Wellington House Repiling
Foundation Repair Wellington
Sinking piles, earthquake damage, rotted timber, we fix it properly.
Licensed Building Practitioner. Serving Wellington and the wider region.
Get a no-obligation quoteFoundation Repair Wellington
Wellington's foundations take a beating. We fix them.
Wellington is one of the most challenging environments for house foundations in New Zealand. Clay soils, steep hillside sections, high rainfall, and some of the country's most active fault lines put enormous strain on the piles and framing supporting your home.
Wellington House Repiling specialises in foundation repair for Wellington homes. We assess, diagnose, and fix foundation problems, from a few rotten piles to full earthquake-damage repairs, all under LBP licence and to NZS3604 standard.
Owner Stephen Pihama is on every job personally. You deal with the expert, not a project manager who's never been under a house.
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Common problems
Foundation problems we fix in Wellington
Wellington's unique combination of terrain, soil, and seismic activity creates foundation issues you won't find in many other cities.
Sinking or settling foundations
Clay-heavy Wellington soils shrink and swell with moisture. Piles can settle unevenly over years, causing floors to slope and walls to rack.
Rotted or deteriorated piles
Older Wellington homes typically have untreated timber piles that can rot from moisture, fungus, or borer attack over time.
Earthquake-damaged foundations
Wellington sits on one of New Zealand's most active fault systems. Seismic events can crack, shift, or dislodge foundation piles.
Subsidence and soft ground
Some Wellington sections sit on soft, filled, or reclaimed land. Subsidence can cause serious foundation movement if not addressed early.
Unsecured or missing mechanical connections
Bracing piles and anchor connections resist lateral earthquake forces. Absent or failed bracing leaves your home vulnerable.
Damaged subfloor framing
Moisture, borer, and age can destroy the framing timbers that sit between your piles and your floor. This needs fixing before repiling.
Not sure what's wrong? Book an assessment, we'll tell you exactly what's going on.
What we do
Foundation repair services we offer
We handle the full range of residential foundation work. One call, one specialist, everything sorted.
Pile replacement
Full or partial replacement of timber or concrete piles. We remove failed piles and install new ones to NZS3604 standard, restoring structural integrity.
Foundation inspection & assessment
We come to your property, crawl the underfloor space, assess every pile and framing timber, and give you an honest assessment, free of charge.
Earthquake damage repair
Post-earthquake foundation assessments and repairs. We fix cracked, shifted, or dislodged piles and install bracing and anchor connections where required.
House releveling
Where foundations have settled unevenly, we lift and re-level the house and pack or replace the affected piles. See our dedicated house leveling page.
Subfloor framing repair
Rotten piles often come with rotten bearers and joists. We repair or replace damaged subfloor framing as part of a complete foundation fix.
Bracing & anchor pile installation
We install and restore mechanical connections, anchor piles, and securings to bring your home up to current seismic performance standards.
Our work
Foundation repair projects in Wellington
Photos from real foundation repair jobs across Wellington, Lower Hutt, and the wider region.
How it works
Our foundation repair process
No guesswork, no nasty surprises. Just a clear process from inspection to completion.
No-obligation assessment
Stephen visits your property and carries out a thorough underfloor and foundation assessment. You get an honest picture of what's actually going on, no charge.
Assessment Assessment & quote quote
We explain the issues in plain English and give you a clear, itemised quote before any work starts. No surprises.
Site preparation
We prepare access, protect the property, and set up equipment. Safety and tidiness are non-negotiable on our sites.
Foundation repair work
Piles replaced, framing repaired, mechanical connections secured, all work carried out to NZS3604 standard under LBP licence.
Inspection & sign-off
Stephen walks you through everything that was done, provides full documentation, and signs off the completed work.
Why choose us
Wellington's foundation repair specialists
Foundation repair done right the first time, by someone who does this every day.
Owner on every job
Stephen Pihama doesn't delegate to subcontractors. He's on the tools for every foundation repair, you get the specialist, not a labourer.
Licensed Building Practitioner
All foundation repair work is completed under LBP licence, compliant with NZS3604 and Wellington City Council requirements.
Foundation specialists only
We don't do kitchens, decks, or extensions. Foundations are all we do, which means we're very good at them.
