We answer which method will best protect your Melbourne home in plain terms: one transfers loads to deeper, stable ground while the other renews stumps under a house to correct sagging floors and doors.
We are Underpinning Melbourne, Structural Preservation Specialists. Our mission is to save homes from foundation failure with a calm, engineering‑focused approach. We offer Concrete Underpinning, Restumping and other core services in the region.
Typical signs of movement include cracked walls, sticking windows and sloping floors. Underpinning suits subsidence and settlement by adding deep support. Reblocking usually restores houses on stumps after about 20 years or where drainage and soil change cause movement.
Expect a clear path from assessment to certified repair. Our team has over 20 years’ experience, uses VBA‑compliant methods, and provides fixed‑price quotes with minimal disruption. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Key Takeaways
- One method deepens support for failing foundations; the other renews stumps to level a house.
- Look for cracks, jamming doors and sloping floors as warning signs.
- We provide VBA‑compliant assessments, fixed quotes and engineering report coordination.
- Our team has 20+ years’ experience delivering minimal‑disruption repairs.
- Always choose a licensed contractor; DIY work risks further damage and safety hazards.
Protecting your Melbourne home’s foundations today
Early action saves money: our engineered solutions stop further settlement before damage grows. We protect your foundations with methods that prioritise safety and long‑term integrity.
Our process begins with a calm, thorough assessment of your home and building movement. We explain options clearly and match the service to the root cause, not the symptom.
Our team designs the right support to address real foundation risk. Early intervention reduces maintenance costs and avoids escalation to major damage.
- VBA‑compliant documentation and certificates for council and lender needs.
- Fixed‑price quotes and free assessments from an insured, registered team.
- Minimised time on site through proven planning and methods.
| What we check | Deliverable | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Site and soil assessment | Engineering report | Clear reason for any movement |
| Support design | VBA‑compliant plans | Council and lender acceptance |
| Fixed quote | Scope and warranty | No surprise costs |
Ready to protect your property? Book a free assessment through our contact page. We stand by the result with insurance and warranties aligned to Australian standards.
What is underpinning and what is reblocking? Foundations, signs and causes
Understanding what causes settlement helps you act early and avoid bigger repair costs. We explain both approaches simply and relate them to local soil behaviour.
Underpinning explained: strengthening failing foundations and stopping settlement
Underpinning extends or strengthens an existing foundation. Technicians excavate in stages and install mass concrete or piles. The new supports bear on deeper, stable soil and stop further settlement.
Reblocking/restumping explained: replacing deteriorated stumps to re‑level floors
Restumping, called reblocking locally, replaces failed stumps under timber floors. Workers remove rotten stumps and fit new supports to re‑level floors and restore load paths.
Common causes of foundation problems in Victoria’s soils
Melbourne’s reactive clay swells and shrinks with moisture. Poor drainage, leaking pipes, tree roots and bad compaction make conditions worse. These factors change soil beneath a building and cause movement.
Typical signs at home: cracks in walls, jammed doors and windows, uneven floors
- Hairline cracks in plaster or masonry
- Sticking doors and tight windows
- Sloping or uneven floors
| Issue | When it applies | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Deep settlement | Mass concrete or piles needed | Load moved to stable soil; further damage arrested |
| Local stump failure | Timber stumps rotten under floors | Floors re‑levelled; local support restored |
| Soil moisture change | Drainage, roots, leaking pipes | Root cause addressed to reduce recurrence |
We assess the whole building to decide if underpinning or restumping is right. For a detailed comparison, see our restumping and underpinning comparison.
Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
underpinning vs reblocking melbourne: which service is right for your house?
Selecting the best repair starts with a clear diagnosis of where the movement comes from.
When brick walls or slab edges have lost bearing because of changing soil, choose underpinning. Mass concrete pits extend the footing to deeper, stable ground and stop further settlement. This is the right service for subsiding foundations on masonry or slab buildings.
When restumping suits timber‑floored homes
Choose restumping for timber floors on rotten stumps where sagging causes doors to stick and rooms to be out of level. It is local, faster and less invasive than deep excavation. Expect quick re‑levelling and restored load paths.
Pros, cons and expected outcomes
- Underpinning: stops settlement, stabilises the building, precise re‑levelling; needs access and staged excavation.
- Restumping: rapid local fix, minimal disruption; won’t fix deep ground problems.
- We balance cost, access and long‑term performance to recommend the correct service.
Alternative or complementary supports
Resin injection can densify weak pockets. Screw piling provides deep end‑bearing where loads and site conditions require higher capacity.
| Solution | When it fits | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete underpinning | Subsidising brick or slab | Long‑term stabilisation |
| Restumping | Rotten stumps under timber floors | Floors levelled, quick return to use |
| Resin / Screw piles | Weak pockets or deep capacity needs | Targeted support with less excavation |
We recommend only what your property needs. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris.
How the repair process works, step by step
A clear, staged workflow gives you certainty about scope, time and outcomes for any foundation repair. We coordinate engineering reports, permits and certification so you can relax while we manage the project.
