What is House Raising?
House raising, also known as house lifting or building elevation, is a process that involves separating your house from its foundations and physically lifting the entire house or building above its current foundation level.
House Raising: Also Known As
House raising goes by a few different names across the industry:
- House lifting – used interchangeably with house raising
- Building elevation – a more technical term for the same process
- Raise and build under – describes house raising specifically done to create a new legal-height level underneath
Why Raise Your House?
House raising is employed for various reasons, such as mitigating flood risks, expanding living space, repairing or reinforcing the foundation, or even relocating to a different location.
Many houses in Australia have a space underneath that isn’t legal height and ends up turning into a dusty storage area or makeshift outdoor laundry. By raising your house you can build in a new level under your house with living areas or extra space as a garage.
Raising a house is the perfect way to get the most out of your existing house and the available space on your property without building a whole new house.
There have been numerous flooding incidents in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in recent years. This has prompted many people to avoid future damage from natural disasters by raising their house onto higher stumps.
The House Raising Process
House raising is typically carried out in these stages by a licensed professional:
- Assessment and engineering – the house, existing stumps, and site are assessed to determine the new height and confirm the structure can be safely raised
- Disconnection – plumbing, electrical, and other services are disconnected ahead of lifting
- Lifting – the house is separated from its existing stumps and raised using hydraulic jacks or similar equipment to the required height
- Restumping – new stumps are installed at the new height to support the house permanently
- Reconnection and finishing – services are reconnected, and any new stairs, decking, or underfloor structure is completed
Do I Need a Permit to Raise My House?
House raising generally requires council or building surveyor approval in most Australian states, particularly where the height, use of the new under-house space, or flood mitigation intent is involved. Requirements vary by state, so always check with your local council or a licensed building surveyor before starting a house raising project. You can see our compliance certificates for all of Australia here.
House Raising and Restumping
If you’re planning on raising your house for renovation purposes, it will need to be restumped so it sits safely and securely at its new height.
LevelMaster specialises in adjustable house stumps that are stronger, easier and faster to install than other products on the market. Only LevelMaster stumps are patented, independently tested and certified in Australia. We can supply you with a Form 15 if requested.
LevelMaster adjustable house stumps
After fabrication our specially designed adjustable house stumps are hot dipped galvanised, and our stumps are galvanised structural steel. All our products are made to a high quality and are made to last.
When the ground underneath your house moves, all you need to do is adjust the levels of the stumps. This will save your house from damage, and also save you a lot of time and money on re-stumping.
Read more about LevelMaster, including our product, our history, and our team. LevelMaster services all of Australia including the major cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Toowoomba, Coffs Harbour, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Darwin
How Much Does House Raising Cost?
House Raising and Restumping Experts
LevelMaster Products have been used successfully in Australian house raising and re-stumping projects for years.
Our prices are very competitive in the short term, and may save you lots of money in the long term. Cheaper options may be out there, but be fully informed so you can make the right decision for your house re-blocking.
When you’re thinking about raising your house, trust the experts and do it right the first time. If you’re looking to raise and/or re-stump your house, contact us today.
House Raising and Restumping Near You
LevelMaster supplies and supports house raising and restumping projects across the whole of Australia. For location-specific information and approved installer referrals, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does house raising always require restumping?
Yes. Once a house is raised to a new height, new stumps must be installed to support it permanently at that height.
How high can I raise my house?
This depends on council regulations, the structural condition of the house, and the intended use of the new space underneath. Always confirm with your local council before planning a specific height.
Can adjustable steel stumps be used after house raising?
Yes. Adjustable steel stumps are well suited to house raising projects, since they allow the new height to be fine-tuned and re-levelled in future without excavation.
Key Takeaways
– House raising involves lifting a house off its existing foundations to a new, higher level
– Common reasons include flood mitigation, creating extra living space, and foundation repair
– Restumping is a required step after raising, to support the house at its new height
– Permit and council approval requirements vary by state – always confirm before starting
– Adjustable steel stumps allow the new height to be fine-tuned and re-levelled over time
Updated: September 2026