We prepare your home to safely carry an extra level by stabilising foundations with certified engineering methods.
We are Underpinning Melbourne — Structural Preservation Specialists. With 20+ years’ experience, our team provides concrete underpinning, resin injection and screw piling as neat, council‑compliant solutions.
Melbourne’s reactive soil and shifting ground cause cracks, uneven floors and structural issues. We assess your foundation to AS 2870, explain options in plain language and coordinate VBA‑compliant certification.
Resin injection fills voids and lifts slabs with minimal excavation. Our approach protects gardens, services and your property while delivering long‑term performance.
Get a fixed‑price quote today and book a free, no‑obligation structural assessment. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Key Takeaways
- We stabilise foundations to allow safe additions with certified engineering.
- Local soil and ground movement require measured, site‑specific solutions.
- Resin injection is fast, clean and suitable where access is limited.
- We provide clear reports, VBA compliance and fixed‑price quotes.
- Minimal disruption methods protect gardens and services during the job.
Secure your planned second storey with Melbourne’s Structural Preservation Specialists
Secure foundations early and reduce risk; our team guides the whole process from inspection to certification.
We protect your home with clear advice and measured work. Our free, no‑obligation assessment starts with a site inspection to identify issues and map moisture and levels.
Modern resin injection often reduces excavation and speeds the job. We compare methods, outline timeframes and give a fixed‑price quote to keep your building on schedule.
Our VBA‑registered, insured team coordinates engineering reports and permits. We plan around utilities and tight access to minimise disruption and risk.
| Method | Access | Excavation | Typical Time | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resin injection | Minimal | Low | 1–3 days | Limited access, quick lifts |
| Concrete | Moderate | High | 1–2 weeks | Large, heavy loads |
| Screw piling | Moderate | Variable | 3–7 days | Deep support on reactive sites |
Get in touch today. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris for a free assessment and fixed quote.
When a second storey triggers underpinning needs
Adding an upper level can reveal hidden weaknesses in your home’s foundation that need urgent attention.
We calm the process with clear, engineer‑led advice. Our team assesses whether extra load will expose foundation problems. We prioritise safety and permanent solutions.
Common triggers
- Extra load from an upper level can expose hidden foundation weaknesses.
- Wall cracks, sticky doors and uneven floors are warning signs of movement.
- Sinking slab or twisted frames indicate active settlement.
Pre‑build assessment
We run a site inspection, levels survey and soil testing before design. Moisture mapping and drainage checks find the root cause.
Engineer‑led design and compliance
Our engineers design to AS 2870 and arrange VBA‑compliant certification. We match the method to cause and do not start until the problem is clear.
| Trigger | Investigation | Typical result |
|---|---|---|
| Cracks / sticky doors | Levels survey & monitoring | Confirm differential movement |
| Soft or reactive soil | Soil testing & moisture mapping | Ground improvement or deep support |
| Slab on fill | Foundation compliance check | Design adjustment or replacement |
We provide a concise report, clear scope and fixed‑price quote. This upfront clarity keeps your house addition safe and on schedule.
underpinning for second storey melbourne
Before your builder breaks ground upstairs, confirm whether the foundations can carry extra load. A short inspection reduces risk and keeps the project on schedule.
Do you need underpinning before adding an upper level?
Not every addition needs structural strengthening. Many Melbourne homes, though, benefit from planned foundation work due to reactive ground.
We assess your home, then advise whether strengthening is required. Our inspection includes levels checks and a soil overview so you know what the site needs.
- We confirm if extra support is necessary.
- We compare resin injection and concrete methods to match access and time constraints.
- We provide a clear report that supports permit packs and builder planning.
Benefits: structural integrity, council compliance and project certainty
Planned strengthening protects your investment and reduces lifecycle risk. Minimal disruption methods are available where access is tight.
| Method | Excavation | Typical time | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin injection | Low—minimal digging | 1–3 days | Ground improvement, controlled lift, quick work |
| Concrete beam & base | High—mass excavation | 1–2 weeks | Heavy loads, certain footing types |
| Screw piling | Variable—machine access | 3–7 days | Deep support on reactive soils |
Get a free quote after assessment. We supply council‑ready documents, fixed‑price quotes and VBA‑registered, insured delivery so your builder can plan with certainty.
