House Restumping Cairns Experts
QBCC Licence #733646 — Serving Far North Queensland Since 1998
Available Monday to Friday 7am–5pm and Saturday 8am–12pm.
Damon House Relocators is a QBCC-licensed structural building relocation business serving Cairns and Far North Queensland since 1998.
What House Restumping Involves and When Cairns Homes Need It
House restumping is the process of removing deteriorated stumps supporting a timber-framed home and replacing them with new structural posts. Restumping restores the level plane of the floor structure and arrests ongoing movement in the building frame.
In Far North Queensland, stumps fail faster than they do in drier climates further south. The combination of cyclonic-season rainfall, high sub-soil moisture retention, termite activity endemic to tropical FNQ, and the legacy of pre-1980s homes built on untreated timber stumps with no chemical barrier all contribute. Soft alluvial soils common along river flats near Cairns, Gordonvale, and Mossman compound the rate of deterioration further.
The signs that restumping is needed include floors that slope or bounce underfoot, doors and windows that stick or no longer close square, visible cracking in internal plaster or external cladding, and stumps that are visibly rotted, leaning, or sunk below their original height. If you are seeing these signs, the problem has typically been developing for some time. It does not appear overnight.
In Queensland, restumping constitutes structural building work under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991. Only a holder of a current QBCC licence may legally perform or contract this work. Homeowners who engage an unlicensed contractor void their building insurance and have no recourse under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme. Damon House Relocators holds QBCC Licence #733646.
What is house restumping? House restumping is the process of removing and replacing the structural posts — called stumps — that support a timber-framed home above the ground. When stumps decay, shift, or sink unevenly, floors lose their level and the building frame moves. Replacing failed stumps with steel, galvanised, or hot-dipped posts restores structural stability and stops further movement.
How Damon House Relocators Completes a Restumping Job
1. Initial Site Assessment
We visit the property and inspect the full subfloor — checking every stump for decay, movement, and load-bearing condition. We note soil type, drainage patterns, and any site access constraints that affect equipment positioning. This assessment gives us the data to quote accurately and select the right stump material for the specific site.
2. Stump Material Selection
Based on the assessment, we recommend a stump product suited to the site's moisture exposure, soil chemistry, and the intended height of the finished floor. Options include hardwood timber, steel, galvanised, and hot-dipped steel posts — each with different performance profiles in Far North Queensland's tropical climate. See the materials section below for detail.
3. Temporary Propping and Safe Lift
Before any stump is removed, we install temporary props to carry the load of the structure safely across the working area. The home remains occupied in most cases throughout the restumping work, and temporary propping ensures the floor remains stable during each stage of replacement.
4. Stump Removal and Footing Preparation
Deteriorated stumps are removed and the footings are prepared — cleaned, levelled, and assessed for depth and bearing capacity. Where footings require rebuilding to meet current structural standards, we address this before the new stump is installed.
5. New Stump Installation and Setting
New stumps are set to the correct height and bearing positions as specified in the restumping plan. Each stump is plumbed vertical and set firmly into its footing before temporary props are removed. Final floor levels are checked and adjusted across the full structure once all new stumps are in place.
6. Final Levelling and Handover
Once all stumps are replaced and set, we walk the floor and confirm level across the full building footprint. We check that doors and windows open and close correctly where movement had affected them. We leave the site clean and provide the homeowner with a summary of the work completed and the QBCC documentation required for their records.
Stump Material Options for Far North Queensland Homes
Hardwood Timber Stumps
Hardwood timber stumps remain in use on some restumping jobs where the site and budget suit them, but their performance life in the Cairns region is significantly shorter than steel alternatives. Tropical humidity, ground moisture, and termite pressure all accelerate timber decay in Far North Queensland in ways that are less pronounced in drier climates further south. We carry out an honest site-specific assessment before recommending timber, and we will tell you clearly if the conditions make timber a poor choice for your property.
Mild Steel Stumps
Mild steel stumps offer greater structural rigidity than timber and a longer service life in most applications, but they require adequate corrosion protection to perform in high-moisture environments. For properties on flood plains, near rivers, or in areas with consistently saturated sub-soils — common across the Cairns coastal plain and the Mulgrave Valley — mild steel without a protective coating is typically not the recommended choice without specific site-condition assessment.
