House Raising Brisbane - Big Yard, No Space?

While modern housing trends for small blocks of land or apartment living have started to make their mark on the Australian landscape, most dwellings still sit on large blocks with much of the space occupied by lawns and gardens. As demographic changes take place with each succeeding generation, and it becomes harder for young people to save a housing deposit, the necessity to better utilise this space has become more urgent.

Better Use of Existing Space Needed Now

All major Australian cities have become a victim of urban sprawl. Not all that long ago the only solution to the need for more housing was to push further away from urban centres by subdividing the cheaper land that was readily available. This created unemployment and social problems in many areas because affordable housing was too far away from vital infrastructure.

Recognising that this could not continue, local government agencies have relaxed the planning laws that applied to existing dwellings, to allow more than one dwelling to be built on these larger blocks of land. As a company that specialises in raising houses to create extra living space underneath, here at Black & White Houseraising and Restumping we also offer house sliding services to our clients.

Time to Correct Early House Siting Mistakes

House sliding is a perfect solution to creating extra yard space. When many of these older homes were built, they were situated in the middle of the block, so that any attempt now to use wasted land for additional housing does not meet planning requirements. The only way to optimise this very valuable commodity is to slide the existing house to another location on the same block.

It sounds easy doesn’t it, but in practice it is actually quite difficult. House sliding should only be undertaken by experienced contractors with all the relevant insurances and professional associations. We are members of the Master Builders Association and also hold a current BSA (Building Services Authority) licence.

We use our advanced hydraulic jack system to lift the existing house off its stumps and position it to the desired location on the property, hence the term “house sliding.” The house is held in position to allow the installation of structural steel columns, or if necessary, restumping. When everything is in place, we lower the house onto its new site, leaving the extra space our clients need.

Subdivide for Profit, Build a Second Dwelling or Install a Pool

Some of our clients move their houses to subdivide the back half of the block and sell it as an investment opportunity. Others want a safe home for elderly loved ones, a teenage retreat for emerging adults juggling work and study or an independent living arrangement for a young couple just starting their lives together. A tennis court, a pool, space for large hobbies, the need varies with each project we undertake.

If any of these scenarios sound like something you need, contact us here at Black & White Houseraising and Restumping for a quote. We can help you turn your wasted space into a value proposition.