How much does restumping cost in Brisbane?

2026 Price Guide

Most house restumping jobs in Brisbane cost $8,000–$26,000

for a full-house restumping

In Brisbane, concrete stumps cost $180–$480 per stump, galvanised or adjustable steel stumps cost $240–$640, and treated hardwood stumps cost $160–$400. Partial restumping (5–10 stumps) runs $2,200–$5,600. A full restump costs $8,000–$16,000 for a 2–3 bed cottage and $13,000–$26,000 for a standard 3–4 bed Brisbane home.

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Restumping & Reblocking costs in Brisbane are up around 4.5%% over the past year, re-verified against 90+ sources in October 2026.

Source: WTD Tradie Price Index · Updated quarterly

Average Full-House Restump in Brisbane

$18,000

for a standard 3–4 bed home (25–40 stumps)

$240–$640

Steel / gal stump

$8,000–$16,000

2–3 bed cottage

$13,000–$26,000

Standard 3–4 bed

Partial $2,200Typical $18,000Complex $40,000

Source: whatsthedamage.com.au — 2026 Brisbane Restumping & Reblocking Cost Guide

Updated October 2026 · Independent pricing · GST included

Restumping a house in Brisbane costs $8,000–$26,000 for most timber-subfloor homes, or $180–$640 per stump installed. A 2–3 bedroom post-war chamferboard or weatherboard cottage on 15–25 stumps costs $8,000–$16,000 (typically $12,000), while a standard 3–4 bedroom Queenslander or high-set timber home on 25–40 stumps runs $13,000–$26,000 (typically $18,000). Partial restumping and spot relevelling of 5–10 stumps costs $2,200–$5,600 (typically $3,600).

Brisbane's iconic Queenslander and post-war timber housing stock faces three relentless subfloor pressures: subterranean termites, subtropical wet-dry reactive clays, and tall pier heights on sloping inner-ring blocks. High-set, sloping-site, low-clearance or two-storey restumping and relevelling ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 (typically $28,000). For brick or slab homes with foundation movement, concrete underpinning costs $1,200–$2,800 per pin / m (typically $1,850), bearer or joist replacement adds $120–$340 per m (typically $210/m), and Queensland building approval (Form 15 / Form 16 engineering and certifier fees) adds $1,200–$3,800 per job (typically $2,200).

Comparing cities, or after the Australia-wide picture? See the national guide: How much does restumping & reblocking cost in Australia?

Quick Answer

Restumping a house in Brisbane costs $8,000–$26,000 for most homes ($8,000–$16,000 for a 2–3 bed cottage or $13,000–$26,000 for a standard 3–4 bed Queenslander), or $180–$640 per stump installed. Complex, sloping or two-storey restumping runs $20,000–$40,000. GST included — verified October 2026. Get free Brisbane quotes →

Restumping & Reblocking Price List — Brisbane (2026)

Service	Low	Typical	High
Concrete stump replacement (supply & install)	$180per stump	$320	$480
Galvanised or adjustable steel stump replacement	$240per stump	$420	$640
Treated hardwood timber stump replacement	$160per stump	$260	$400
Partial restumping / spot relevel (5–10 stumps)	$2,200total	$3,600	$5,600
Full house restumping — 2–3 bed weatherboard (15–25 stumps)	$8,000total	$12,000	$16,000
Full house restumping — standard 3–4 bed home (25–40 stumps)	$13,000total	$18,000	$26,000
Complex, low-clearance or two-storey restumping & relevel	$20,000total	$28,000	$40,000
Concrete underpinning (reactive clay subsidence)	$1,200per pin / m	$1,850	$2,800
Subfloor bearer or joist replacement (timber repair)	$120per m	$210	$340
Building permit, engineering & soil report allowance	$1,200per job	$2,200	$3,800

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Prices verified October 2026 · Cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources · See methodology

Prices include GST. Based on Brisbane metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs and complex access may vary.

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Brisbane Restumping: Queenslanders, Steel Columns & QBCC Rules

Unlike Melbourne where short precast concrete blocks dominate, Brisbane restumping spans everything from low-set post-war cottages to high-set character Queenslanders sitting 2.1m–3.0m in the air:

Inner-Ring Queenslanders & Ashgrovian Homes (Paddington, Red Hill, Ashgrove, Bardon, New Farm, East Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Annerley): Steeply sloping blocks and high-set subfloors (often 1.8m–3.0m+ high) require hot-dip galvanised steel columns (75×75mm or 89×89mm SHS) or precast concrete columns with engineered tie-down bolts and wind bracing ($240–$640 per steel stump, typically $420; or $13,000–$26,000 for a standard 3–4 bed restump, and $20,000–$40,000 for complex, steep or two-storey lifts).
Post-War Chamferboard & Hardwood Cottages (Chermside, Stafford, Wavell Heights, Mitchelton, Camp Hill, Tarragindi, Moorooka, Wynnum): 1940s–1960s 2–3 bedroom cottages on 900mm–1,500mm concrete or timber stumps. Full restumping typically costs $8,000–$16,000 (around $12,000 typical) using precast concrete stumps ($180–$480 per stump, typically $320) or galvanised steel posts.
Reactive Alluvial Clays (Ipswich Corridor, Oxley, Rocklea, Indooroopilly, Logan & Western Suburbs): Deep black and grey reactive clays shrink in dry winters and swell during summer storms. Adjustable steel stumps ($240–$640/stump) and deeper bored piers prevent seasonal floor crowning, while slab/brick homes on these soils use concrete underpinning ($1,200–$2,800 per pin / m, typically $1,850).
QBCC Licensing, Form 15/16 Certification & Termite Barriers: Any structural restumping or underpinning over $3,300 in Queensland must be carried out by a contractor holding an appropriate QBCC licence (Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping / House Raising & Restumping, or Open/Low-Rise Builder), with QBCC Home Warranty Insurance on residential contracts over $3,300. You also need a private building certifier, RPEQ structural engineer design (Form 15) and inspection certificate (Form 16) ($1,200–$3,800 per job), plus AS 3660.1 physical termite protection (ant caps or collars) on all new stumps.

