Reblocking & Restumping in Belmont and Highton
Belmont, Highton, Grovedale and Newcomb were built out largely in the post-war decades, and many of those 1950s, '60s and '70s weatherboard and brick-veneer homes are on concrete or timber stumps that are now fifty to seventy years old. Sloping floors, sticking doors and cracked cornices are common calls from these suburbs.
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- Concrete & Steel Stumps
- Geelong & the Bellarine
Post-war homes at restumping age
Post-war housing in Belmont and Grovedale was often built on timber stumps, and even homes on early concrete stumps can have problems — thin, poorly reinforced stumps crack, and shallow footings sink. After decades of wet winters and dry summers, many of these homes need a partial or full reblock.
Sloping blocks in Highton
Highton's hillier streets bring higher subfloors on the low side of many houses. Taller stumps need bracing and careful design, and higher subfloors are actually easier to work under — though the ground itself can be harder to dig.
Brick-veneer homes
A lot of homes in these suburbs are brick veneer: a timber frame on stumps, with a brick skin on its own strip footing. The timber floor can be restumped, but the brick veneer sits on its own footing, so cracking in the brickwork may need a separate look — and occasionally underpinning.
What we do
- Inspect the subfloor and take level readings across the house.
- Recommend a full reblock, partial reblock or re-level based on what's actually there.
- Arrange the building permit and inspections.
- Replace stumps with reinforced concrete or adjustable steel and re-level the floor.
- Repair any rotten bearers or joists found along the way.
Common questions
My Belmont home is on concrete stumps — can it still need reblocking?
Yes. Early concrete stumps were sometimes thin or lightly reinforced and can crack or sink on shallow footings. An inspection shows whether they're sound or due for replacement.
Can you restump a brick-veneer house?
Yes. The timber floor of a brick-veneer home sits on stumps and can be restumped. The brick skin has its own footing, so any cracking in the brickwork is assessed separately.
Is restumping harder on a sloping Highton block?
Sloping blocks mean taller stumps on the low side, which need bracing and proper design. The extra height usually makes access under the house easier.
How long does a reblock take in Belmont or Grovedale?
A typical single-storey home takes around one to two weeks for a full reblock, depending on size, access and how much bearer repair is needed. Partial jobs are shorter.
Ready to get started?
Free on-site quotes · Permits arranged · Geelong, the Bellarine & Surf Coast