There have been a lot of stories in the news recently about the emerging trend for property owners to create “mega basements” underneath their homes. As living space and land in London becomes more scarce and sought after, some people are taking the decision to extend their homes underground rather than outwards with the addition of new subterranean levels. In many cases, these basements have more than one storey and are as big or even bigger than the property above, and are used for countless different purposes, including gyms, garages, and extra living space.
These developments have caused concern for many in London, as neighbours worry about the structural safety of the basements and have concerns that the integrity of the neighbouring properties could be affected during excavation work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out unannounced safety checks on numerous domestic basement projects throughout three London boroughs, and it was found that approximately half of them failed to live up to required safety standards. Many of them were immediately closed down due to the danger they presented. Many boroughs have already introduced rules restricting new basements to one storey.
The option to create a basement for extra space is not limited to the owners of luxury London properties, but whether you are planning to add a small and simple basement space, a large and complex one, or renovating an existing basement, it is always absolutely crucial that the work is supported with appropriate propping systems to keep the structure stable and secure. As temporary works specialists, this is what we are dedicated to. We are committed to providing durable, practical and effective solutions for structural propping within renovation, with careful planning, design and use of the strongest materials.
If you are embarking on a basement construction project, the last thing you want is for the people in and around the property to be put in danger, or for the work to have to stop because of safety concerns. When you are working with our highly experienced team, you can be confident that your project will benefit from expert knowledge and the strongest propping and needling systems available.