Galvanised Steel Stumps
Hot-dip galvanising applies a thick zinc coating that provides effective corrosion resistance across most tropical conditions. Galvanised steel stumps are one of the most commonly specified options for restumping across the Cairns region and broader Far North Queensland, offering a practical balance of structural performance, corrosion resistance, and cost. They are appropriate for the majority of residential restumping jobs in the region and are our most frequently installed post type.
Hot-Dipped Steel Stumps
Hot-dipped steel stumps go through a more thorough zinc immersion process than standard galvanising, producing a thicker, more uniform coating that suits sites with persistent sub-soil moisture, saline influence, or chemically aggressive soils. For properties close to the foreshore, on tidal flood plains, or in areas with known soil corrosivity — such as parts of the Cairns esplanade suburbs and coastal Douglas Shire — hot-dipped posts are often the right specification. We assess every site before recommending a product and will explain our reasoning clearly.
Material selection requires a site inspection. Visiting the property is the only way to give an accurate recommendation for your specific conditions. Call 0418 730 039 to arrange an on-site assessment.
Licensed and Insured for Structural Restumping in Queensland
28+
Years Continuously operating in Far North Queensland
QBCC #733646
Current Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence
3 Generations
Alan, Richard, and Alex Damon
We hold QBCC Licence #733646. In Queensland, restumping is classified as structural building work under the QBCC Act, and only a licensed contractor may legally perform or contract this work. Homeowners who engage an unlicensed contractor lose access to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme and void their building insurance. Our QBCC Licence #733646 is current and covers all structural restumping, stump repairs and replacement, and associated bearer and footing work across Far North Queensland.
We have operated continuously since 1998 — over 28 years — under the Damon family across three generations: founder Alan Damon, Richard Damon (second generation), and Alex (third generation). The techniques, material knowledge, and site-specific understanding built over that time cannot be replicated by a newer operator. This is not a claim — it is simply what 28 years of FNQ-specific work produces.
Every restumping job we undertake is covered by comprehensive structural transit, public liability, and contract works insurance. Your property is protected throughout the full scope of the work — not just at handover. We are happy to provide evidence of current insurance coverage on request.
Common Questions About House Restumping in Cairns
Is Damon House Relocators licensed and insured for house restumping in Queensland?
Damon House Relocators holds QBCC Licence #733646, which covers all structural restumping and stump replacement work across Queensland. Under the QBCC Act, restumping is classified as structural building work and may only be performed by a licensed contractor. We also carry comprehensive public liability and contract works insurance on every job.
Do I need a council permit for restumping in Cairns?
In most cases, a full restump replacing like-for-like stumps at the same height does not require a council development approval in Cairns. However, changes to stump height, material specification upgrades, or work on properties in flood overlays may trigger a building approval requirement. We advise on permit requirements as part of the initial site assessment.
How long does restumping take on a standard Cairns home?
A standard three- to four-bedroom timber Queenslander in Cairns typically takes two to four days for a full restump, depending on stump count, site access, and soil conditions. Partial restumping of a section of the subfloor can often be completed in a single day. We confirm the expected timeframe before work begins.
What is the difference between a full restump and partial stump replacement?
A full restump replaces all stumps beneath the home — typically where deterioration is widespread or the existing stumps are at the end of their service life. Partial replacement addresses isolated failing stumps while leaving sound ones in place. We inspect every stump individually and recommend only what is structurally necessary, not a blanket approach.
Does Damon House Relocators offer furniture removal or standard removalist services?
No — Damon House Relocators specialises in structural building work only: restumping, house lifting, house moving, and structural relocation. We do not provide furniture removal, packing, or standard removalist services. If access to a room requires moving furniture prior to subfloor work, that is the homeowner's responsibility or can be arranged with a separate provider.
Book Your Restumping Assessment Today
Damon House Relocators provides licensed house restumping across Cairns and Far North Queensland. Call 0418 730 039 to arrange an on-site assessment — we're available Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm.
Available Mon–Fri 7am–5pm and Saturday 8am–12pm.