Reblocking in Geelong
Reblocking is the Victorian term for restumping: replacing the stumps a house sits on once they rot, sink or crack. A full reblock in Geelong usually costs $4,000 to $20,000, driven by stump count, material and subfloor access. Most homes take a few days to a week, and you can usually stay put while the work happens.
- Free inspections
- Itemised quotes
- Permits handled
Ask three Geelong tradies about restumping and one of them will call it reblocking. Same job, different name. Victoria is the only state where reblocking stuck as the word, and several local firms still trade under it. Either way it means jacking up your house, pulling out the failed stumps underneath and setting new ones so the place sits level again.
Most of the homes we reblock are older weatherboard and brick veneer places: Edwardian cottages and Californian bungalows in the inner suburbs, 1950s housing commission homes to the north. Their original red gum stumps have been in the ground for 50 years or more, and the clay soil across much of Geelong swells and shrinks with the seasons, which works stumps loose over time.
A full reblock usually runs $4,000 to $20,000 depending on how many stumps sit under the floor, whether you choose concrete or steel, and how much room there is to work. Restumping Geelong quotes per stump after an inspection, so you can see exactly what you're paying for. Request a quote and we'll book a free look under the floor.
Signs you need reblocking
- Floors that slope towards one corner or bounce underfoot
- Cracks in plaster walls and cornices, often above doorways
- Doors and windows that stick, jam or swing open on their own
- Gaps opening up between the floor and skirting boards
- Stumps that look rotten, crumbly or out of plumb when you check under the house
- A damp, musty smell from the subfloor after rain
How the job runs
Subfloor inspection
We get under the house, check every stump, and run a laser level across the floors to map how far the house has moved.
Itemised quote
You get a written quote priced per stump, with material options and any bearer or joist repairs listed separately.
Building permit
Reblocking is structural work, so Victorian law requires a building permit. We prepare the paperwork and lodge it with a registered building surveyor before starting.
The reblock
The house is raised on hydraulic jacks a section at a time. Old stumps come out, new footings are dug, and new stumps are set, packed and levelled.
Final inspection and certificate
The building surveyor inspects the finished work and issues a certificate of final inspection, which you keep for resale and insurance.
Why choose Restumping Geelong
- We work on Geelong's housing stock every week, from weatherboard cottages to brick veneer, and quote for what your home actually needs.
- Per-stump pricing on an itemised quote, so there is no lump-sum guesswork.
- Building permits arranged through a registered building surveyor on every job.
- Free inspections and quotes across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast.
Related services
Where we do this work
We service Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast. Suburbs where this job comes up often:
Get a free reblocking quote
Tell us about your place and we will get back to you with an honest assessment and a fixed price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reblocking the same as restumping?
Yes. Reblocking and restumping describe the same job: replacing the stumps that support a house. Reblocking is the term Victorians use, restumping is used everywhere else in Australia, and tradies around Geelong say both. If two quotes use different words, compare them as the same service.
How much does reblocking cost in Geelong?
A typical full reblock costs $4,000 to $20,000, with most quotes priced at roughly $500 to $700 per stump supplied and installed. Stump count, material choice and how much room there is under the floor decide where your job lands in that range. These are typical figures, not a quote.
Do I need a building permit to reblock a house in Victoria?
Yes. Restumping, reblocking and underpinning of an existing home all require a building permit in Victoria. A registered building surveyor issues the permit before work starts and a certificate of final inspection once it's done. Any contractor offering to skip the permit is a red flag.
Can I live in my house during reblocking?
In most cases, yes. The house is lifted only a small amount and services stay connected, so most owners stay home for the few days the job takes. There's noise and some movement while sections are jacked, and we'll tell you up front if any part of the job needs you out.
Do reblocking and underpinning ever go together?
They can. Plenty of Geelong homes are a mix: an original weatherboard section on stumps with a brick extension on a slab. The stumped part gets reblocked while sunk sections of slab or strip footing are underpinned, and both are covered under the one permit.