Basement Force is a specialist in basement conversions in London and surrounding areas, offering British homes, real estate, and commercial properties the opportunity to expand their living and working spaces. Undertaking an excavation project to construct a new basement typically involves extensive work. We also specialise in completing above ground structural works, often called superstructural work, alongside below ground floor structural works as part of our basement construction projects.
Our dedicated team is skilled in constructing basements or cellars, transforming your property and taking it to a whole new level (literally). We use advanced waterproofing systems and insulated concrete formwork, ensuring a superior quality finish for the extra living space provided by adding a basement.
Suppose your basement room project leads to changes. These changes could be the creation of a new living area or a significant alteration to the exterior of your house. In that case, you'll need to obtain planning permission.
Our comprehensive services cover every stage of the project, from the initial site investigation to the final construction phase:
Site Investigation:
Every successful project begins with a thorough site investigation. Our team of experts inspect the ground conditions, assess existing structures' stability, and identifies potential challenges, such as the local water table, that could impact the basement construction. Leveraging our vast knowledge of geotechnical engineering and environmental factors, we anticipate and mitigate risks, ensuring a smooth and efficient building process.
Sequencing and Method Statements:
The orchestration of building a basement involves a complex sequence of tasks. Our team formulates detailed sequencing and method statements to provide clear, step-by-step instructions for each construction phase. This systematic approach promotes safe, orderly, and efficient progress, helping to keep your project on schedule and within budget.
Temporary Works Design & Excavation:
Temporary works, encompassing scaffolding, propping, shoring, and shielding, are integral to any successful construction project. Our engineers rigorously design these structures to provide sturdy support during excavation. This careful planning minimises disruption, maximises project efficiency, and ensures adherence to stringent safety standards.
Propping, Jacking, Stooling & Shoring:
During construction or modification works, the stability of existing structures is paramount. Basement Force is committed to maintaining the integrity of your property while ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the project. Our engineers employ a range of techniques to support and stabilise structures, such as:
- Propping; using temporary supports, typically made of steel or timber, to hold up a structure or part of a structure during construction. Props are designed to transfer loads. This load transfer is from the existing structure to the ground or another support system. This ensures stability and prevents damage or collapse.
- Jacking; the process of lifting and supporting heavy structures or elements using hydraulic or mechanical jacks. This technique is used often. It is used to lift a building or structure for various reasons. These include replacing or repairing foundations, installing underpinnings, and creating extra space beneath the structure. Our engineers carefully calculate the load-bearing capacity and distribution to ensure jacking systems' safe and efficient application.
- Stooling; the technique used to support masonry or brickwork during the construction or renovation of a building. This method is useful when creating openings in load-bearing walls or altering existing structures. Temporary stools are placed beneath the masonry to distribute the load and prevent collapse or damage evenly.
- Shoring; the process of providing temporary support to structures or excavations during construction, renovation, or repair works. Shoring systems can include vertical, horizontal, or inclined supports from various materials, such as steel, timber, or concrete. These systems help to prevent structural failure, maintain stability, and ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding environment.
Our experienced engineers meticulously design and implement propping, jacking, stooling, and shoring techniques to safeguard the structural integrity of your property during the construction process. By doing so, we prevent structural damage, minimise disruption, and guarantee the safety of everyone involved, allowing your project to proceed smoothly and efficiently.
Tunnelling:
One of the core services we offer at Basement Force is our expertise in tunnelling. Allowing us to create additional functional space beneath existing structures, offering you a unique opportunity to expand your property without changing its surface or compromising its structural integrity. Our experienced engineers ensure that the tunnelling process will not affect the structural integrity of your building. We meticulously plan and implement our tunnelling works to avoid any impact on the stability of your property, ensuring that the surface of the building remains unaffected.
These advanced techniques ensure safety and accuracy by utilising cutting-edge tunnelling methods in our construction process, allowing us to work beneath existing structures without impacting their stability. The tunnelling methods we use are selected based on the soil conditions, the depth of the basement, and the proximity to existing structures.
We can transform previously unused below-ground space into functional areas tailored to your needs. Whether you dream of a home gym, a luxurious home cinema, or extra storage space, tunnelling allows us to create these spaces beneath your property.
We are committed to upholding the highest safety standards during our tunnelling process. As part of the construction process, our team takes all necessary precautions to limit the risk of potential hazards. To guarantee your project's legality and safety, we ensure all tunnelling projects comply with local laws and codes.
Reinforced Concrete Foundations:
The durability and longevity of a building rely heavily on its foundation. Our team specialises in constructing reinforced concrete foundations to ensure your new basement is robust and enduring. We promise lasting support and stability for your structural enhancements.
Not only do we add a basement to your existing building, but we can also engineer solutions to bring natural light into your newly created space.
Whether you're considering a basement build in the heart of London City Centre or looking to add extra space to your suburban homes, we tailor our below-ground structural works to suit your unique needs, employing the latest technologies and adhering to industry best practices.
Contact us today for a consultation regarding renovating basements in the UK.
