Do You Need a Permit to Reblock a House in Victoria?
Reblocking changes the foundations a house stands on, so in Victoria it's treated as building work, not maintenance. For most restumping jobs that means a building permit, inspections during the work, and a registered builder once the job passes the $10,000 threshold. Here's how it works in Geelong and what it means for your job.
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The short answer
In Victoria, reblocking or restumping a house generally requires a building permit issued by a registered building surveyor. The permit covers the footing and stump design, and the work is inspected before the house is lowered onto its new stumps. Any reputable reblocking quote should include the permit.
Who issues the permit
Building permits in Victoria are issued by a registered building surveyor — either a private surveyor or the municipal building surveyor at the council (the City of Greater Geelong, the Borough of Queenscliffe or the Surf Coast Shire, depending on where you live). In practice we arrange the permit on your behalf as part of the job.
Inspections during the job
The key inspection is of the footings and stumps before the house is lowered — once the house is back down, the footings can't be seen. The surveyor may also require a final inspection. Work is scheduled around these, which is one reason reblocking follows a set sequence.
Registered builders and contracts
Under Victorian rules, domestic building work over $10,000 (labour and materials) must be carried out by a registered building practitioner under a written major domestic building contract, and domestic building insurance is required above the relevant threshold. A full reblock usually falls into this category, so it's worth checking the registration of whoever you engage.
Heritage overlays
Some older parts of Geelong sit under heritage overlays. Replacing stumps normally doesn't change how a house looks from the street, but if you're also raising the house, altering the base boards or changing the front, a planning permit may come into play. We'll flag it if your property is affected.
Why the permit matters
The permit protects you. It means the footings are designed and inspected, gives you documentation for insurance and future sale, and avoids problems when a buyer's conveyancer or building inspector asks whether the restumping was permitted.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to restump my house in Victoria?
Generally, yes. Reblocking or restumping is building work that typically requires a building permit from a registered building surveyor, with the footings inspected before the house is lowered.
Who arranges the reblocking permit?
We arrange the building permit and inspections on your behalf as part of the job, so you don't need to deal with the building surveyor directly.
Can I replace a few stumps without a permit?
Minor like-for-like repairs can sometimes be treated differently, but the safest course is to check with a building surveyor. Any substantial reblock should be permitted and inspected.
What happens if restumping was done without a permit?
Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance and when selling, as buyers and conveyancers often ask. In some cases it can be regularised through a building surveyor, but it's easier to do it properly from the start.
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