Straight answers,
before you commit.
Reblocking is a big job, and most people have never had it done before. Here are the questions we get asked every week - what it costs, how long it takes, whether you can stay in the house, and how the guarantee works. If yours is not here, just call.
Working out what you need.
What is the difference between reblocking, restumping and underpinning?
Reblocking and restumping are two words for the same job: replacing the stumps that hold up a timber-framed or weatherboard house. Underpinning is different - it strengthens and extends the footings under a brick or slab home that is subsiding. We do all three. On inspection we tell you which one your house actually needs.
How do I know if my house needs reblocking?
The common signs are sloping or bouncy floors, doors and windows that jam, stair-step cracks in plaster and cornice, and timber stumps that are soft or crumbling under the house. If two or three of those are happening, it is almost always the stumps. A free inspection confirms it either way.
Is the on-site quote really free?
Yes. We come out, get under the house, assess every stump and give you an honest answer on the spot, with no obligation. If you do not need the work, we will tell you. If you do, you get a fixed-price written quote.
What areas do you cover?
We are based in the inner west, around the Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay council areas, and work across greater Melbourne and right through Victoria. If you are not sure whether you are in range, give us a call and we will let you know.
Do you offer pensioner or senior discounts?
Yes. We offer pensioner and senior discounts. Mention it when you book your inspection and we will factor it into your quote.
What actually happens.
Can we stay in the house while you work?
Yes, on most jobs. We do the work in stages so the house stays livable. You will hear us, and there are short windows where the floor moves a few millimetres at a time, but you do not need to move out.
How long does the job take?
Most single-storey weatherboards take one to two weeks on site, plus a few weeks lead time for permits before we start. Larger homes and tight access add days, not months. You get a timeframe in writing with your quote.
Do you organise council permits?
Yes. Reblocking and underpinning are structural work and need a building permit. We organise the permits and the engineering sign-off. You do not need to call council or chase a private surveyor.
How is the job priced and what does it cost?
It depends on the number of stumps, the height under the house, and how tight the access is. After the inspection we give you a fixed price in writing. No hourly rates and no scope creep mid-job.
Do you only use concrete stumps?
Yes. We use concrete stumps with steel caps, never timber. Timber is what failed in the first place. Concrete stumps will outlast the house, so there is no good reason to put the old material back.
Is your work guaranteed?
Every job comes with a 15-year written guarantee. You get the document with your final paperwork. We have been doing this for 35 years and we will still be here in 15.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are a Registered Building Practitioner, a member of the Master Builders Association, and we carry public liability insurance. The work is computer-levelled to engineering tolerance and signed off properly.
Still got a question?
Ask us on site, for free.
The best answer to a question about your house is one given standing under it. Book a free inspection and we will crawl under, take a look, and tell you straight what is going on and what it would cost to fix.