Floor levelling for timber floors

Floor levelling brings a sloping or uneven timber floor back towards level by working on the stumps and structure beneath it. In Victoria, re-stumping, re-blocking and structural work must be done by a registered builder, and generally needs a building permit. Dwellix, a registered domestic builder (CDB-U 102264), coordinates and delivers floor levelling with suitably qualified contractors, and external engineers where required.

Key facts

Registered builder: re-stumping, re-blocking and structural work must be done by registered building practitioners. (Consumer Affairs Victoria)

Owner-builders: can’t do subfloor work. (Building and Plumbing Commission)

How level: re-levelled floors are outside tolerance if, within 24 months of completion, they differ by more than 15 mm in a room or 8 mm in any 2 m length. (BPC Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026)

Agree limits first: the acceptable extent of damage from restumping should be agreed before work starts. (BPC Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026)

Building permit: the exemptions don’t cover underpinning, replacing footings or altering a part that supports another part. (Building Regulations 2018)

Checked 8 October 2026.

What is floor levelling?

Work to bring a sloping or uneven floor back towards level. This page is about suspended timber floors: floors that sit on stumps or piers above the ground.

The Building Regulations 2018 describe the restumping and reblocking class of building work as sub-floor works and the levelling and supporting of existing structures so that they have solid foundations. For that class, the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) lists experience in establishing data for levelling, lifting with equipment such as hydraulic jacks, replacing stumps or piers, and replacing defective subfloor members and flooring.

Related work has its own pages:

replacing stumps: restumping in Melbourne and in Geelong;
rotten, damp or termite-damaged stumps, bearers and joists, and subfloor ventilation: subfloor repairs;
cracks, foundation movement and your rights if building work is defective: structural rectification.

We don’t take over or finish another builder’s incomplete project.

Sources: Building Regulations 2018, Schedule 12; Building and Plumbing Commission, “What is domestic building work?”. Checked 8 October 2026.

How level can a re-levelled floor be?

The BPC’s Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026 measures a re-levelled floor in two ways. Within 24 months of completion, it is outside tolerance if it differs in level by more than:

15 mm in any room or area; or
8 mm in any 2 m length.

The guide also says tolerances for restumping an existing building should take into account:

the pre-existing structural conditions, including the extent of any previous movement;
how the new and existing building work interact;
existing services, such as plumbing and electrical installations;
the likelihood of consequential damage to the existing building;
any other factor that restricts re-levelling.

The guide applies to contracts entered into, or work started, on or after 1 August 2026. It’s advisory: legislation, the National Construction Code and your contract take precedence. It may apply to renovations with care, because the standards for new and existing work can differ. New timber floors have their own, tighter tolerances; see structural rectification.

Source: Building and Plumbing Commission, Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026. Checked 8 October 2026.

Can floor levelling cause damage?

It can. The BPC’s guide says that, given the nature of restumping work and the likelihood of damage, the parameters for damage should be specified and agreed before work starts. Damage that goes beyond the agreed or specified parameters is outside tolerance.

Source: Building and Plumbing Commission, Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026. Checked 8 October 2026.

Why an older floor may not come back fully level

A floor that has settled over many years has usually moved together with the walls, doors, windows and pipes around it. Lifting it all the way back can crack plaster, move door and window frames and strain plumbing, so the right target is often a floor brought within limits the house can take, rather than a perfectly flat one.

We record the floor levels before work starts, agree the target with you, and with the external engineer where structural design is needed, and allow for making good afterwards. Larger corrections may be done in stages. For what the subfloor work can involve, see subfloor repairs.

Who can level a floor?

Where the work involves the floor’s structure, a builder registered with the BPC. Consumer Affairs Victoria says re-stumping, re-blocking and structural work must be done by registered building practitioners, and that for structural work the builder must be registered whatever the cost. The BPC says owner-builders can’t do subfloor work. Check a builder’s registration, status and any conditions on the BPC’s public register before you sign. Dwellix Pty Ltd’s registration is CDB-U 102264, in the Domestic Builder – Unlimited class.

New floor coverings are a different job. Consumer Affairs Victoria lists installing floor coverings among single-trade tasks that don’t need a registered building practitioner. Where a renovation scope includes floor coverings, we supply and install them, for example carpet and floor tiles, or sand existing timber floors; see property refurbishments.

Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria; Building and Plumbing Commission. Checked 8 October 2026.

Does floor levelling need a building permit?

