Legal Basements London
Legal Basements London specializes in legal basement apartment conversions, underpinning and waterproofing for homeowners in London, Ontario. The company manages the full process from permit applications and 3D design through final inspection, backed by 15 years of experience.
Strengths
- Manages the full legal conversion process, permits, design, construction and final inspection, in-house.
- Uses a fixed-price model rather than open-ended time-and-materials billing.
- Backs every project with a two-year workmanship warranty.
- Offers underpinning to raise ceiling height, not just finishing within existing basement height.
Considerations
- Legal basement conversions involve municipal permitting, so timelines depend partly on the city's approval process.
- Underpinning is a larger structural undertaking than standard basement finishing and priced accordingly.
- Best suited to homeowners specifically pursuing code compliance or rental income, not a purely cosmetic refresh.
Best for
- Homeowners wanting a legal secondary suite for rental income
- Bungalows needing underpinning for full ceiling height
- Basement waterproofing paired with a finishing project
- Anyone wanting fixed pricing on a basement renovation
What They Do
Legal Basements London converts basements into legal secondary apartments, a process that involves underpinning to raise ceiling height where needed, waterproofing, egress window installation, and full basement renovation to meet Ontario Building Code requirements. The company also handles standalone basement finishing, bathrooms and foundation repair for homeowners not pursuing a legal suite. Fifteen years of experience sits behind a process built specifically around code compliance.
How They Work
The company manages the project from permit applications and 3D design renderings through to final inspections, which matters because legal basement conversions require municipal sign-off at multiple stages. A fixed-price model is used rather than open-ended time-and-materials billing, and every project carries a two-year workmanship warranty. This combination is aimed at making a legally complex renovation feel predictable for the homeowner.
What Homeowners Say
One customer said the company handled everything from permits to final inspection, and that their legal basement apartment is now rented and generating income, calling the process smooth and professional throughout. Another homeowner with a 1950s bungalow had only a six-foot basement ceiling before underpinning and now has a full eight-foot ceiling and a legal apartment, which they said was worth every penny.
Where They Work
Legal Basements London serves London, St. Thomas and Woodstock. Homeowners outside this footprint should confirm coverage before requesting a quote.
Services
- Legal Basement Apartments
- Basement Underpinning
- Basement Waterproofing
- Basement Finishing & Renovation
- Egress Windows
- Basement Bathrooms
- Foundation Repair
What customers say
“They handled everything from permits to final inspection. Our legal basement apartment is now rented and generating great income. The whole process was smooth and professional.”
“Our 1950s bungalow had a 6-foot basement ceiling. After underpinning, we have a full 8-foot ceiling and a beautiful legal apartment. Worth every penny.”
Questions to ask before you hire
Tailored to what this business does. Bring them to the site visit.
- 1.What is included in the fixed price, and what would trigger a change order?
- 2.Who submits and manages the permit applications, and how long does approval typically take?
- 3.Does my basement need underpinning to meet legal ceiling height requirements?
- 4.What does the two-year workmanship warranty cover specifically?
About this award and business
What does the Service Excellence Award mean?
It means Legal Basements London was selected as the top business in the Basement Finishing category for London through an independent editorial review of public information and customer feedback. No business pays a fee to be selected.
What makes a basement apartment legal in Ontario?
A legal basement apartment generally needs to meet Ontario Building Code requirements for ceiling height, egress windows, fire separation and permits, which is the process this company manages from application through final inspection.
Do they only do legal conversions?
No. The company also lists standalone basement finishing, basement bathrooms and foundation repair for homeowners not pursuing a legal secondary suite.
What is underpinning?
Underpinning lowers a basement's floor to increase ceiling height, which the company offers for homes with existing ceilings too low for a legal or comfortable finished basement.
Service area
London, ON
Award statement
Legal Basements London is the 2026 Service Excellence Award winner for Best Basement Finishing in London, ON.
Selected by editorial review. No fee was charged to be considered or listed. How winners are chosen.