Maximum General Contracting Inc.

Foundations
Toronto ON M3B 1K4
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Foundations
Maximum General Contracting Inc.
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Reviews for Maximum General Contracting Inc.

Average customer rating:
9.8 10 (53 reviews)

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Spyros in Toronto
Spyros in Toronto
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement lowering and underpinning, beam replacement.

I hired John's company to underpin my foundation walls, and to replace the old beam and columns. The new basement is at 8ft depth. They also provided engineering (drawings and permits) service, through a civil engineer they works with. They were extremely professional, at what I believe was a competitive price. The company has been around for almost 20 years, and you can tell they have underpinned lots and lots of basements.
The showed up every single day at 7AM and finished on time. All workers were all experienced in underpinning. They were excellent in communication, and if any issues came up they would deal with them immediately. Louis the foreman was outstanding. They had underpinned a couple of houses in my neighbourhood, and I heard great reviews. My experience was just as good. I recommend them to anyone, with no reservations.

Approximate cost of services:
$58,000.00
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Company Response

Hi spyros it was a pleasure to work for you thank you for everything hope you enjoy your new space.

Bobby
Bobby
2 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Underpinning in East York

I had John and his crew underpin my basement and build an 8' addition. His price was very competitive and his foreman Jesse was always there to answer any questions I had. The work was completed on time as discussed and it was great dealing with these guys. This is a family run business and they have been doing it for a very long time. Highly recommended them if you want pros working on your foundation.

Bobby

Approximate cost of services:
$48,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you Bobby glad we could be there to help.

ctharrenos in Toronto
ctharrenos in Toronto
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement Underpinning

John and his team were very professional and did a wonderful job underpinning our basement. Our basement underpin was complicated because we have a row house, connected to the neighbours on both sides, but everything went smoothly. Our job was also complicated because we have a tight parking space in the rear with difficult access through a tight lane-way, but John and his team made it work with no complaints. Thank you for the great work John!

Approximate cost of services:
$45,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
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Company Response

Thank you so much

Brent Jorgens in Toronto
Brent Jorgens in Toronto
1 review Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement lowering

I am very pleased I chose John and his team at MGC to lower my basement. Johns communication was excellent as is the quality of the work. John went above and beyond in making suggestions that reduced costs and resulted in a better final design that included both underpinning and benching. MGC has also been extremely helpful in advising and assisting in additional work items that I am doing as part of a full gut reno of a 1910 home. Can't recommend them highly enough!

Approximate cost of services:
$37,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
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Company Response

Thank you

Amy in Toronto
Amy in Toronto
3 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement underpinning

We hired Maximum General Contracting to underpin our basement. Project was completed early and on budget . We are thoroughly pleased with the quality of the work and professionalism of the contractors. I can recommend Maximum General Contracting without hesitation or reservation.

Approximate cost of services:
$50,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement excavation and underpinning

Was very pleased with both the quality and professionalism of Maximum General. This work was part of a complete gut to a 1923 building. John, the owner, was very professional and accommodating, meeting with the GC, Architect and Owner on-site a number of times. Would definitely hire them again.

Approximate cost of services:
$70,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
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Company Response

Thank you

Kim Annette Robinson in Toronto
Kim Annette Robinson in Toronto
1 review Toronto, ON
8/10

Underpinning in Basement

The underpinning was done in a timely manner with John's men showing up every day and committed to getting the job done.
One of the best prices for solid work for basement underpinning.
Although the incidentals can be a little pricey, the work is done professionally.

Review has 1 previous version
Approximate cost of services:
$38,000.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Thank you

Andrew S in Toronto
Andrew S in Toronto
2 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Dig Deep

Scope of work: Existing 5'6" clear. Underpinned to 6' clear. New steel beam installed as existing wooden beam had been compromised. Relocated laundry room and washroom as well. Sump pit, pump and weeping tile. Backwater / backflow preventer installation.

John and his crew showed up bright and early every day (7am-3pm) and got the job done on time and on budget. Worked on weekends when possible. Good communication throughout, no surprises honest and hard working. Kept job site as clean as they could. I am a a architect and interviewed 4 contractors and was recommended Maximum General by my structural engineer - Effectively double my usable space in my East York bungalow - highly recommended.

Approximate cost of services:
$46,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you

Private User
Private User
Private User reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

So happy we hired them

We found these guys on Homestars and we are so happy we hired them. They started on time and are working hard everyday and on weekends. John has been a pleasure to work with and I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Approximate cost of services:
$60,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you

Kelly
Kelly
3 reviews Toronto, ON
10/10

Basement underpinning

We interviewed 8 contractors to dig out and underpin our basement. John's estimate was the cheapest and he was one of the best communicators: quick to respond, clear and informative.

