Restumping & reblocking questions, answered
Everything Melbourne homeowners ask us about restumping — what it costs, how long it takes, the permits involved, and what happens to your home along the way.
Restumping is major structural work on what is usually your biggest asset, so it is fair to have a lot of questions before you commit. Below are the answers we give Melbourne homeowners every week — the practical stuff about cost, permits, timing and living in the house, plus the questions that come up once you understand the basics. If yours isn't covered here, the free on-site inspection is the best place to get a straight answer.
A quick note on terms: restumping and reblocking are the same job. If your floors are sloping or sagging you may also be looking at house levelling, and if the ground itself has moved, underpinning may be the right fix.
Costs, permits & the process
Start here — the questions almost every homeowner asks before booking an inspection.
How much does restumping cost in Melbourne?
Most full restumps in Melbourne fall between roughly $12,000 and $35,000, depending on the number of stumps, access under the house, and whether timber or concrete stumps are used. A small partial restump can start from a few thousand dollars. The only accurate figure is a fixed written quote after an on-site inspection.
Is restumping the same as reblocking?
Yes. “Restumping” and “reblocking” are two names for the same job — replacing the stumps (or blocks) that support the floor of your home. Older Melburnians often call it reblocking; the building industry usually calls it restumping. The work is identical.
How long does restumping take?
A typical weatherboard home takes one to two weeks on site once permits are in place. Larger homes or jobs with difficult access can take longer. We give you a firm timeline with your quote.
Do I need a permit to restump my house?
Yes — restumping is regulated building work in Victoria and requires a building permit and final inspection by a registered building surveyor. We arrange the permit, engineering and sign-off for you as part of the job.
Can I stay in the house during restumping?
In most cases, yes. The house is jacked gradually and you can usually remain living in it, though you may notice some movement and the occasional sticking door. We’ll let you know if your specific job needs you to be out.
How do I know if my house needs restumping?
Common signs are sloping or bouncy floors, doors and windows that stick, cracks in plaster or cornices, and gaps opening up between walls, skirting and floors. If you notice any of these, book a free inspection and we’ll get under the house to check the stumps.
Do you offer free quotes?
Yes. Every quote starts with a free, no-obligation on-site inspection across greater Melbourne. We assess the stumps, measure the floor levels and give you a clear fixed-price quote in writing.
What areas of Melbourne do you cover?
We restump homes right across greater Melbourne — from the inner-city period suburbs to the outer growth corridors and bayside. If you’re in metropolitan Melbourne, we can quote your job.
Living with the job, insurance & guarantees
The questions that come up once you've decided restumping is on the cards.
What is the difference between reblocking, restumping and underpinning?
Restumping and reblocking are the same job under two names — replacing the timber or concrete stumps your floor sits on and relevelling the house. Underpinning is different: it stabilises the ground beneath your footings using screw piles or concrete, and is used when the soil itself has subsided rather than the stumps having simply worn out. Many Melbourne homes need restumping; a smaller number with genuine ground movement need underpinning. We tell you which applies at the free inspection.
How long does restumping take from start to finish?
The on-site work for a typical Melbourne weatherboard is usually one to two weeks once the building permit is in place. Before that, allow a couple of weeks for engineering, the permit and scheduling. Larger or period homes, or jobs with very tight subfloor access, can run longer. You get a firm timeline in writing with your fixed quote so there are no surprises.
Do I have to move out of the house during restumping?
In most cases, no. The house is jacked up gradually and evenly, so you can usually keep living in it throughout the job. You may notice some minor movement, the odd sticking door, and the crew working under the floor during the day. If your particular home needs you out for a stage — uncommon, but possible with severe movement — we will flag that clearly before work starts.
Does restumping affect my insurance or selling the house?
Restumping generally helps when you sell. Level floors, no active movement and a registered building surveyor sign-off remove a major red flag for buyers and building inspectors, and you keep the certificate of final inspection for your records. On insurance, age-related stump deterioration is normally treated as wear and tear and is not claimable, but damage from a sudden insured event such as a burst pipe may be — check your policy, and we are happy to provide documentation for a claim.
Do you guarantee the work?
Yes. Every restump is carried out to engineering specification, permitted, and signed off by a registered building surveyor, and we back our workmanship with a written guarantee. New engineered concrete stumps are an extremely long-life product, so once your home is relevelled on fresh stumps it should stay put for generations.
Still have a question? Ask us directly — or read our restumping cost guide and the signs you need restumping.
Got a question about your home? Just ask
Book a free, no-obligation on-site inspection across greater Melbourne and we'll give you straight answers, a clear plan and a fixed written quote.