Choosing the right underpinning method for your home
Choosing the right method early saves time, cost and worry on your project. We explain practical options in plain language. Our team matches performance to need and access.
Concrete: mass concrete and beam‑and‑base
Concrete work suits accessible sites where founding depths are stable. Mass concrete runs $1,000–$3,000 per metre. Beam‑and‑base can be $1,500–$3,500 per metre and handles bridging weak zones.
It is robust but slower. Expect more excavation and longer time on complex sites.
Resin injection: cleaner, faster ground improvement
Resin injection uses small 16 mm holes to improve soil and lift a slab. Typical residential jobs range $4,000–$15,000.
It reduces digging, shortens the job and limits garden impact. It suits tight access and quick programme needs.
Screw piling: deep support on difficult ground
Screw piles bypass poor near‑surface soil and anchor into competent layers. Mini piles cost about $10,000–$20,000 per pile.
We weigh cost per metre or per pile against lifecycle performance, disruption and compliance. You receive a clear method statement and a tidy, safe work plan.
| Method | Access | Typical time | Cost guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete (mass) | Moderate | 1–2 weeks | $1,000–$3,000/m |
| Beam & base | Moderate | 1–2 weeks | $1,500–$3,500/m |
| Resin injection | Minimal | 1–3 days | $4,000–$15,000 (residential) |
| Screw piling | Machine access | 3–7 days | $10,000–$20,000/pile |
Melbourne conditions that influence second storey underpinning
Reactive clay, street trees and hidden services often determine the method we choose on each site.
Reactive clays swell in wet months and shrink in dry spells. This movement causes heave and subsidence and creates foundation problems that must be designed into the fix. Tree roots near footings change moisture and alter bearing capacity.
Access, services and heritage constraints
Narrow laneways, buried pipes and congested services limit machine access and influence method choice. Poor drainage or leaking pipes wash away soil and create damage near footings. Adjacent excavation can undermine foundations if cuts go below bearing level.
How we manage risk
- We survey the site and locate utilities before work.
- We design to cope with seasonal ground and tree-root moisture swings.
- We plan gentle methods for heritage homes and document each step.
- Our team sequences work to reduce noise, dust and time on site.
- We protect neighbours and shared boundaries throughout the program.
Local knowledge reduces surprises and keeps your property safe. Use our cost calculator to estimate likely scopes and timing.
Our calm, engineering-focused underpinning process
Our team follows a calm, engineer-led sequence that turns diagnosis into a predictable repair plan. We coordinate reports, permits and certification so the job runs on time and with minimal disruption. Your safety and the structure’s long-term performance guide every step.
Site investigation: cause, soil profile and level monitoring
We begin with a thorough site inspection to find the cause, not just the symptoms. Level monitoring establishes a baseline before any work starts.
Soil profiling and moisture checks use modern survey tools. This data sets the design and expected lift for the slab and foundations.
Solution design: marked locations and service locating
Designs show marked injection points and a clear sequence of work. We GPR-scan the site to locate buried services and avoid surprises.
Plans are council-ready and include method statements, safe work steps and timing so your builder can plan their program.
Delivery and QA: installation, controlled lift and clean-up
On site we drill small 16 mm holes to the design depth and install ports for controlled resin injection. We monitor levels continuously to reach the target level gently.
After injection we regrout, tidy the slab and complete a documented quality assurance pack. The team stays available to answer questions during and after the work.
- We diagnose the cause and map the soil.
- We protect services with GPR before drilling.
- We control the lift with survey gear during injection.
- We hand over council-ready certification and reports.
Ready to start the process? Book a free inspection and fixed-price quote via our contact page. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Costs for underpinning in Melbourne today
Knowing typical price ranges helps you plan the project and compare quotes. We give clear, fixed-price quotes after inspection and an engineering review.