Jesse, the Supervisor delivered the project within the timeline and to the budget. There were no surprises. These are honest hardworking guys and we recommend them highly.

Approximate cost of services:
$50,000.00
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Company Response

Thank you

The reviews on this page are the subjective opinion of the Author and not of HomeStars Inc.

More about Maximum General Contracting Inc.

More about Maximum General Contracting:
Basement Lowering
Lowering your basement will be done in the A,B,C method what this means is first we dig out all the A's maximum 4 feet wide, we then form and pour concrete 25 mpa. After that stage we will install 2” inches of dry pack grout. We then go on to do B and C in the same procedure. All stages are inspected by city Inspectors. This is for the underpinning method.

Waterproofing
External Method
Waterproofing can be done either internally, or applied to the exterior of the structure. The exterior waterproofing method is the preferred and better method of handling waterproofing because it does not allow water to seep through the foundation wall once completed. The external method is done by digging down to the foundation. The wall is then wire-brushed and cleaned. The foundation wall is then parged and a rubber coating is applied to the entire exterior "below ground" surface. Finally, it is completed with a waterproof membrane applied over the rubber coating. Once this is completed, 4" diameter weeping tiles are then installed in a trench surrounding the entire building. The weeping tiles are set level with the bottom of the footings, covered with 10" to 12" of 3/4" gravel to assist with drainage. The trench is then back-filled.

Internal Method
If the internal method is used, we cut and remove the floor slabs approximately 12" away from the wall. Earth is then removed right down to the bottom of the footings. We supply and install the waterproof membrane on the foundation wall. Weeping tile is then installed, level with the footing and terminated to a sump-pump pit. The weeping tiles are covered with gravel before concrete is poured over top to create a new basement floor.

Underpinning
Underpinning is the process of strengthening and stabilizing the foundation of an existing building or other structure. Underpinning is accomplished by extending the foundation in depth or in breadth so it either rests on a stronger soil stratum or distributes its load across a greater area. Use of micro piles [1] and jet grouting are common methods in underpinning. An alternative to underpinning is the strengthening of the soil by the introduction of a grout. All of these processes are generally elaborate.
Concrete
Concrete, structural masonry material made by mixing broken stone or gravel with sand, cement, and water and allowing the mixture to harden into a solid mass. The cement is the chemically active element, or matrix; the sand and stone are the inert elements, or aggregate. Concrete is adaptable to widely varied structural needs, is available practically anywhere, is fire resistant, and can be used by semiskilled workers.

Brick and Block Work
A wet brick and block build is constructed with a block built internal skin and cavity followed by a brick external facing, remain the preferred building method of self-builders. Brickwork masonry is produced when a bricklayer uses bricks and mortar to build up structures such as walls, bridges and chimneys. (Brickwork is also used to finish openings such as doors or windows in buildings made of other materials.) Where the bricks are to remain fully visible, as opposed to being covered up by plaster or stucco, this is known as face-work.

Additions and Extensions
In order to do an addition you must first dig and remove the earth down to the level of the new footings which will be formed and poured with concrete, then the cement blocks can be install for the new addition ( you can also pour the foundation wall with concrete)

Bench Footing
Bench footing is done in the 1 to 1 ratio for every 1 foot down you must go out 1 foot. We then go on to install 3” inches of 3/4 inch gravel with weeping tile around perimeter of basement which is terminated to sum pump pit. The pit has a pump which pumps out natural earth water out to side or back of home. The next step is to pour 4” inches of concrete for the slab.

Main Drains / Sump Pumps
The Main Drains / Sump pump are used to remove water that has accumulated in the sump pump pit. A sump pump pit, commonly found in the home basement, is simply a hole to collect water. The water may enter via the perimeter drains of a basement waterproofing system, funneling into the pit, or may arrive because of rain or because of natural ground water, if the basement is below the water table level.
Plans & Permits

Maximum General Contracting will arrange for all required permits to do the work. Should you also require plans to be drawn up, we have an engineer capable of handling all your planning needs.
Radiant Floor Heating
Many of our clients ask about Radiant Floor Heating and we agree that this is an excellent idea because it also helps to keep the basement dry and provides a warm, comfortable floor on which to walk.

CATEGORIES
Foundations
WEBSITE
http://www.mgcunderpinning.com
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Yes
WORKERS COMPENSATION
Yes
WRITTEN CONTRACT
Yes
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