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Archive for category: House Raising

Know the considerations, reasons and benefits concerning House Raising from articles by Black & White restumping services in Brisbane, Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

The Value of a Queenslander House Style

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Never before has humanity paid so much attention to weather conditions since the subject of global warming was raised. Winter has been more hazardous in European countries and the United States, with blizzards snowing families in, closing down public transport, roads and airports. In other countries severe weather conditions have brought about widespread flooding, raging bushfires and heartbreaking mudslides which have literally swept away entire communities. Add to this awakening volcanoes and earthquakes which have been the cause of huge tsunamis, ending lives and breaking hearts. Mother Nature seems to have taken great displeasure in the way we have treated our Earth and has reacted violently in protest.

Short of walking away from everything they possess, little else can be done for people living on earth faults where earthquakes happen with alarming regularity. Building on slopes of mountains has seen the stability of the ground badly affected, so that the result of torrential rainfall causes the earth to literally slide away from underneath. Again for these people the only option available is to leave and live elsewhere. Amazingly many people opt to stay and rebuild as is the case in many active or dormant volcanic areas, where daily life goes on as though nothing can go wrong. Happily, something can be done for those living in flood prone areas, and that is house raising Brisbane  in order to prevent having to repeatedly do post flood cleanups.

Flood-Proofing Low-Set Houses

House restumping Brisbane for low houses on stumps can make the world of difference as to how one survives a flood. Although many of the old style Queenslander homes are up high, many of the old homes are low-set and as such, a flood target. In low lying areas that are prone to flooding, even some high houses have suffered water inundation, but nowhere near as badly as lower homes. Since the 2011 floods in Australia a lot of thought and discussion has taken place regarding flood proofing existing homes and coming up with a flood proof house design for new homes. For existing homes the most sensible answer is to go higher, hiring the services of a house raising company to ensure the home is above any expected flood level.

One of the new developments since the 2011 floods is the raising of the heights of homes in flood areas from eight and a half metres to nine and a half metres, giving some extra leeway between home and floodwaters. New flood proof housing plans have been submitted for approval, and will hopefully be another option for the future. All things considered, for all flood prone areas, house raising is by far the best way to go.

Raise your Home and Protect your Assets

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Protecting photos and other personal possessions is important. A lot of what we own comes with sentimental attachment, not just financial value. With the recent flooding throughout Queensland, a lot of homes went underwater causing a lot of destruction and loss of property. Although homes would have been covered under insurance, there are things such as photos that can never be replaced and that can be heartbreaking.

Benefits of House Raising

Whether your home has been under in the floods or you just need to replace stumps, there are many benefits of house raising. Protecting your assets from floodwaters  is just one of them. Other benefits  include strengthening your foundations, replacing wooden stumps with concrete stumps which are stronger and not in danger from termites as well as realigning your structure. It is important to get the professionals in to do the job for you. It is a very specialized field and requires specialized equipment in order to carry out the job.

Get Professionals Instead of Going DIY

If you do the job yourself without the proper training or equipment, then you risk causing instability and damage to the property. This in the long run will cost more to fix so why not get the professionals in  right from the start. Restumping can be dangerous without the proper knowledge and equipment. House raising professionals have all the equipment as well as many years experience and training. The smart thing to do is hire them to make sure the job is done properly. Isn’t it better then risking damage to your home and perhaps even to you?

If you require the services of a professional house raising company, then be sure to check online to find the best company for your needs. House raising and restumping is important, especially after flooding. Re-stabilize your home today by having your stumps redone.

Protecting Your Home Through Raising and Restumping

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Dramatic changes in the climate have caused many tragic events recently. Many lives have been lost due to strong storms that resulted in major flooding in some areas. The weather pattern in the coming years is expected to continue to be erroneous, away from the normal and predictable course, so people are considering getting ready for any unforeseen accidents. One of the ways people can prepare for the unexpected is by upgrading the design of their homes to make them able to withstand strong water surges and flooding.

House raising  and restumping can be done to areas that are prone to flooding. This gives the house ample space underneath for possible floods that may strike the area. Raising and restumping is an ingenious way of providing flood solution to houses that are already standing. For a mere two weeks, experts in concrete stumping can raise a house by using an advanced hydraulic jacking system to push the house up from its foundations. Structural engineers are hired to devise new structural plans for the raised house, and the contractor for the house raising and restumping  handles the rest.

Benefits of Concrete Stumps

There are many benefits of concrete stumps to the house being raised. The prime benefit is of course protection from flooding incidents, especially so if you are living in an area that has experienced flooding once or twice already in the recent years. Because of the unpredictability of the climate and weather, it is but safe and assuring to carry out a raising and restumping  of the house. Some houses sitting on old stumps would need replace their stumps to ensure stability to the structures. Otherwise, it could pose danger to the people residing in the place.