Typical ranges
Common price bands
Minor stabilisation jobs commonly run from about $4,000–$15,000. Complex repairs sit in the $15,000–$30,000+ range. Severe movement on large properties can exceed $50,000.
Method-based guide
Costs vary by chosen method and access. Typical guides are shown below.
| Method | Typical cost | When used |
|---|---|---|
| Mass concrete | $1,000–$3,000 per metre | Accessible site, heavy loads |
| Beam & base concrete | $1,500–$3,500 per metre | Bridge weak zones, larger footprints |
| Resin injection / resin | $4,000–$15,000 (residential) | Low access, quick slab lift and injection |
| Mini / micro piling | $10,000–$20,000 per pile | Deep founding on reactive soil |
What drives price
Severity, soil type, restricted access, footprint and chosen methods have the biggest impact. Hidden damage, tree roots or services can add time and cost.
- We share ranges early so you can budget with confidence.
- Concrete is often priced per metre; piling is per pile and depth.
- Resin injection can reduce on-site time and disruption for many houses.
- We provide a detailed quote after inspection and engineering review.
- Ask us for a free quote with a clear breakdown—no upsell, just facts.
Get clarity today. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Why choose Underpinning Melbourne for second storey projects
You can rely on our certified team to assess foundations and deliver transparent, council‑ready reports. We combine engineering, site survey and practical delivery so your project runs smoothly.
VBA registered, insured and 20+ years’ experience. Our team gives honest assessments. If no remedial work is needed, we say so.
Trusted credentials and clear assessments
We use engineer‑led investigation and GPR service locating to reduce risk to utilities. This keeps excavations minimal and protects services on site.
Free assessments and fixed‑price quotes
Get a no‑obligation inspection and a fixed quote after our review. Resin methods can reduce digging and let you occupy the home during work.
- We specialise in second storey readiness across Melbourne suburbs.
- VBA registration and insurance protect you and your project.
- Our team provides straight advice and full‑service underpinning services and structural reporting.
- We coordinate with your designer and builder for smooth delivery.
- Minimal disruption methods keep your home functional during the job.
- You receive a fixed‑price quote after inspection and assessment.
- Our experience helps avoid delays at permit and construction stages.
- Get in touch to book your inspection and align your programme.
- We stand behind our work and remain available after completion.
| Feature | Benefit | What we provide |
|---|---|---|
| VBA registration & insurance | Compliance & peace of mind | Council‑ready reports and certified delivery |
| Engineer‑led inspection | Accurate diagnosis | GPR, levels survey and soil overview |
| Minimal excavation methods | Lower disruption | Resin injection options and tight‑access plans |
| Fixed‑price quote | Budget certainty | Detailed scope after site assessment |
Get in touch: Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au. Learn more about our approach on underpinning melbourne.
Book your assessment and get your addition underway
Secure a start window by arranging a site inspection and sending photos for rapid pre-assessment. Our team offers free, no‑obligation structural assessments to help you plan the project with confidence.
Rapid, low‑disruption methods such as resin injection can shorten the programme time and reduce on‑site impact. Clear site photos let us pre-assess access, services and likely methods before the visit.
- Call Chris: 1300 970 930 to schedule your inspection.
- Email site photos today to chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au for fast advice.
- We confirm availability and outline likely steps and timeframe for the job.
- Our team coordinates engineering reports so your builder can lock in framing dates.
- You receive a transparent fixed‑price quote after inspection so you can decide quickly.
Book now to secure a start window that suits your build. We keep paper work simple, give clear next steps and stay responsive through design, delivery and handover.
Call Chris on 1300 970 930 or email chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au
Send site photos today for fast advice and engineering report coordination
Conclusion
We deliver practical foundation repairs that stop movement and restore confidence in your home. Our team pairs local experience with clear engineering to protect your property long term.
Cost‑effective solutions depend on accurate diagnosis and the right methods for your soil. Resin injection, concrete slab work and piles all have a role where conditions demand them.
Book a free assessment and get a fixed‑price quote with VBA‑compliant certification. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Learn how restumping and other options compare in our short guide: restumping vs underpinning. We stand ready to support your project to completion.