Abstract: A method of installing a pile beneath the foundations of a building comprises forming a hole, preferably at a small angle to the vertical, through the foundation driving a first pile casing section through said hole into the ground beneath the foundation with a percussive machine located at or near floor or ground level of the building, applying to the end of the first pile casing section a further pile casing section and driving the composite pile casing into the ground by a percussive machine located no lower than the floor or ground level of the building, fitting a further percussive machine having a maximum external diameter no greater than the maximum external diameter of the foundation hole and driving said casing further into the ground with said further percussive machine following the casing into the ground, completing said further driving operation before said further percussive machine penetrates completely below floor or ground level, withdrawing said further percussive machine and thereafter inse