Concrete stumps can also effectively protect the house from termite infestation, which are expected to happen in structural foundations that have been subjected to flood waters. Providing new concrete stumps for the house would keep them away from termites and other pests feeding on the wooden portions of the house.

Added Benefits of a Raised House

A house that has been restumped will also have better air circulation and cooler breeze coming in as it would be situated higher up. The space underneath that will be gained after raising and restumping can be used for other purposes as well, particularly during dry seasons when no storms are seen to come. Providing stumps to the house would allow healthy exercise to residents of the house since they will then be climbing steps to access the house.

Renovating Through House Raising

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Houses can get really distorted and crooked if there are stump problems. Stumps essentially form the foundation of the house, so if the stumps are rotting, the house will likely be misaligned or unlevelled. This is the primary reason why some homeowners decide to do a restumping job. Some homeowners, however, make house raising a part of their overall renovation to improve the whole look of the house.

Repairing Structure

Stump damage creates many problems to the house. First, there is the safety factor. If there is massive damage to the stumps of the house, the structural soundness of the building is in peril.

Stumps made from timber usually get damaged easily when they start to attract termites. Termites could be attacking the foundations of the house unnoticed, only showing signs when the damage is already huge.

If there is any sign of stump damage, the stumps should be repaired right away. In a worst case scenario, there is the possibility of the floors actually collapsing. In such a case, repairing the stumps is the first step you should be making if you are planning a renovation.

Lifting Up the House for Aesthetics

Stump damage can negatively affect the overall appearance of the house. Because the floors are unlevelled due to defective stumps, the walls may also not align. Also, the doors and windows may not close properly because of the crookedness of the house. To bring back the original quality of the house, restumping is important. A good restumping service will be able to formulate solutions for homes that are having problems with defective stumps.

How The Job is Done

In house raising and restumping, the service specialists use a hydraulic equipment to lift the house and repair the stumps. Stumps are replaced with a rot resistant material, and durable steel columns are applied to hold the raised house in place.

House lifts and holds are also done to bring the house to a higher elevation. This treatment is recommended for houses lying on flood prone areas. House lifting will help to avoid property damage and other problems caused by floods.

Make More Room

House raising is also a great way to gain extra space in the home. The ground floor can serve many uses. It can be used as parking space or a place for a garden shed.

House renovations can be done properly if all the structural portions of the house are considered, including the stumps of the house. House lifting is a great way of starting renovation if a house is suffering from stump defects or if it is lying on a flood-prone area. Find out more about house raising and restumping here.

Protecting Homes by House Raising

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Black & White House Raising and Restumping takes pride in being in the business of helping protect homes and lives from potential dangers. The company, which is engaged in house restumping, helps add value to an existing house that would have lost value in the market because of its location or structural soundness .

Making Homes Flood-Proof and Strong

The company’s services  include house raising for standalone residences lying on flood prone areas. As the climate gets more erratic every year, houses built on flood prone areas are in danger getting damaged. But there is hope with the technology that Black & White House Raising provides. It distinguishes itself from other house raising services with its dedication and focus on quality and customer service. Restumping could also be done to fix the level of the floor that had moved because of damaged stumps.

Other homes need house raising services to repair the stumps that could endanger the stability of the structures. If not given the needed attention, houses with rotting or pest infested stumps  may cause the flooring to become uneven. Worse, this could lead to a total collapse of supporting structures connected to the stumps.

Customers who would want to study or evaluate the costs related to house raising or restumping can have an obligation-free assessment from Black & White, giving the client the freedom to decide whether to go about the project.

Guaranteed Service

Given the complexity of house raising and restumping, Black & White gives clients the needed assurance in their every project. “With over 12 years experience, we are fully insured for peace of mind,” the company says. This assurance frees the homeowner from unnecessary worries in case some untoward accidents occur during the duration of the house raising project.

The company adopts strict guidelines in all its house raising and restumping projects. Black & White uses only the latest technology in house raising. Safety is the primary concern of the company in every house raising project. “Black & White also have a state of the art hydraulic jacking system which means your house is raised safely at the push of a button,” according to the company. Executing the house raising and restumping carefully and safely can mean breathing new life to a house that may have been regarded as worthless because of the structural instability. This house rescue of sort through raising and restumping could be done for the entire house or it could be to repair and replace stumps.

Lifts and Holds from Black & White House Raising and Restumping

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If a house becomes skewed or unlevelled, there are most likely some problems with the foundations. The most probable culprit would be damaged stumps. In other cases, the house needs to be lifted and re-stumped so as to put it on a higher level. This solution is viable for houses that lie on a flood prone area.

