KTG Construction Group carries out engineer-designed underpinning and footing repairs across Melbourne, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula.
As a registered builder (CDB-U 69640), we manage the whole process, from engineering and permits to making good the cracks inside.
Signs your home may need underpinning
- Diagonal cracks in brickwork, render or plaster, especially above doors and windows
- Doors and windows that stick or no longer close properly
- Uneven or sloping floors
- Gaps opening between walls and ceilings, skirtings or cornices
- Cracks that keep getting wider over time
Common causes
Many parts of Melbourne sit on reactive clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry. Combined with leaking pipes, large trees near the house or shallow original footings, that movement can damage a home over time. Finding and fixing the cause is as important as the underpinning itself.
Our process
- Inspection: we look at the damage and arrange a structural engineer's assessment.
- Design: the engineer specifies the underpinning method, such as mass concrete underpinning or piers, to suit your soil and structure.
- Permits: we coordinate the building permit, and the protection work process with neighbours if the work is near a boundary.
- Underpinning: we excavate and pour in stages so the house stays supported throughout.
- Making good: we repair cracks, re-hang sticking doors and restore finishes.
Underpinning before a second storey
Adding a level puts more weight on your footings. If the engineer finds they aren't strong enough, we can underpin as the first stage of your project, so the structure and the addition are planned and built by one team.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for underpinning?
Underpinning is structural work, so it generally needs an engineer's design and a building permit. We coordinate both.
Can we stay at home while you underpin?
Usually yes. The work is mostly outside and under the house, carried out in stages that keep it supported.
How much does underpinning cost?
It depends on how many footings need work, the depth required, the method and site access. After the engineer's assessment, we'll give you a clear price.