Repiling Done Right: Why Your Renovation Starts with a Solid Foundation

When it comes to maintaining or transforming your home, it all starts from the ground up. Literally.

At Houses on the Move, repiling isn’t just another service — it’s the structural reset your home needs to stay safe, level, and ready for whatever comes next.

“With renovating, foundations come first. Always.”

🏠 What is Repiling?

House Repiling is the process of replacing or repairing the piles (or foundations) beneath your house. These piles — usually timber or concrete — distribute the weight of the home evenly across the ground. Over time, they can rot, sink, or shift due to moisture, poor soil conditions, or ground movement.

When that happens, the house follows suit. Floors slope. Windows jam. Doors won’t shut. You might even hear floorboards creak underfoot or see cracks forming in walls. That’s your house calling for help — and repiling is the solution.

🔧 The Repiling Process

We take pride in doing the job properly. Here’s how our expert team handles repiling from start to finish:

  1. Assessment & Consent
     First, we assess the foundation issues, inspect the condition of your piles, and help determine if repiling is needed. We'll also identify any root causes — such as drainage issues, broken pipes, or soil instability — to avoid future problems.

  2. Lifting the House
     We prefer to lift the entire house using hydraulic jacks. This modern method gives our team full access to the foundations.

  3. Removing the Old Foundations
     Once the house is elevated, we clear out the old or damaged piles and any concrete or brick structures like chimneys. If there's a deck, that will need to come off temporarily too.

  4. Installing New Piles
     We dig down to a good ground as specified in the building consent and install new timber piles — engineered to keep your house level and secure for years to come.

  5. Lowering the House Back Down
     The house is carefully lowered onto the new levelled foundation with precision. The result? A home that’s square, straight, and structurally sound.

💡 Planning a Renovation? Repile First.

If you’re thinking about renovating your home — especially major work like kitchens, bathrooms, or flooring — it’s crucial that repiling is done before anything else. A solid, level foundation ensures all your future work stays in place and doesn’t shift with the house.

🚀 Bonus Opportunities During Repiling

Repiling is also a smart time to tackle other upgrades, including:

  • Repositioning your house on the site to create more usable space or improve sun and views

  • Raising the house to add an underfloor level or garage

  • Installing underfloor insulation, plumbing or electrical work while access is easy

  • Adding another dwelling or preparing for future development

And the best part? All of this can be included under the same building consent as the repiling job — saving time and money.

🛠️ Signs You May Need Repiling:

  • Uneven or sloping floors

  • Doors and windows that don’t close properly

  • Cracks in internal or external walls

  • Creaking or bouncing floors

  • Humps or dips in the flooring

 Why Choose Houses on the Move?

With years of experience in house relocation and structural services across Hawke’s Bay and the North Island, our team knows what it takes to get the job done right. We don’t just fix foundations — we future-proof homes. Every repiling project is tailored to your site, your home, and your plans.

Get in Touch

Think your house might need repiling? Planning a renovation and want to start right? Contact the repiling experts at Houses on the Move today. We’ll give you straight answers, honest advice, and a clear plan to get your home back on solid ground.

📞 0800 ON THE MOVE 📧 info@housesonthemove.co.nz to book a site visit.




Shannyn Labuschagne