Black and White Raising and Restumping has been specialising in restumping and house raising in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Backed by more than 12 years of experience in the restumping and house raising business, Black and White offers quality service that fits the budget of homeowners.

Quality Lifts and Holds

The quality of house raising, particularly, lifts and holds, depends much on the  expertise  and the technology being used. Black and White makes sure that the house is raised safely to the height that is desired. The company uses advanced hydraulic jacks to safely lift the building to the intended height.

Upon lifting, Black and White holds the house in place using structural steel columns and beams. To make sure that the house is held in position securely, Black and White uses only Duragal steel, which has been tested for optimum strength and stability.

The Price Advantage

People often ask, how much to raise a house, when deciding whether or not to pursue restumping and house raising. The project cost will depend a lot on the size of the house being lifted.

If you have a house that is small with two bedrooms, the price is in the range of $15,000 to $17.000. A regular 3-bedroom house can cost somewhere from $18,000 to $26,000, but if it is a bigger 3-bedroom home, it could cost from $22,000 to around $30,000. Price does not incorporate other related costs, which include costs of plans, services disconnection and new concrete slabs.

The lift and hold costs are still considered more advantageous as you get to enjoy the better condition of your raised home without having to spend much more for a new building. Lift and hold  is also a very good way of preserving the classic old style of a residential building, such as a Queenslander house.

Your Peace of Mind

At Black and White, we put a lot of importance on your peace of mind. That is why we employ only the best technology in our projects. Our team is also fully insured, so there is no need to worry about any untoward incidents that might happen during the house raising operation. As a member of the Master Builders Association, Black and White is dedicated to providing quality workmanship in the construction work we are handling. Black and White can be contacted online at https://bwhouseraising.com.au/.

Things to Consider When Raising Your Home

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Some houses just need to be raised. The house could be located in a flood-prone area and house raising is a viable solution to keep it safe during the storm season. House raising is also a good way to get more space in the house or to repair old and damaged stumps.

If your house needs to be raised from its current position, it would take you a significant amount of money before that task is done. It is therefore wise to plan well before you engage in the project. Here are just some of the things you have to consider when raising your house.

Type of Stumps

Old, damaged stumps need to be replaced to properly restore the house to its former glory. There are various types of stumps that you can use to replace the old timber stumps in your house. Timber stumps do not last that long, especially if they get damaged by water or termites.

When replacing stumps you should consider using the more long-lasting material. Steel columns are the recommended material to replace stumps, especially for raising houses, because of their durability and low maintenance.

Steel columns may be hot dipped galvanised to make them more resistant to corrosion. Galvanised steel columns would cost you much more, but it would be worth it because the columns would last longer and require very low maintenance.

You also have to consider the height of the steel column. It would be good to make good use of the extra space you are gaining on the ground floor when your house is raised. The height of the steel columns would depend on the use you are envisioning. Higher steel columns would need braces for support to make the columns sturdier.

Hiring the Right Contractor

Getting the right contractor is very important if you are raising your house to a higher level. Look for a reliable and well-experienced raising and restumping company to do the house raising job. The company must have advanced equipment, including hydraulic jacks to safely raise the house to the desired level.

While it is good to check the pricing, the quality of the work should be the prime consideration when hiring a contractor for the house raising. This job requires a lot of experience and expertise, and if something goes wrong, you could end up paying so much more, as you would have to hire a better company to rectify the mistakes. Make sure that your contractor has the necessary expertise in the field and will use the right materials and equipment for safe and proper house raising.

The Importance of Elevating your Home

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Raising your home becomes inevitable when it is located in flood-prone areas . If your house has suffered damage before from massive flooding, raising your home will prevent further damage to it and save you from additional expenses. Even if your house is not constantly inundated by floodwaters during the rainy season, it is more sensible to elevate it.

What is Home Raising?

Lifting your home basically involves elevating the lowest floor of your home past the floor protection elevation (FPE), a level at which your house is considered safe from flood waters. A house that has been raised beyond FPE will be safe from floods or will only suffer minimal damage in case of stronger-than-usual floods.

The process of raising a house involves separating it from its foundations using hydraulic jacks. Temporary supports are placed under the house until a new or extended foundation is built underneath the house. The choice of new foundation can either be extended walls or independent piers, columns, pilings or posts.

Professionals like Black & White House Raising and Restumping are called to raise your home. The company offers its home lifting services at competitive prices. Black & White House Raising and Restumping uses an advanced hydraulic jacking system to raise your home safely and efficiently. For more information on house raising and restumping services, go to www.bwhouseraising.com.au.

