What is benching a basement?

Author: Kayden Kulas  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Basement benching (aka bench-footing) is another way to add height to your basement. Instead of excavating under the existing basement foundation, a bench or ledge is built around the inside perimeter of the existing walls. Then, we lower the basement foundation within the benched space.

How much is benching a basement?

Basement foundation benching cost

Foundation benching costs $20,000 to $35,000. Benching involves building a concrete ledge or "bench" around the basement's inner walls, lowering the foundation within the benched space, and pouring a new concrete floor at a lower depth.

What is benching in concrete?

Not to be confused with underpinning, benching or bench footing refers to adding ceiling height without excavating under the existing foundation. This form of lowering the basement sees a concrete bench constructed around the inner border of the existing basement walls.

What are the pros and cons of bench footing a basement?

Bench Footing

Pros: Less intrusive and potentially cheaper than full underpinning. It's a good option for basements needing a moderate lowering depth and doesn't require extensive excavation. Cons: May not achieve the desired lowering depth, especially for basements requiring significant floor level reduction.

What is the most expensive part of finishing a basement?

A: One of the most expensive parts of finishing a basement is doing foundation repairs and any waterproofing, electrical work, and additional framing or insulation.

BENCH FOOTING Explained

Can you finish a basement for $10,000?

Average Cost to Remodel a Basement

Remodeling a basement costs $5,000-$10,000 on average, so you can easily finish your basement for $10,000 or less. Typically, this cost includes: Adding walls. New flooring.

How much does it cost to finish a 1500 sq ft basement?

Basement finishing costs about $7 to $23 per square foot, so the larger the space, the more you'll spend to turn it into a cozy den or welcoming guest suite. A smaller, 500-square-foot basement will cost about $3,500 to $11,500 total, while a large, 1,500-square-foot basement will cost $10,500 to $34,500 to finish.

What is the hardest part of finishing a basement?

In this article, we'll consider some of the common basement finishing challenges and how to address them.
  • Cracks in the Foundation. ...
  • Sunlight and Lighting Fixtures. ...
  • Low Ceiling Height. ...
  • Insulation for the Wall and Floors. ...
  • Ventilation and Energy Efficiency. ...
  • Bottom-Line.

What is the purpose of benching in construction?

Benching is a method of protecting employees from cave-ins by excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or a series of horizontal levels or steps, usually with vertical or near-vertical surfaces between levels.

Is a slab or basement cheaper?

When compared to full basement foundations, both slab and crawl spaces are less expensive. These types of foundations are also suitable for many parts of the country. What is a Slab Foundation? Concrete is poured four to eight inches deep on a level surface with thicker concrete around the perimeter.

How to bench a basement?

Instead of excavating beneath the foundation, benching involves creating a ledge around the perimeter of the basement. The foundation is then lowered within this ledge, and a concrete slab is poured at the desired depth. Although benching is less costly than underpinning, it might not provide as strong of a foundation.

What is the difference between shoring and benching?

Benefits of Trench Shoring

In sloping the walls of the trench slope at an angle so that they do not cave-in. Benching or terracing is a method in which the sides of the trench are formed in steps in order to prevent them from collapsing. Sloping does not require any additional equipment.

How much does a 1000 square foot basement cost?

The national average for finishing a basement of 1,000 square feet is between $7,000–$23,000, depending mostly on the following factors. Size of basement: The larger your basement space, the more it will cost to finish. State of basement: If the basement is already partially finished, the total cost may be less.

How to reinforce foundation when lowering basement?

Unlike underpinning, where the structure is reinforced directly underneath the existing footing, with the bench-footing method, the structure is reinforced by stepping inward from the foundation walls, then digging down to the desired depth, and constructing new concrete footings for the new deeper floor.

What are the OSHA rules for benching?

As a general rule, the bottom vertical height of the trench must not exceed 4 ft (1.2 m) for the first bench. Subsequent benches may be up to a maximum of 5 ft (1.5 m) vertical in Type A soil and 4 ft (1.2 m) in Type B soil to a total trench depth of 20 ft (6.0 m).

What are the deadliest excavation hazards?

A cave-in occurs when walls of an excavation collapse. Cave-ins can be deadly. Wall failures often occur suddenly, with little or no time for the worker to react. The weight of the soil crushes and twists the body, causing death or serious injury in a matter of minutes.

What is the least expensive way to finish a basement?

Covering the Walls

Covering cinder block or plywood walls with drywall gets costly quickly. To save money, limit the use of drywall or look for other options to cover a portion of the walls. Again, paint is the quickest and cheapest way to make a basement look more inviting.

Why do builders not finish basements?

So, you see, leaving basements unfinished isn't a builder's oversight, but a thoughtful strategy. It's about balancing cost-effectiveness with future customization potential. It's a way to manage dampness, ensure structural safety, and respond to market trends and homeowner preferences.

What is the most expensive part of building a basement?

The most expensive part of finishing a basement is typically the labor costs associated with plumbing and electrical installations. Hiring licensed professionals to ensure that these systems are safe and compliant with building codes can be costly but are vital to the success of the project.

How long does it take to finish a 500 sq ft basement?

There are several factors that come into play in determining how long a basement finish will take to complete. However, it normally ranges from 4-8 weeks from the start of the project.

Do finished basements add value to a house?

In the US, finishing a basement will give you a return of 70 to 75% of your investment. That means if you spend $10,000 on improvements, the value of your property will increase by about $7,000. Although you may not recoup 100 percent of your expenses, that's a good return on investment for most home sellers.

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