Residential Piled Underpinning for a Subsiding House Extension Doncaster

When a residential extension begins to suffer from foundation movement or subsidence, underpinning can provide a structural solution by transferring the load of the building onto stronger ground below.

Westbuild Piling was contacted by a private homeowner in Doncaster after a single-storey rear extension had experienced subsidence. The extension had originally been constructed on poor ground conditions, resulting in movement to the structure.

The homeowner had been referred to Westbuild by their structural engineer and wanted an experienced residential underpinning contractor capable of designing and delivering the complete solution.

Why Was Underpinning Required?

The property owner was preparing to sell the house, but the subsidence affecting the extension needed to be resolved before future purchasers would be able to obtain a mortgage.

Before appointing Westbuild, the homeowner took particular care to select the right piling contractor and obtained positive references from two previous Westbuild clients who had experienced similar foundation problems.

Following assessment of the project, a piled underpinning solution was designed to stabilise the extension and transfer its structural loads through the poor ground onto stronger load-bearing strata below.

The Residential Underpinning Solution

The works involved the installation of 24 steel-cased piles, each 150mm in diameter, driven through the made ground to a depth of approximately four metres.

Reinforced concrete ground beams were then constructed across the piles to support the existing structure.

This type of piled underpinning can be particularly effective for residential properties where existing foundations have been affected by subsidence, weak ground or variable soil conditions.

The piles effectively bypass the unsuitable near-surface ground and transfer the weight of the building onto more stable ground at depth.

Designed and Installed by Westbuild Piling

The complete underpinning system was designed and detailed in-house by Westbuild Piling before being installed by our own experienced team.

The project was also reviewed by Building Control, who approved the design details and inspected and passed the works at the appropriate stages. Working closely with structural engineers and Building Control is an important part of residential underpinning projects, ensuring that the proposed foundation solution addresses the underlying structural problem correctly.

Completed in Just Over Two Weeks

Work began on 27 July 2026 and was completed on 11 August 2026.

Despite the specialist nature of the project, Westbuild completed the piling, reinforced concrete beams and associated underpinning works within a relatively short programme.

Following completion, the homeowner contacted Westbuild to say how pleased she was with both the speed of the work and the standard of workmanship, and confirmed that she would be happy to recommend the company to future clients.

Residential Underpinning and Foundation Solutions

Foundation movement does not automatically mean that every property requires underpinning. The cause of the movement should first be properly investigated, usually with input from a structural engineer.

Where underpinning is required, Westbuild Piling can provide residential and domestic underpinning solutions for properties affected by subsidence, foundation movement and poor ground conditions.

Our experience includes piled underpinning, residential piling, steel-cased piling and reinforced concrete ground beams, allowing the most appropriate foundation system to be designed for the property and ground conditions.

If you have been advised by a structural engineer that your house, extension or other residential structure may require underpinning, contact Westbuild Piling to discuss the project.