We assess, engineer, and stabilise foundations for homes and commercial buildings across Sydney. Reactive soils, subsidence, tree root damage, load increases. Engineered solutions, not temporary fixes.
Sydney's reactive clay soils expand when wet and shrink when dry. Add mature trees drawing moisture, poor drainage, or increased building loads, and foundations start moving. Doors jam, walls crack, floors slope. These aren't cosmetic issues, they're signs your building has lost its base.
METCON carries out underpinning across Sydney, working with structural and geotechnical engineers to assess the cause of movement, design the correct underpinning solution, and execute it to specification. Every underpinning project is engineered, documented, and certified.
Whether it's a single pier under a settling corner or a full perimeter underpin on a heritage terrace, the approach is the same: proper engineering, quality execution, full documentation.
If any of these sound familiar, it is worth a free site visit. We will tell you straight what your site needs.
Stair-step cracking in masonry is the most common visible sign of differential foundation settlement.
Frame distortion from foundation movement shows up as sticking, jamming, or gaps around openings.
A floor that wasn't always on a lean usually means one part of the foundation has dropped.
Separation at junctions indicates the structure is pulling apart due to differential settlement.
Reactive soils pushing up or collapsing under the slab create visible cracking and unevenness.
Daylight visible under the bottom course of brickwork means the footing has moved away from the wall.
Spot one of these? Send us a photo, we'll tell you whether it needs monitoring or immediate underpinning.
Every foundation is different. We match the underpinning method to the soil conditions, building type, and engineering requirements.
The traditional method. Sequential excavation beneath existing footings and placement of mass concrete to extend the footing to a stable bearing stratum. Reliable and well-proven.
Steel screw piles driven through unstable soil to reach load-bearing ground. Ideal for reactive soils, minimal vibration, and less disruption to the existing structure.
Expanding polyurethane resin injected beneath footings to fill voids, compact soil, and re-level the structure. Non-invasive, fast cure, suitable for lighter structures.
Concrete piers with reinforced beams designed to redistribute building loads to stable ground. Used where conventional underpinning isn't practical.
Replacement of deteriorated or failed timber or concrete stumps with new engineered supports. Common in older Sydney homes with subfloor access.
Addressing the cause of foundation movement. Subsurface drainage, root barriers, and moisture management to prevent future settlement.
A selection of recent underpinning projects across Sydney.
View all projectsEvery underpinning project follows our structured five-step process. Engineer-led, fully documented, and certified on completion.
We attend site, inspect the building for signs of movement, document damage with photos and level surveys, and assess likely causes. This becomes the brief for engineering.
A structural engineer (and geotechnical engineer where needed) reviews the findings and designs the underpinning solution. This specification defines the method, depth, and sequence.
We develop the full scope of works from the engineering specification, methodology, staging, access requirements, materials, and a clear, itemised quote.
Our team carries out the underpinning in strict sequence per the engineer's specification. Work is documented at every stage with photos and inspection records.
On completion, the structural engineer inspects and certifies the work. You receive full documentation for your records, council, insurance, or future sale.
Engineering reports, level surveys, photos at every stage, and certification on completion. Critical for insurance, council compliance, and property resale.
Most builders guess at foundations. We engineer them. Every underpinning project is led by qualified engineers, documented end-to-end, and certified on completion, so your building stays stable for good.
Every job is designed and certified by a qualified structural engineer.
We coordinate soil testing to ensure the underpinning method suits your site.
Meteora Constructions Pty Ltd, fully licensed in NSW with all required insurances.
Itemised, fixed-price quotes. No surprise variations halfway through the job.
Staged works planned to keep your home liveable or your business running.
Hands-on Sydney building experience going back to the 1970s.
Real reviews from homeowners, strata and builders.
They handled the DA, the engineer, and the build. We didn't have to chase council once. Massive wall, done in under two weeks.
Council approval sorted, engineering sorted, wall done in a week. Could not fault the process.
We needed a large gabion wall for a steep commercial block. Engineered, certified, and done on time. Professional from start to finish.
Straight answers from the builder. Anything else, just ask.
Yes. We manage the entire process, including:
You do not need to deal with council directly. We handle it all.
Every METCON quote is fully itemised and includes:
There are no hidden costs. What we quote is what you pay, unless you request changes to the scope.
We use a progress payment structure, which means you pay in stages as the work is completed. This is standard practice in the NSW building industry and protects both parties.
The exact payment schedule depends on the project size and is set out clearly in your quote. We never ask for full payment upfront.
Construction can sometimes uncover unexpected issues, especially on older properties or difficult sites.
If we find something outside the original scope, such as hidden asbestos, unstable soil or structural defects, we tell you immediately, explain the options and give you a clear cost for any additional work before proceeding.
You are never hit with surprise bills.
We cover the full scope of civil & structural work with one licensed team.
Back to Civil & StructuralPlain-language guides from our team on the questions we are asked most.
We service all of Sydney and surrounding regions, from harbourside terraces to outer-west estates and everything in between.
Foundation problems only get worse with time. Send us photos of the damage, and we'll tell you whether you need underpinning or just monitoring. No pressure, no sales pitch, straight talk from people who actually build.
