What is house raising?
House raising means lifting your whole home higher off the ground and setting it on new, taller stumps. It's a popular way to get more out of an older Rockhampton home. Instead of extending out into the yard, you build in underneath and gain a whole new level.
Because the house comes off its old stumps to be raised, house raising usually includes a full restump. You finish the job with a higher home on new concrete or steel stumps.
Why homeowners raise their houses
- More living space. Build in underneath to add bedrooms, a second living area or a rumpus room.
- Garage and storage. Create room to park cars, a boat or a caravan, plus workshop or storage space.
- Getting living areas higher. Some owners in low-lying areas raise their homes to lift living areas further off the ground.
- Airflow and comfort. A higher house catches more breeze and gets better airflow under the floor.
- Keeping your yard. Adding space underneath means you don't lose backyard to an extension.
How house raising works
- Inspection and planning. The house is inspected, and you decide how high you want to go and what you'd like to build underneath.
- Plans and paperwork. Drawings and any approvals your project needs are sorted before lifting starts. Your quote will explain what applies to your home.
- Services. Plumbing, electrical and gas connections are disconnected or extended so the house can move safely.
- Lifting. The house is lifted with hydraulic jacks, in stages, and supported on temporary cribbing.
- New stumps and footings. New footings are poured and taller concrete or steel stumps installed.
- Setting down and tie-down. The house is set onto the new stumps, levelled and fixed down.
- Reconnection and stairs. Services are reconnected and new stairs are built. Building in underneath can happen straight away or as a later project.
How high can you raise a house?
It depends on the property, the house itself and what you want underneath. If you plan to add rooms, the lift needs to allow enough ceiling height for them, so decide what you want underneath before the house goes up. Your quote and plans will confirm the height for your home.
Can you live in the house while it's raised?
Usually not during the lift itself, because services are disconnected and the house is temporarily supported. Your quote should explain how long you'd need to be out.
What you can build underneath
- A double garage or carport, often with a laundry and storage area
- Extra bedrooms and a bathroom
- A second living area or rumpus room for teenagers, guests or working from home
- An open outdoor entertaining area, shaded and cool through summer
Planning your raise
- Decide on the end use first. Garage only, or full living space? It affects the lift height and stair design.
- Think about stairs. A higher house needs new stairs, and where they go affects the look of the house and the space underneath.
- Stage it if you need to. Plenty of people raise and restump first, then build in underneath later when the budget allows.
House raising vs extending
If your block is small or sloping, or you want to keep your backyard, raising is often the better option. You keep the footprint and character of an older Queenslander and gain a full level of space. Extending out can make more sense on a large flat block. A good quote will talk you through both.
How much does house raising cost?
House raising is a bigger job than a restump, so it costs more. The price depends on the size and height of the house, how high it's going, access, soil and what's included. Building in underneath is a separate cost. Book a free inspection for an accurate quote.
Get a free house raising quote for your Rockhampton home. Request a quote using the form.