Things To Do Before Home Lifting Begins

You have to seriously consider raising your home  if time and again rains and floods cause you to worry about your home and the valuables inside it. But before making an appointment with a professional domestic house raising company, there are a few things you need to do before the actual home lifting proceeds.

Familiarise yourself with local ordinances and codes so the process and act of lifting your home is done in a lawful way.

Decide on the level of elevation you want to implement for your house. This will determine whether your house will be protected from flood-based level, the 100-year flood, or the 500-year flood.

Perform a pre-study to know the kind of flooding your house is likely to experience. You will need to verify the following things: how deep the flooding is; the speed by which floodwaters could rise; the number of times floods could occur in any given year; the level at which floodwaters could rise and fall; how long the floodwaters will remain still before they fade; and how your house would fare with floating.

Look Before You Leap: Considerations For House Raising

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Many residents in Brisbane are looking at having their homes raised for a variety of reasons. Recent floods over the last few years have caused a need to make sure their homes are above flood level in prone areas. Any future floods that may occur will no longer be a problem and selling a home that is raised in a flood area will be much easier.

Renovations and extensions are another motivation behind getting a house raised. This allows for enclosing and for extra rooms or family space to be added underneath the house or a larger covered outdoor area. The value of the home is then increased and larger or growing families have the space they need to spend time together or apart.

Before you go ahead with house raising, here are a few pieces of advice that could save you some heartache and money.

Go professional

DIY is a huge industry and in some cases this is totally fine. When it comes to house raising though it is strongly advised that you get a qualified professional to do the work for you. The search for the best team possible ends when you contact Black & White House Raising and Restumping.

Black & White House Raising and Restumping are fully insured and have over 12 years of experience in the industry, which will give you peace of mind that the project will run smoothly.

Check the plans

Extensions and add-ons need to have council approval. If you don’t enlist the services of a professional on this job then you could end up with a big mess and changes that are not allowed. Black and White House Raising and Restumping will work with you on your plans to ensure that they will be approved and you can go ahead without error.

Budget for costs

You will receive an outline of the costs. If you are unsure of anything you can discuss this with one of the friendly team. Once you are aware of what you can expect to pay it’s important to budget for this. Just as with any spending, a budget will ensure you have the funds to pay for what needs to be done without you stressing over finances.

Advice and service from a professional when it comes to house raising is the only option you should take. For more information on this service from Black & White House Raising and Restumping click here.

Thinking of Raising Your House? – Some Valid Reasons

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When Europeans first settled in the Brisbane region, it was not long before they realised that to be comfortable in a sub-tropical climate, houses needed to be high enough to catch sea breezes and open enough to ventilate a steamy interior. As an added bonus, intermittent flooding caused little hardship when the muddy waters could swirl harmlessly under the homes, leaving the living areas intact.

Time and changes in architectural styles saw many variations on the original Queenslander as it came to be called, but a desire to follow overseas trends saw homes placed on concrete slabs on the ground. These proliferated not just in thousands, but hundreds of thousands during many years of dry seasons. A return of monsoonal floods over the last few years now has many homeowners questioning the wisdom of these decisions.

Get Living Space above Flood Level

As a business that specialises in house raising, we are experiencing constant enquiries from home owners wishing to raise their houses from ground level. Here at Black & White Houseraising and Restumping we have dealt with many distressed flood victims who want to stay in their current location, but want the best protection they can get from a recurrence of flooding.

Raising the existing dwelling above flood level gives them the security they need to live without fear of prolonged rain events. The added benefits they experience are an increase in the value of their property as it is now considered flood-free, and a reduction in insurance premiums for the same reason.

Create Extra Living and Storage Space

However, being flood-free is not the only reason we are seeing increased demand for our house raising services. With young people now staying in the family home well into adulthood, space is at a premium and the quickest way to create more living space  is to raise a low-set home. The lower level apartment provides accommodation and storage space without any loss of yard space. It could also serve the same purpose to care for an elderly parent.

Repair Problem Foundations

Old homes constructed before modern building codes came into effect can sometimes have problem foundations, and before undertaking major renovations, home owners need to rectify the situation. They contact Black & White Houseraising and Restumping for our assistance. We are able to raise the house and repair the foundations, leaving them with a building that has literally been renovated from the ground up, increasing its value and appeal to prospective purchasers.

We also undertake house raising just for the purposes of restumping the property. Many old homes were constructed on hardwood poles that have degraded over time and are no longer stable. Some home owners are happy with a low set home, but just want the stumps replaced with concrete ones. Whatever the reason, they contact Black & White Houseraising and Restumping for a professional result.