What Affects Restumping & Reblocking Costs in Brisbane

Low-set vs high-set Queenslander height

Low-set post-war cottages on 600mm–1,200mm piers cost $8,000–$16,000 (2–3 bed) or $13,000–$26,000 (3–4 bed). High-set Queenslanders on 2.4m–3.0m+ columns or steep Paddington/Red Hill slopes require engineered steel columns, deeper bored footings and bracing ($20,000–$40,000).

Hot-dip galvanised steel vs concrete stumps

Precast concrete stumps cost $180–$480 per stump (typically $320) and suit heights up to ~1.8m. Hot-dip galvanised or adjustable steel columns ($240–$640 per stump, typically $420) are preferred for tall high-set subfloors, build-under renovations and reactive clay blocks.

Termite & wet-rot damage in hardwood bearers

Brisbane's humid subtropical climate and Coptotermes termites frequently hollow out old hardwood bearers and joists above the stumps. Replacing or sistering damaged subfloor timber adds $120–$340 per linear metre (typically $210/m).

Brisbane City Council Character & Flood Overlays

Homes in Traditional Building Character Overlays or Brisbane River / creek flood overlays often have strict rules on subfloor enclosures, pier design and height — RPEQ engineering (Form 15), soil testing and private certifier building approval add $1,200–$3,800 per job (typically $2,200).

Under-house concrete slabs & battens

Many high-set Brisbane homes have an existing concrete slab poured between the old stumps plus laundry plumbing and perimeter battens. Cutting concrete pockets around each stump and disconnecting/reconnecting rigid plumbing adds labour over an open-earth subfloor.

Slab & brick-veneer subsidence

Where a 1970s–2000s brick-veneer or slab home in Brisbane's western or southern suburbs has cracked due to reactive clay shrinkage or tree roots, concrete underpinning runs $1,200–$2,800 per pin / m (typically $1,850).

How to Save Money on Restumping & Reblocking in Brisbane

Verify your contractor's QBCC licence number and confirm QBCC Home Warranty Insurance is lodged on any Brisbane restumping contract over $3,300.

Ensure your quote explicitly includes RPEQ engineer Form 15 design, Form 16 site inspection certification and private certifier building approval ($1,200–$3,800) — uncertified restumping causes major issues when selling in Brisbane.

If you plan to build in underneath your Queenslander later, tell your restumper now so the RPEQ engineer spaces the new steel columns ($240–$640/stump) to suit future room layouts and legal 2.4m ceiling heights.

Insist on hot-dip galvanised steel stumps (or concrete stumps with stainless/galvanised tie-downs) and compliant AS 3660.1 ant caps on every pier to stop subterranean termites bridging into your hardwood bearers.

Replace all ageing timber or spalling concrete stumps in one project ($8,000–$16,000 for a 2–3 bed cottage) rather than patching 5–10 stumps ($2,200–$5,600) and paying engineering and certifier fees twice.

Frequently Asked Questions — Restumping & Reblocking Cost in Brisbane

How much does it cost to restump a Queenslander or house in Brisbane?

Restumping a 2–3 bedroom post-war cottage or smaller Queenslander in Brisbane (15–25 stumps) costs $8,000–$16,000 (typically $12,000). A standard 3–4 bedroom Queenslander or high-set timber home (25–40 stumps) costs $13,000–$26,000 (typically $18,000). Complex, steep-slope, low-clearance or two-storey restumping and relevelling runs $20,000–$40,000 (typically $28,000).

How much does restumping cost per stump in Brisbane?

In Brisbane, precast concrete stumps cost $180–$480 per stump (typically $320), hot-dip galvanised or adjustable steel stumps cost $240–$640 per stump (typically $420), and treated hardwood timber stumps cost $160–$400 per stump (typically $260), supplied and installed.

Do I need council or certifier approval to restump a house in Brisbane?

Yes. In Queensland, replacing more than a minor number of stumps is assessable building work requiring building approval from a licensed private building certifier, backed by an RPEQ structural engineer's design certificate (Form 15) and final inspection certificate (Form 16). Allow $1,200–$3,800 (typically $2,200) for engineering, soil testing and certification.

Should I use steel or concrete stumps in Brisbane?

Precast concrete stumps ($180–$480/stump) are durable and cost-effective for low-set to mid-set Brisbane cottages up to ~1.8m clearance. Hot-dip galvanised steel columns ($240–$640/stump) are stronger and slimmer for high-set Queenslanders above 1.8m, sloping blocks, and reactive clay sites where adjustable top plates allow easy future relevelling.

How much does concrete underpinning cost in Brisbane?

Concrete underpinning for subsided slabs or strip footings in Brisbane costs $1,200–$2,800 per pin or linear metre (typically $1,850 per pin / m), plus $1,200–$3,800 for RPEQ structural engineering, soil testing and building certification.

Our Methodology

These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →