We help landlords and investors secure homes with engineered foundation solutions. Our team offers a free assessment and a fixed-price quote so you can act with confidence.
We are Underpinning Melbourne — Structural Preservation Specialists with 20+ years’ experience. We prioritise safety, VBA-compliant certification and clear engineered plans that target the root issues in foundations.
Before any work begins, our team inspects the site and soil behaviour. We coordinate engineering reports and permits to keep your investment compliant and protected.
Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au. Book a free quote and a no-obligation assessment today.
Key Takeaways
- We deliver engineered solutions that stabilise your home and protect asset value.
- Free assessment and a transparent fixed-price quote after detailed site review.
- Our team assesses soil, site and foundations before recommending work.
- We manage engineering reports, permits and VBA-compliant certification.
- Minimal disruption programs aim to keep tenants in place where feasible.
- Twenty years’ experience with concrete underpinning, reblocking and screw piling.
- Contact Chris for fast prioritisation of urgent issues and a clear plan.
Structural preservation for investment properties, done right
We combine technical rigour with clear communication to safeguard the structure of your home.
Our mission: safeguarding homes with an engineering-first approach
We begin with a clear engineering logic. This prevents guesswork and targets root foundation movement quickly.
VBA-registered, insured and council-compliant methods for peace of mind
We are fully VBA registered and insured, and we use council-compliant methods that protect the building and occupants.
- Comprehensive assessment and a transparent fixed-price quote after site review.
- Our team plans works around tenant access to reduce disruption.
- We tailor underpinning methods to soil and foundation conditions.
- Fast action on priority issues to limit further damage.
- Twenty years’ experience with industry leading practice and honest advice.
| Aspect | Benefit | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering-led assessment | Accurate diagnosis | Right work, less rework |
| Council-compliant methods | Regulatory peace of mind | Certified completion |
| Tenant-focused staging | Minimal interruption | Continued occupancy where safe |
Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Underpinning for rental property Melbourne
We focus on safety, clear answers and quiet work so tenants stay comfortable.
We act when you see warning signs. Early checks save time and reduce damage.
Landlord priorities: safety, minimal disruption and tenant continuity
Our team puts tenant safety first. We stage the job to keep disruption low.
We give a free, no‑obligation structural inspection and a fixed‑price quote.
When to act: cracks, sticky doors, uneven floors and sinking slabs
Look for wall cracks, sticky doors, gaps in skirting and sagging floors at the house edge.
These issues can mean the foundation is moving. Early assessment keeps repairs simpler.
- Prioritise tenant safety and continuity while stabilising the home and foundation.
- We identify soil problems that trigger movement and explain the need underpinning clearly.
- After stabilisation we finish repairs, including crack stitching and surface work.
| Sign | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| New cracks | Book inspection | Smaller repairs, lower cost |
| Sticky doors | Assess levels | Targeted stabilisation |
| Sinking slab | Soil testing | Engineered solution |
Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Choosing the right underpinning method for your property
The correct method matches ground conditions, foundation type and long‑term performance goals.
We assess soil, site access and structural risk before recommending work.
Traditional concrete vs modern resin injection
Concrete underpinning uses excavation, concrete and steel to support footings. It suits major movement and edge beams where deep support is needed.
Resin injection uses 16 mm holes to inject expanding geopolymer. It fills voids, densifies soil and can re‑level slabs with survey‑monitored lifts.
Where screw piling fits
Screw piling reaches deeper strata. Use it on unstable ground, poor access or when refusal depths are required.
Restumping and reblocking
Restumping and reblocking suit timber floors and ageing stumps. They restore levels and replace degraded supports.
- We recommend methods based on soil, foundation behaviour and site access.
- Structural engineers set design criteria to protect your house and tenants.
- We explain excavation needs, noise profile and long‑term performance.
| Method | When used | Site impact |
|---|---|---|
| Resin injection | Voids, weak ground, slab re‑level | Low excavation, fast, monitored lifts |
| Concrete & steel | Significant movement, edge beams | Excavation, higher disruption, durable |
| Screw piling | Deep unstable soils, poor access | Minimal spoil, deep support, robust |
| Restumping | Timber floors, failing stumps | Targeted access, local works |
How modern resin injection works
Modern resin injection stabilises slabs with minimal excavation and fast site returns.