Generally, if it involves the stumps or other parts that hold the floor up, and your building surveyor confirms. The exemptions in Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 don’t cover work that adversely affects structural soundness, involves underpinning or replacing footings, or removes or alters a part of the building that supports another part. Which subfloor repairs may be exempt is explained on our subfloor repairs page.

As the owner, you’re responsible for making sure the permits you need are in place. If your home is in a Heritage Overlay, work that changes its appearance can also need a planning permit, which must be issued before the building permit. See our building permits guide.

If your project needs a building permit, we handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them. Where structural design is needed, we coordinate a suitably qualified external engineer. Engineering scope, costs and responsibilities are confirmed for each project.

Sources: Building Regulations 2018; Building Act 1993; Consumer Affairs Victoria; Victoria Planning Provisions, clause 43.01. Checked 8 October 2026.

What should you agree before floor levelling starts?

The BPC’s guide and Victorian law set out what to settle before work starts:

Damage limits. The BPC’s guide says the parameters for damage from restumping should be agreed before work starts.
A written contract. Most domestic building work worth more than $10,000 needs a written major domestic building contract, and you should receive the Domestic Building Consumer Guide before you sign. Legal limits on deposits and progress payments apply; see renovations.
Home Warranty. For contracts signed from 1 July 2026, Home Warranty, the BPC’s statutory insurance, applies to eligible work valued at more than $20,000, subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions.
Your own insurance. Consumer Affairs Victoria suggests checking with your home and contents insurer, before work starts, that you’re covered for the renovations.

Sources: Building and Plumbing Commission, Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026; Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995; Consumer Affairs Victoria; Engage Victoria. Checked 8 October 2026.

What affects the scope of floor levelling?

how far the floor is out of level, and why it moved;
the condition of the existing stumps, bearers and joists, including any previous movement;
access under the floor;
plumbing, electrical and other services under the floor;
the building permit and any structural design your building surveyor requires;
heritage or other council approvals;
related work, such as new floor coverings.

We quote after a site inspection and a detailed scope, so the price reflects your home.

How a Dwellix renovation runs

Send us your address and we’ll confirm whether we can take on your project.

Initial enquiry and consultation.
Site inspection and assessment. For floor levelling, this includes the subfloor where it can be safely accessed, plus the signs you’ve noticed.
Detailed scope preparation.
Quotation and client approval.
Contracts, approvals and permits where required. We handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them. We coordinate any engineering design required.
Trade scheduling and procurement.
Construction and project supervision.
Relevant inspections and quality checks.
Practical completion and handover. You receive the compliance certificates for any plumbing and electrical work, the certificate of final inspection where the work has a building permit, and the manufacturer warranties and manuals for what we install.

Frequently asked questions

How level should my floor be after re-levelling?

For contracts entered into, or work started, from 1 August 2026, the BPC’s Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2026 treats a re-levelled floor as outside tolerance if, within 24 months of completion, it differs in level by more than 15 mm in any room or area, or 8 mm in any 2 m length. The guide is advisory; the law and your contract take precedence.

Does floor levelling need a building permit?

Generally, if the work involves the stumps or other parts that hold the floor up, because the exemptions don’t cover underpinning, replacing footings or altering a part that supports another part. Your building surveyor confirms. In a Heritage Overlay, work that changes your home’s appearance can also need a planning permit.

Can I level my own floor?

Not if it involves the subfloor. The BPC says owner-builders can’t do subfloor work, and Consumer Affairs Victoria says re-stumping, re-blocking and structural work must be done by registered building practitioners. Installing new floor coverings on its own is a single-trade job that doesn’t need a registered practitioner.

How much does floor levelling cost?

We don’t publish a set price. The scope depends on how far the floor is out of level and why, the condition of the subfloor, access, services, the permit and any structural design required, and any related work. We quote after a site inspection and a detailed scope, so the price reflects your home.

Is floor levelling covered by Home Warranty?

It can be. For contracts signed from 1 July 2026, Home Warranty applies to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000, including repairs and alterations. It’s the BPC’s statutory insurance, not a builder’s product, and it’s subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions. It doesn’t cover work by unregistered builders.

Can an old floor be made perfectly level?

Not in every case. A floor that has settled over many years has moved with the walls, doors and finishes around it, and lifting it all the way back can crack plaster and move door frames. We agree a realistic target with you before work starts, and with the external engineer where structural design is needed.

Enquire about floor levelling

Enquire and tell us what you’ve noticed about your floors. Send us your address and we’ll confirm whether we can take on your project. Prefer email? Write to sales@dwellix.com.au.

General information only, checked 8 October 2026. Rules change; confirm requirements for your property with your building surveyor or council.