From the moment prehistoric man started using stone tools in his daily life, making it yourself was a way of life. Over the centuries, as construction techniques developed to become more complex and simple tools, they became sophisticated machines, the job of the amateur handyman has become quite difficult. Typically, in an effort to cut costs on a home improvement project, the modern DIY has their hands full with building codes, user manuals, and building instructions. With that being said, most home improvement projects are not only doable, they can possibly be done better if you are diligent enough and prepared to work. Other projects, however, are too complicated for the average construction enthusiast and should only be left to the professionals. Basement shoring is such a project.
What sets the basement base apart from other home improvement projects you ask? To answer that question in a nutshell, pretty much everything. There is not a single thing about going down your basement that is overwhelming. Taken separately, all aspects of the job are manageable and can be handled. However, collectively, the process of going down a basement for additional headroom can turn into a major headache.
Before you can start any manual work, you will need to obtain a building permit. The nature of the project is such that if done incorrectly you may end up losing your home altogether. This is because when a house is built, it is designed to withstand the forces of nature that act on it. Beyond the walls of your basement is not only the floor, its pressure. If you go into this project not knowing where to dig, how to dig, and how much to dig, soon your foundation walls will slide out from under your main floor and your kitchen will be in your basement. To make sure your basement can even be lowered, you will need to hire an engineer. You can always shop around and find a good deal, or maybe you have a friend who can make the plans for you, however, most of the time, a contractor that supports the basement will be able to provide you with engineering services at a discounted price. .
Once you have your building permit, you can get started. Oh wait, you don’t have the necessary equipment. Consider this, to dismantle your current concrete floor you will need the following: a conveyor system, a garbage can or two or three, a power generator, and a jackhammer to connect it. Although not impossible to obtain, the rental rates for you will be much higher than a contractor’s, and the contractor you choose for basement shoring likely already has these tools in their inventory.
Getting the right tools is a matter of patience and organization. However, once you have them, everything becomes much more serious. The tools you will be working with when you go down your basement are power tools, and yes, they are powerful. Your DIY basement bra project may fall apart for the simple reason that you can’t handle the jackhammer. However, we will give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, if you’re even considering trying such an ambitious project on your own, it means you’re a skilled handyman with at least some construction knowledge.
Now that you have everything you need and know how to use all the tools, consider the process. This is the first time you have tried such a project. Your knowledge is likely to be limited to books and, even more likely, to the Internet. If you lower your basement by following the steps in a “How to” guide to shore up your basement, you are probably better off than if you were following the advice on the internet. Be careful to base the success of your project on shaky words found on the Internet; Like your base with insufficient angle of support, it can slide under you. Professionals who make their living supporting the basement know the ins and outs of their trade, have faced various difficulties and have the knowledge to get out of them.
Finally, if the above reasons don’t quench your thirst for extraordinary home improvement feats, think about time. Most likely, you work a full-time job and try to do this project in your spare time. This simple fact will turn a week-long project into a month-long odyssey full of rental fees and unexpected hardships. There is nothing wrong with doing it yourself, but like everything in life, you should approach it in moderation.