We start with a targeted site inspection and soil profiling. This defines moisture levels and the real cause of movement.
Locating services and precise drilling
GPR mapping protects underground services before any drilling. We then drill 16 mm holes to the designed depth, usually up to 1,500 mm.
Controlled injection, monitored lifts and finish
Two-part expanding resin is injected through ports. It fills voids, densifies soil and can lift the slab in controlled stages.
Survey equipment records lifts in real time. We cut ports, re-grout holes and clean the site on completion. You receive level records and certification.
- Targeted inspection and optional soil testing to set the design.
- GPR mapping, precise 16 mm drilling and port installation.
- Two-part resin injection, real-time monitoring and controlled lifts.
- Minimal excavation, reduced disruption and fast turnaround time.
- Full certification and before‑and‑after level reports handed over.
| Step | Benefit | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Site inspection & soil profiling | Diagnose root cause | 1–2 hours |
| GPR & drilling | Safe, accurate ports | Same day |
| Resin injection & monitoring | Fill voids, lift slab | Hours to a day |
| Grout, clean & certify | Handover records | Same day |
We use an engineering‑first approach, fixed‑price quotes and full certification to protect your building and investment.
Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Concrete underpinning for significant movement and edge beams
When edge beams or major settlement threaten a house, we specify concrete supports designed by an engineer.
Choose concrete underpinning when movement is large or at external beams. Steel needles and concrete pads are placed beneath the existing footing to create new bearing.
The on‑site process involves careful excavation, temporary shoring and staged pours. We set out the work, time and access needs before any excavation begins.
When excavation and concrete/steel needles are appropriate
We use these methods where ground conditions or design require deep, durable support.
- Use concrete underpinning for significant movement or edge beam failure.
- Steel needles transfer load to new concrete pads under the footing.
- We sequence excavation to protect services, gardens and finishes.
- Selective injection can be combined near interior slabs to reduce disruption.
- Levels are monitored at each stage and QA records are issued on handover.
| Aspect | Benefit | Typical outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Steel needles & concrete pads | Immediate load transfer | Restored bearing at edges |
| Planned excavation & shoring | Safe, staged works | Minimal damage to site finishes |
| Combined methods | Lower overall disruption | Efficient stabilisation across the house |
| QA and certification | Council‑compliant handover | Records for insurers and owners |
We coordinate engineering, permits and site sequencing to streamline work and protect your investment. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris.
Foundation issues in Melbourne’s reactive clay and poor drainage
Understanding local soil behaviour protects your building and reduces long-term damage.
Understanding local soil behaviour and drainage is the first step in preventing long-term foundation damage.
Moisture cycles: heave in wet periods, shrinkage in drought
Reactive clay absorbs moisture and swells in wet weather. That heave can lift footings and crack finishes.
In drought, the same clay shrinks. The result is settlement and gaps around skirtings at the house edge.
Leaks, flooding and erosion: how water washes out support
Poor drainage, flooding or leaking pipes can wash fine particles from under footings. This creates voids and weakens the ground under the slab.
Load, workmanship and fill: why slabs sometimes settle
Overloaded slabs, poor workmanship or uncontrolled fill can cause late settlement. Waffle slabs on unprepared fill often subside over time.
- We inspect the site for drainage faults and moisture pathways.
- We advise on tree management and stormwater controls to protect soil.
- Early action limits damage and lowers future maintenance.
- Our scopes target root causes, not just visible surface problems.
Our end-to-end process for rentals and strata
From first inspection to final certification we manage the whole sequence so you don’t have to.
Book a free, no‑obligation structural assessment and we will attend the site promptly. The initial inspection diagnoses the issue and leads to a clear fixed-price quote.
Free no-obligation structural assessment and fixed-price quote
We carry out a focused assessment and report the findings in plain language. You receive a fixed quote that outlines scope, timing and any contingencies.
Engineering report coordination and council permits
Our team organises structural engineering reports and lodges council approvals. This keeps the building compliant and speeds approvals.
