Answers

Plain answers to the questions we are asked most, from restumping to soil reports and permits.

Guides

House problems

Before you restump

Why a restumping quote is not a diagnosis, and what to do first.

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Soil reports

My soil report says Class P. Should I be worried?

What Class P means and why most house blocks get it.

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Permits

I need a retrospective building permit. What is involved?

How the process works and where an engineer fits.

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Soil testing

Soil reports explained

Site classes, turnaround, price and what is in our report.

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Land and site

LCAs and site feature plans

Wastewater, surveys and bushfire reports explained.

Read guide →

Restumping and house problems

Inspections and damage

Soil reports

Structural design

Land, wastewater and surveys

About us

Still have a question?

Call us during business hours on (03) 5333 3030, or send us the details.

(03) 5333 3030 Book an inspection

Tell us what you are seeing.

Call during business hours, or send the details and a few photos and we will be in touch to talk it through.

(03) 5333 3030

Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm
mail@mcclellands.com.au
201 Armstrong St North, Soldiers Hill, Ballarat VIC 3350

Answers

Guides

Before you restump

My soil report says Class P. Should I be worried?

I need a retrospective building permit. What is involved?

Soil reports explained

LCAs and site feature plans

Restumping and house problems

What is restumping or reblocking?

What is underpinning?

What is relevelling or packing?

Should I restump, underpin, relevel, inject or do nothing?

Do cracks in brickwork or walls always mean I need to underpin or restump?

Do bouncy or creaky floors always mean I need to restump?

Should I get a soil test before I restump or underpin?

Do I need a building permit to restump, underpin or rebuild?

Can floors always be made completely level, and will they stay level?

Will a repaired house perform like a new one?

Should I get my house assessed before I renovate?

How much does an inspection cost?

Inspections and damage

Can you help with work done without a building permit?

Will my insurance cover the damage?

What is a dilapidation report?

Can you check a new home for defects?

Soil reports

What is a soil site classification report?

Is a soil report the same as a footing design?

When is a soil report required?

How much does a soil test cost in Ballarat?

How long does it take?

Who should prepare a soil report?

Does it help if the same firm does the soil report and the footing design?

My report says Class P. Should I be worried?

Structural design

When do I need structural engineering?

Why is there steel framing on my drawings?

What is the difference between a structural engineer and a civil engineer?

What difference does an experienced engineer make?

Who do you usually work for?

Land, wastewater and surveys

What is the difference between an LCA and a soil site classification report?

Can I use an old LCA?

What if my site is badly constrained for wastewater?

Is a site feature plan the same as a contour plan?

Can I build without a site feature plan?

About us

Are you insured?

How do I check an engineer is registered?

Which areas do you cover?

Still have a question?

Tell us what you are seeing.