Restumping recommendations please

[vladt]

Hi Guys/Gals.

Sorry if this has already been done to death but I am looking to get my Californian re-stumped. Would love any recommendations (good or bad). I am located in Melbourne, SE, near Chadstone.
There are so many advertise in yellow pages, but after the horror stories I read about here, I will only go with a recommended contractor.

Please help

Cheers
Vlad

[zenwood]

Have a look here for some options:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=33440

[vladt]

Thanks heaps for your pointer Zenwood.

Cheers
Vlad

[Metal Head]

Hi Vladt,
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I did write a reply the other day but it got lost because of a timeout. However I will try to remember what I said from my recent experiences. Firstly, I would check with the building commission if the builder you are going to have is licensed. You can do this via the Building Commission which can be found at the link below<O</O
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http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/7-home-page.asp

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Also check they are licensed to do restumping as there are different categories (classifications) of builder.
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You can (if you live in Victoria) contact the Master Builders Association of Victoria (MBAV) who have a code of ethics that their members must follow (or they will be kicked out) this can be found on their homepage on the kink below<O</O
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http://www.mbav.com.au/vpLink.aspx?ID=1<O</O
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You can also find a member in the search facility on this site. If you have decided on a builder and they claim they are covered by HIA, then check it out. I know from my experiences that over 50% of the guys who quoted on the work I wanted carried out WERE NOT members even though they claimed to be and had the logo on their quote and business card(s). I would also ask to see some of their jobs done over a year ago to see if they are still OK, if they refuse then you have to worry what are they trying to hide!!. Remember you should get a permit to start and one to finish the job. So don’t pay the full amount at the end of the job until you get it.
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I hope this helps you and anyone else going down this track. It can be very slippy slope for the uninitiated.<O</O
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Regards<O</O
David

[vladt]

Thanks for your advise David.
I will make sure to follow all the steps you listed.
Do you have any personal recommendations on a good restumper/reblocker?

Cheers
Vlad

[Metal Head]

Thanks for your advise David.
I will make sure to follow all the steps you listed.
Do you have any personal recommendations on a good restumper/reblocker?

Cheers
Vlad

Hi Vlad,

I just sent you a PM.

Regards
David

[Kerryv]

Hi there, I am getting my house restumped in a few weeks. Here are a couple of guys that were recommended on this site some time ago. I have copied other people's recommendations for you. I only saw info about Advanced Reblocking Specialists after I had negotiated a price and booked in with Michael from Australian Reblocking so I am going with him.

'It was about $4800 to do a hundred pins under a Cal Bugalow. Service was excellent and job quality appears to be good. There were in and out in about 4 days. The guy's name is Mick.' Australian Reblocking Malvern VIC 3144 ph: (03) 8508 9868

'I can recommend a stumper for you, I have recently had him do a place I have in Newport. He did an excellent job. He knows how to deal with Williamstown/Yarrawille/Newport area houses because of his knowledge of the foundation condition and changes that typically occur. He lives in the area, and has worked in the area for decades. He came recommended ot me by the stumper I had do my own house (now retired) who also did an excellent job. My own experiences indicate good tradies and tend to know, work with and recommend good tradies.
His name is Martin, his company:
Advanced Reblocking Specialists
03 9689 2704
0418 319 550'

Good luck.

[vladt]

Hi Kerry,

Thank you very much for your recommendation. I have just had Michael quote me for my house. He seemed to be very professional and didn't mind getting right under the house to check things out thoroughly. I think I will be going with him. Since I am not in any particular rush, I wouldn't mind waiting until he completes your job to get your final recommendation.

Thanks again

Vlad

[Kerryv]

Hi Vlad, good to hear you have similar feelings about going with Michael. I think he seemed quite genuine so fingers crossed. I liked how he said to me that there would be minimal cracking and he also said he would only disconnect my ducted heating system compared to other stumping guys who told me I would have to replace some of it.

I am getting my stumping done at the beginning of September so will let you know how I go.

Kerry

[Kerryv]

Hi Vladt, just letting you know how I went with my restumping/reblocking. Well I'm happy with the actual restumping job. The house is level now. Michael had to lift the house a lot to get it level. I have to step up when going through the front and back door now. He said that last time it was stumped it was probably not releveled at all. They are doing a few adjustments today as a couple of doors aren't shutting properley anymore.

With regards to cracking, I am planning on repainting the interior anyway so don't care about paint peeling but didn't plan on quite as much cracking in the plaster. The cracking of paint is mostly vertically in the corners. The cracking of the plaster is mainly where two pieces of plaster meet that used to go under a picture rail so this is to be expected but then there is also vertical cracking that goes from the picture rails up to the cornices which is a bit scary in a few spots. It's repairable though. I think it's probably a normal level of cracking to expect considering how out of level the house was.

A couple of tiles in the bathroom popped out too. This is ok as I have to put a new bathroom in anyway. My renovated kitchen wasn't damaged at all.

Anyway overall I'm happy with the job and looking forward to renovating inside now knowing that it's done. Good luck with your house. Let us know how you go.

Kerry