Wellington expertise
We know Wellington's soils, slopes, and seismic conditions. That local knowledge shapes every quote and repair plan we give.
No-obligation assessments, no pressure
We assess your foundation at no cost and no obligation. If the problem is minor and doesn't need fixing, we'll tell you that too.
Tidy, professional finish
Every job site is left clean. Our reviews mention it consistently, because it matters when it's your family home.
NZS3604 Regulated
All foundation repair work carried out under LBP licence and compliant with the New Zealand Building Code.
What our clients say
Foundation repair reviews
Anna Castelle
"Highly recommend"
We were incredibly lucky to have Wellington House Repiling work on our house, which needed a lot of repiling work. Stephen was very professional, hard working and super helpful. He made the whole process feel smooth, so reliable, quick to reply, and always there when he said he would be. Nothing but good things to say.
Ronise Paul
"Did a great job"
Stephen and his team did a great job. Was prompt, professional and left the site tidy. Has made me feel secure in my property and I know what he has done will last for years. Can highly recommend!
Mal Laird
"Great repiling work"
Great repiling work from Stephen and his team on my property, very professional. Work was delivered on time and on schedule. Recommended.
FAQ
Foundation repair, common questions
What is foundation repair?
Foundation repair refers to any work that restores, strengthens, or replaces the structural elements supporting a building's base. In Wellington, this typically means replacing or reinforcing timber or concrete piles, repairing subfloor framing, releveling a settled house, or installing seismic mechanical connections to meet current building standards.
How do I know if my house needs foundation repair?
Common signs include: bouncy or uneven floors, sloping rooms, doors or windows that stick or jam, diagonal cracks from door and window corners, gaps between skirting boards and the floor, and creaking floorboards that have recently worsened. If you notice any of these, a no-obligation assessment will give you a clear answer.
What causes foundation problems in Wellington?
Wellington's combination of clay-heavy soils, steep hilly terrain, high rainfall, and seismic activity creates challenging foundation conditions. Timber piles rot over time from moisture and borer attack. Clay soils shrink and swell seasonally, causing movement. Earthquakes can crack or shift piles. Many Wellington homes are 50-100+ years old, with original untreated timber foundations that have simply reached the end of their life.
What types of foundation repair do you carry out?
We handle the full range of residential foundation work: full and partial pile replacement (concrete and timber), house releveling, jack and pack, subfloor framing repair, earthquake damage repairs, and bracing and anchor pile installation. We assess your specific situation and recommend only what's needed.
Do I need building consent for foundation repairs?
Most pile replacement and foundation repair work in Wellington can be carried out without a building consent under the exempt building work provisions of the Building Act, provided the work is done by a Licensed Building Practitioner. However, if the scope is significant or involves structural changes, a consent may be required. We'll advise you clearly before any work begins.
How long does foundation repair take?
It depends on the scope. Minor repairs or a jack and pack job can be completed in one to two days. Full repiling of an average Wellington house typically takes one to two weeks. We'll provide a clear timeline in your quote.
Can I stay in my home during foundation repairs?
In most cases, yes. Foundation repair work is carried out under the house, so the interior disruption is minimal. We'll advise you on what to expect before starting, and let you know if any specific work requires you to make alternative arrangements.
How much does foundation repair cost in Wellington?
Cost varies significantly depending on the number of piles affected, the type of piles required (concrete vs timber), ground conditions, and whether subfloor framing needs repair. A minor jack and pack job costs far less than a full repile. We provide no-obligation quotes tailored to your specific property, contact us to arrange an inspection.
Is earthquake damage to foundations covered by insurance?
In many cases, earthquake damage to foundations is covered under EQC (Toka TΕ« Ake) and your private insurer. As a Licensed Building Practitioner, Stephen can inspect and document earthquake-related foundation damage and provide reports that support insurance claims. Contact us to discuss your situation.
Do you cover Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Kapiti?
Yes. We service the wider Wellington region including Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and the Kapiti Coast. Get in touch to confirm coverage for your specific location.
Concerned about your Wellington home's foundations?
Don't wait for the problem to get worse. We offer no-obligation assessments across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and the Kapiti Coast. Stephen will assess your foundations, explain exactly what's going on, and give you a no-obligation quote.
Get a no-obligation quote