Underpinning workflow
Our process starts with an engineering investigation and level survey of your building. We check moisture and drainage to find root causes.
Sequence: set‑out, pit excavation, mass concrete placement or pile works, controlled lift to re‑level, then certification.
Restumping workflow
For timber floors we prop the structure, remove failed stumps, and fit new supports.
We complete re‑levelling, protect services, tidy the site and certify the repair when tolerances are met.
Time on site, disruption and protecting finishes
We plan projects to reduce time on site and shield tiles and joinery during lifts. Your project manager explains tolerances and what to expect.
| Stage | What we do | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | Survey, soil and drainage checks | Right solution for the job |
| Works | Excavate, concrete or replace stumps | Stable, permanent support |
| Completion | Monitoring, certification, tidy up | Compliance and peace of mind |
Our team keeps the job area clean and coordinates inspections. We give a detailed repair scope and fixed‑price quote before work begins. Use our cost calculator to estimate your project quickly.
Engineering, compliance and certification in Melbourne
Clear documentation and council approvals protect your home and your investment. We manage permits and inspections so your repair follows VBA‑registered, council‑compliant methods. This reduces risk and speeds approvals.
VBA‑registered methods and permits
We are fully VBA registered and insured. Our team lodges permit applications and meets council conditions. That means fewer surprises and confidence that the work meets local codes.
Structural reports and inspections for peace of mind
A registered structural engineer specifies methods that protect the foundations and the building envelope.
We coordinate pre and post‑works inspections and supply engineering reports and certificates. These documents verify structural integrity for lenders, buyers and insurers.
- Compliant service across Services Melbourne, securing permits.
- Years of experience in the industry streamline approvals.
- Planned process with inspection schedule and target timeframes.
| What we handle | Why it matters | Benefit to you |
|---|---|---|
| Permit lodgement | Meets council rules | Projects proceed without delay |
| Engineering reports | Specifies safe methods | Proves due diligence for lenders |
| Inspections & certificates | Verifies work meets codes | Protects property value |
We keep records ready for conveyancers, insurers and future stakeholders. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au.
Why choose Underpinning Melbourne for foundation repairs
A calm, expert team reduces stress and secures lasting support for your property.
We bring 20+ years of experience and a specialist team of engineers and technicians. We are fully insured and VBA Registered. Our inspections are honest and carry no unnecessary upsells.
Minimal disruption and advanced levelling
We use computer levelling and planned lifts to protect finishes. Permits and council paperwork are organised for you.
Clients praise our punctual communication and neat work. We aim for a great job on every site.
Free assessments and transparent quotes
Book a free, no‑obligation assessment. You receive a clear fixed‑price quote and a realistic program before the job starts.
| What we provide | Why it matters | Benefit to you |
|---|---|---|
| Years of delivery | Proven methods and local knowledge | Confidence in results for your property |
| Services offered | Underpinning, house restumping, resin, screw piles, crack repair | Right solution for your homes and foundations |
| Compliance & insurance | VBA registration, permits organised | Seamless approvals and lender confidence |
| Communication | Clear scope, frequent updates | Less disruption and better planning |
Learn more about our services or call Chris on 1300 970 930. Email chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au to book assessment and coordinate engineer support.
Real‑world outcomes we aim for on every project
Every project finishes with clear, measurable improvements you can see as you walk through the house. We deliver results that reduce worry and protect value.
Level floors, straight walls and restored structural integrity
We restore structural integrity with minimal disruption and certified outcomes you can rely on. Our team uses controlled lifting and engineered support to limit new cracks and protect finishes.
- Expect level floors, straighter walls and doors opening smoothly without binding.
- Controlled lifting reduces new cracks and protects tiles while improving function of windows and doors.
- Your house and home feel solid again, with reduced vibration and improved lines.
- We target the root cause to prevent recurring issues and secondary damage.
- We verify improvements with level surveys and document changes to your foundations and foundation bearing.
- The building regains stability; you regain confidence in day‑to‑day living.
- Our work program minimises time on site and finishes with a thorough clean‑up.
- All works are certified, providing long‑term assurance for you and future buyers.
| Measure | What we check | Expected outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Floor levels | Pre and post level survey | Floor within tolerance and recorded |
| Wall and crack monitoring | Visual and structural inspection | No new cracking after controlled lifts |
| Doors & windows | Operational test and adjustment | Smooth operation without binding |
We document every stage and provide certificates so you have a clear record for insurers and buyers. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or Email Chris: chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au for a free assessment and to discuss your specific issues.
Conclusion
A prompt inspection can stop small soil changes becoming major foundation problems.
Underpinning halts settlement by transferring loads to deeper, stable strata. Restumping restores support where stumps have deteriorated. Clay soil movement is a common cause of these issues, so early action limits further damage and cost.
We diagnose the soil and site conditions first. Then we recommend the right repair: underpinning, restumping or targeted concrete work. Our services include engineered reports, permits and certification so projects run smoothly.
Act now: we offer free assessments and fixed‑price quotes. Call Chris: 1300 970 930 or email chris@underpinning-melbourne.com.au to book a site inspection or send photos today.