Your engineer's soil report determines everything about your foundation. A geotechnical test reveals your soil classification which – dictates the final engineer design of your slab relative to your block. In Melbourne's South East and the Mornington Peninsula, reactive clay soil is the norm, not the exception.

Key Foundation Information

Concrete slabs (stiffened raft or waffle pod) suit most flat sites with stable soil
Strip footings with stumps work well on sloping blocks and provide underfloor access
Bored piers are needed when natural ground sits deep below fill or reactive clay
Your structural engineer designs the foundation based on your comprehensive soil testing requirements and site conditions

Most Common Types of House Foundations in Melbourne

Concrete Slab Foundations

Concrete slabs are the most common home foundation types across Australia, and you'll see two main variations in Melbourne's South East and regional building zones.

A stiffened raft slab features a 100mm thick steel-reinforced slab with deep edge beams and internal beams embedded into natural ground. This is your go-to option on moderately reactive clay soil (Class M or H sites under AS 2870).
A waffle pod slab uses polystyrene void formers underneath the slab to create a waffle-like pattern of concrete ribs. It's typically 85mm thick and, sits directly on compacted ground.

Your engineer will consider your soil classification, the size and design of your home, and how much the ground is likely to move seasonally, when determining the best type of slab foundation.

Strip Footings with Stumps

Strip footings create a continuous concrete beam around your home's perimeter, with individual concrete stumps or piers supporting the internal floors. You'll see this foundation system on sloping blocks where a slab would require extensive (and expensive) cut-and-fill work.

The house sits elevated and, this system adapts well to different gradients, making it a practical choice across the varied topography of the Mornington Peninsula.

Bored Piers

When your soil test reveals deep clay or uncontrolled fill on your knockdown rebuild site, bored piers become essential. These are cylindrical columns of reinforced concrete that are drilled deep into the ground until they reach stable natural soil or bedrock.

Bored piers are common throughout Melbourne because many established blocks have fill material from previous landscaping or demolition. They're more expensive than standard slabs, but they're non-negotiable when your engineer specifies them. You can't compromise on this – it's about the long-term structural integrity of your home.

How to Choose Between House Foundation Options

You don't actually choose your foundation type; your structural engineer does, based on hard data from your geotechnical soil test.

However, understanding the process helps you budget accurately and ask the right questions when discussing the construction timeline and building stages. Soil classification under AS 2870 ranges from Class A (stable sand or rock) through to Class E (highly reactive clay) and Class P (problem sites). Your classification determines foundation depth, concrete strength (20-32 MPa), and steel reinforcement specifications.

Flat sites with good soil often suit standard slabs. Sloping sites typically need strip footings or piers. Sites with deep clay or fill need bored piers, regardless of slope. Every site is different, which is why Beachwood Homes includes engineering and soil assessment as part of our professional site appraisal service.

Building Your Foundation Right From the Start

Planning a knockdown rebuild in Melbourne's South East or the Mornington Peninsula? The types of house foundations we've covered here will likely appear in your engineer's plans – but your specific home foundation type depends entirely on what's beneath your block.

At Beachwood Homes, we work closely with structural engineers to ensure your foundation suits your soil, your site, and your home design. We handle the soil testing, engineering liaison, and foundation considerations for established blocks so you don't have to navigate the technical details alone.

Get your foundation right, and everything else follows. That's where quality construction begins – below ground, before you see a single wall frame go up. Your home deserves that level of attention from day one.

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Types of Foundations for New Homes

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