Hire the contractor who can put two quotes on the same page. In Toronto, one bid arrives in dollars per square foot and another in dollars per linear foot of wall. Both can be real. They are not comparable until waterproofing, the new slab, drawings, and the permit sit in the same column. Typical 2026 structure is $70–$100 per square foot, or $300–$600 per linear foot of foundation. See the quote breakdown.
This page is a vetting list, not a popularity contest. Ask for paper. Pass on a price that cannot name the engineer, the permit holder, or the pit sequence.
Key Takeaways
- Compare scope first, then the number.
- Ask for the same job in square feet and linear feet.
- WSIB clearance, liability insurance, and a named permit holder are not optional.
- On a semi, ask how the party wall is sequenced before you sign.
The Checklist We Would Use If We Were Hiring
| Ask for | What a complete answer looks like | Pass if |
|---|---|---|
| WSIB clearance | A current clearance certificate, not a promise to get one | They say the crew is “independent” |
| Liability insurance | A certificate that covers structural excavation | Coverage is “in the works” |
| Engineer | Who stamps the drawings and whether that cost is in the bid | Photos-only “we’ve done hundreds” |
| Permit holder | Whose name is on the City application | You are told to apply yourself with no package |
| Price units | Square foot and linear foot on the same scope | One number with no inclusions list |
| Party wall | Pit sequence and neighbour notice on a semi | They treat a shared wall like a detached house |
| Warranty | Written labour and materials, what it excludes | A verbal “lifetime” with no document |
Stronghold Underpinning carries the insurance, includes a structural engineer consultation valued at $3,000, and itemizes quotes so you can line them up against anyone else. We do not excavate until the permit is issued. Read how the house lives through the job before you pick a start date.
Why Two Honest Quotes Still Disagree
Underpinning follows the wall. Some contractors price the perimeter. Others price the floor plate. A 900 sq. ft. basement can look cheaper per square foot and more expensive per linear foot, or the reverse, depending on what was left out.
Ask every bidder to list:
- Staged excavation and new footings
- New slab, gravel, and vapour barrier
- Interior drain, membrane, and sump — in or out
- Drawings, permit fees, and inspections
- Utility moves and a water-shutoff window
If one bid is tens of thousands lower, it is usually missing a line, not finding a secret method. Sometimes the honest job is not underpinning. Waterproofing alone, or bench footing, can be the better fit.
Permits, Drawings, and Who Owns the Risk
The City of Toronto Residential Underpinning guide is not optional reading for the contractor. You want the company that already builds to that package. On a semi, add the party-wall conversation from our semi-detached underpinning guide.
Unpermitted work is a sale problem and an insurance problem. A contractor who offers to “keep it quiet” is telling you who will own the repair later.
Site Visit, Not a Phone Number
Ceiling height, access, soil, and a shared footing do not show up in a texted photo. A serious quote comes after someone measures the basement. If you are choosing between lowering methods, start with what underpinning is and how floors are lowered in Toronto.
Get an Itemized Quote You Can Compare
Call 647-360-6033 or use the contact form. We will walk the house, write the scope in square feet and linear feet, and tell you if the job should be bench footing or waterproofing instead.
FAQs
How do I compare two underpinning quotes in Toronto?
Put both bids on the same scope. Ask for square-foot and linear-foot prices, and confirm waterproofing, new slab, drawings, permit, and inspections are in or out. A cheaper number that omits the drain is not cheaper.
What licences and insurance should an underpinning contractor carry?
Ask for WSIB clearance, liability insurance that covers structural excavation, and who stamps the drawings. The permit holder should be named. A 25-year labour-and-materials warranty is only useful if the company will still answer the phone.
Should I pick the lowest underpinning bid?
Not if the scope is thinner. The honest job includes staged pits, engineering, a City permit, and a written plan for a party wall on a semi. The lowest number often skips one of those.
Do I need a structural engineer before I hire?
Yes. Underpinning is designed, not guessed from photos. Stronghold includes a structural engineer consultation with the quote so you are not paying twice to find out the method.
How do I check that the work will be permitted?
Ask who applies, whose name is on the permit, and how inspections are booked. The City of Toronto Residential Underpinning guide is the package a serious contractor already knows.