Tenant communication, access planning and staged works
We manage tenant notifications and set access windows to reduce disruption. Works are staged so the site stays safe and tenants remain informed.
Quality assurance, certifications and handover
Before work starts we issue method statements and risk controls. During works we record levels, photos and checklists.
At handover you get certification, survey records and a clear completion pack for compliance and insurer needs.
- Single point of contact throughout the process.
- Sequenced approach to minimise downtime and keep timelines on track.
- QA checks, photographic records and final reports provided.
Book a free assessment or get a quick quote via our cost calculator. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Costs and timeframes landlords can expect
Understanding expected costs and program timeframes lets you act early and wisely. We provide clear, fixed‑price quotes after a site assessment so you can budget with confidence.
Typical price ranges and what drives cost
Minor stabilisation and void filling often start around $5,000. More complex scopes commonly sit between $15,000 and $30,000. Severe cases with deep reinforcement can exceed $50,000.
Key drivers include extent of damage, chosen method, soil and ground conditions, access and building layout.
Program duration: fast resin jobs to larger concrete work
Small resin injections can finish in a day, subject to access and scope. Larger concrete underpinning projects need excavation, staged pours and curing. These take longer and require careful sequencing.
Why early intervention saves money and protects value
Early repairs limit damage to finishes and reduce later repair spend. We sequence works to keep tenants comfortable and to reduce downtime.
- Expect a fixed‑price quote after assessment.
- Small jobs: often completed within one day.
- Larger jobs: several days to weeks depending on scope.
- Ask for a free quote now to plan budgets and time.
| Cost band (AUD) | Typical works | Average time |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000–$15,000 | Resin injection, minor stabilisation | Hours to 1 day |
| $15,000–$30,000 | Moderate underpinning, partial excavation | Several days |
| $30,000–$50,000+ | Extensive reinforcement, full beam work | Weeks |
We offer transparent options to match risk, objectives and long‑term performance. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au to request a quote or a free quote assessment.
Wall crack repairs and structural reporting for compliance
We complete stabilisation with targeted wall repairs and certification tailored to compliance needs. Our team follows a clear repair plan after the site assessment. This protects the building and records the restoration.
Stitching, repointing and finishing after stabilisation
We repair cracks using stitching and repointing where required. Where needed, we install steel stitching systems and use compatible mortars.
Finishing restores the façade and internal linings. A final inspection confirms the house condition at handover. You receive clear maintenance notes to protect the foundation.
VBA-compliant documentation for insurers, councils and PMs
Structural engineers prepare reports suitable for compliance submissions. Documentation includes scope, method, level data and certification.
- We brief insurers, councils and property managers to streamline approvals.
- All work is logged against the property file for future reference.
- We keep disruption low and areas tidy throughout the job.
Need a compliant assessment or fast handover? Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris.
Why landlords and property managers choose Underpinning Melbourne
Our team has spent two decades delivering reliable, engineered solutions that stop foundation movement.
20+ years’ experience, honest assessments and no upsells
We are fully VBA registered and insured. Our team gives frank, method-neutral advice.
We do not upsell. You receive a clear scope, a fixed price and straight answers about work and risks.
Minimal disruption, clean sites and industry-leading tech
We plan every project to limit tenant impact. Work is staged and sites are kept tidy.
Our team uses industry leading diagnostic tools and injection techniques to target the soil under the slab.
- Over 20 years delivering safe, engineered outcomes across houses, units and multi-dwelling sites.
- Frank assessments and method-neutral solutions that solve foundation problems long-term.
- Planned minimal disruption, clean sites and clear tenant communications.
- End-to-end project management from reports to certification.
- Transparent updates and trusted performance on past projects.
Speak with our team today to tailor a solution for your home. Book a free assessment or contact us. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Conclusion
We restore safe, long‑term performance to homes with engineering‑led solutions.
Our team recommends the right methods and stages each job to protect tenants and finishes. We stabilise houses quickly, and select works often finish in a day.
Options include concrete underpinning, resin injection and traditional techniques that limit excavation and densify ground.
Designs factor in reactive clay, drainage and steel where needed. Acting early prevents further damage and lowers overall cost.
Book a free assessment and get a fixed‑price quote. Read our restumping vs underpinning guide or Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.