Underpinning specialistsin Torquay & South Devon
Foundation strengthening and ground stabilisation to your engineer’s design. The cause of movement and the appropriate repair should be assessed before work starts.
- Director: 18 years' trade experience
- 11+ years trading in South Devon
- 1-year indemnity-backed guarantee
- Public liability insured
- City & Guilds bricklaying & carpentry
What underpinning does, and when you need it
Underpinning strengthens or deepens the foundations of an existing building so they bear on firmer ground. It's heavy structural work, and it's one of the trades our in-house team specialises in.
It's for homeowners whose property has suffered subsidence or settlement, whose foundations aren't adequate for new loads such as an extension or extra storey, or whose basement is being lowered.
Signs that it may be needed include widening cracks, doors and windows that stick, sloping floors, or a structural survey flagging foundation problems. A structural engineer should always assess the cause before work is designed.
Underpinning works directly beneath a building that people live in, so sequencing and temporary support matter as much as the concrete. That's why it should be carried out by an experienced structural contractor, working from an engineer's design.
What happens if foundation problems are left
Foundation movement may continue if its cause is not addressed. A structural engineer should assess the problem and specify any repair.
Cracks keep growing
Movement spreads cracks through walls, render and plaster, letting in water and weakening the structure.
Damage to the rest of the house
Windows, doors, drains and roof lines can all be pulled out of line as the building moves.
Problems selling or insuring
Unresolved structural movement can make a property harder to sell, mortgage or insure.
Bigger bills later
Repairing a building that has moved for years usually costs far more than stabilising it early.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filling cracks cosmetically without finding the cause.
- Underpinning without an engineer's investigation and design.
- Ignoring leaking drains or nearby trees that may be driving the movement.
- Choosing a contractor without heavy groundworks experience.
Our underpinning process
Step 1
Send your plans
Share your approved drawings and any structural calculations. We'll arrange a free site visit.
Step 2
Clear written price
You get a written quote for the work, with any fit-out priced separately if you want it.
Step 3
Excavation and underpinning
Following the engineer's design, we excavate in carefully sequenced sections beneath the existing foundations and form new supporting foundations, keeping the building supported throughout.
Step 4
Building Control liaison
We can liaise directly with Building Control officers on site where inspections are required.
Step 5
Completion and guarantee
We hand over the finished work, covered by our 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.
What you get with JB Carpentry and Building
Foundation strengthening
Work addresses the foundations themselves, not just the visible cracks.
In-house specialists
Heavy structural underpinning is handled by our own team, not passed on.
Engineer-designed
We work to your structural engineer's design and specification.
Building Control involvement
We liaise with Building Control on site through inspection stages.
Ready for what's next
Strengthened foundations can support future extensions or basement work where designed for it.
Guaranteed workmanship
A 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee covers completed work.
Underpinning methods and ground stabilisation
The right method depends on the ground, the cause of the movement and the building. Your engineer will specify which applies.
Mass concrete underpinning
The traditional method: excavating beneath the existing foundation in short sections, often called pins, and filling with concrete to transfer loads to deeper, firmer ground. Sections are dug in a set sequence so the wall is never left unsupported.
Beam and base underpinning
A reinforced concrete beam is formed to carry the wall and transfer its load to concrete bases at intervals. It suits situations where loads need to be spread or ground conditions vary.
Partial and full underpinning
Sometimes only one corner or wall needs strengthening; sometimes the whole building does. Partial underpinning has to be carefully designed at the junction with the original foundations.
Underpinning for extensions and basements
Not all underpinning is a repair. Deepening foundations to take an extra storey, a new extension tied into the old wall, or a lowered basement floor is common on renovation projects.
Causes of movement
Common causes include clay shrinkage, leaking drains washing out the ground, nearby trees, and poor original foundations. Addressing the cause, such as repairing drains, is often part of the solution.
Related services
Based at 156 Newton Road, Torquay, Devon. Underpinning across Torquay, Paignton, Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, South Hams, Teignbridge.
Planning your underpinning project
Start with approved drawings
We work primarily from existing client plans, so the best time to contact us about underpinning is once your architect's drawings and any planning consent are in place. Drawings fix the size, layout and specification, which helps us define the scope of the quote; any assumptions or changes should be agreed for your project. If your engineer has produced structural calculations, include them too; they set the foundation sizes, steel sections and fixings we'll build to.
Working with your architect and engineer
We regularly work alongside client architects and structural engineers. When a question comes up on site (an unexpected drain, softer ground than expected, or an existing wall that isn't what the drawings assumed), we can discuss it with your designer before proceeding and agree any necessary changes.
Building Control from first dig to sign-off
Most structural work needs Building Regulations approval and inspections at key stages, such as foundation excavations, damp-proof courses, drainage and structural elements before they're covered. We liaise directly with Building Control officers on site throughout the build, where required; inspection timing and approval depend on the relevant Building Control body.
Shell handover or full finish
Our core strength is the ground, the structure and the watertight shell. Once that's complete you have a choice: we can price and manage the internal fit-out (kitchens, bathrooms, doors, decorating) through our vetted specialist trades, or we can hand over at the shell stage so you can bring in your own finishing trades and control that part of the budget yourself. Either way, the structure your finishes sit on has been built by one accountable team.
Building in South Devon conditions
Site conditions vary across South Devon. Sloping plots, restricted access, existing drains, coastal exposure and older structures may affect your underpinning project. Your architect or engineer can specify the measures required, and we can discuss the site conditions and agreed scope when preparing a quote.
What happens after you get in touch
Call Jake or send your drawings through the contact page. We'll look over the plans, arrange a free site visit at a time that suits you, Monday to Saturday, and walk the site with you to understand access, ground conditions and how you want the project finished. You'll then receive a clear, written quote setting out what's included, so you can compare it properly and decide with confidence.
One team, managed start to finish
A core in-house team of six handles groundworks, brickwork, blockwork and structural carpentry, growing to as many as 15 with long-standing subcontractors on larger projects. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of hands-on trade experience and the company has been trading across South Devon for over 11 years. You get one point of contact, clear communication and strict quality control on every stage.
Want to know more about the team? Read about us or go back to the homepage.
Underpinning questions
Got your plans?Get a clear price.
Free site visit and a written quote. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of trade experience. All completed work carries a 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.