Restumping in Sydney

What restumping in Sydney actually involves

CSIRO's footing guide says isolated piers affected by erosion or saturation of the foundation soil will eventually lose contact with the bearers they support, and may tilt or fall over. The floors above lose that support and become bouncy. Where the cause is a leak or a plumbing failure, the guide's remedy is to repair it.

What to ask before piers are swapped

New piers carry the same floor over the same ground, so the questions are about the ground. What has been done about the water that failed the old ones? Was the floor packed before, and did that hold? CSIRO warns that extra blocking between a bearer and a pier can push the floor up at the next swelling stage. And which licence category is the work done under, given that restumping is not one?

The NSW Codes SEPP lists "restumping or repairing structure foundations without increasing the height of the structure" among its examples of minor external non-structural alterations that can be exempt development. The clause does not reach a heritage item or a heritage conservation area, the Department of Planning says its list is examples only, and it adds that work which is not exempt may be complying development or need a development application. Inner West Council's plan maps many heritage conservation areas across older suburbs such as Marrickville, so ask a certifier or the council before assuming the exemption applies.

Restumping in Sydney — common questions

Do I need a licence to restump?

NSW has no restumping category, so there is no restumping licence. Piering work above A$5,000 falls under the underpinning or piering category. Ask the provider for a licence number, the categories it covers and which one the job is done under.

Does restumping need council approval?

It may not. The Codes SEPP lists restumping without increasing the height among examples of exempt minor work, but it is not available on heritage items or in heritage conservation areas, and the list is examples only.

How much does restumping cost?

This site sets no price. The costs page shows the whole-house bands two Sydney firms publish, with the date each page was read.