Move a stump

[zx9]

I need to move a stump by approx 450mm as it is in the way. (long story short - ducted heater service guy said the heater should never have been placed so close to the stump - approx 400mm - said it should be at least 750mm - wont service the heater until it does comply)

I got a quote from a restumper for $950. There is good access and around 85cm clearance from the ground yet the restumper said he didn't know what to charge for such a small job so charged one days work even though it would only take him a couple of hours.

One other thing that stuck me about his quote is he said they would install a stump already set into a concrete base and carried into the hole as it was too small to get a truck in. (padsize 300x300x450 deep 150 base). Not sure how that would work.

Given the price and my understanding that the job doesn't require any jacks or leveling, just a hole, baseplate, stump & concrete I was wondering how hard it would be to do myself? Obviously I wouldnt remove the old one until the new one is set in place.

[johnc]

It is not complicated, dig hole to appropriate size and depth, fit stump, add concrete let set.
Once dry remove offending stump and the jobs done.
Your main worry is making sure you have not caused any problems, however unless there is a cut or load point above the stump to be moved I can't see how moving it 18" will cause anything.

The hardest part is digging the hole, you can get a cheap Ozitto with spade attachment and loosen with that and then drag out the fill by the bucket. I have a small garden spade head with a heavy lump of pipe welded to it we have used to replace stumps but if you haven't done much digging this is pretty hard on the shoulders in a confined space. There is no reason why you can't use the bagged stuff from the Hardware store, or get some aggregate and cement and mix it in the wheel barrow. You will be dragging it in by the bucket whatever you do.

Don't drag out all the dug up dirt you need to fill any holes up to ground level anyway so the underneath doesn't have places for water to pool.

[stevoh741]

I got a quote from a restumper for $950. the restumper said he didn't know what to charge for such a small job so charged one days work even though it would only take him a couple of hours.

Jeez, I wish I could charge $950 a day. I would have laughed him off my property.

[Craigoss]

850mm clearance, i'd be laughing, i've had to replace a heap of piers under my house with less than 500mm clearance. Get a small spade/shovel, dig the hole to required depth. If you don't care about mixing brick piers with aluminium piers (i.e. out of sight), get one of those adjustable aluminium piers (they are about $70, saves you having to do any brickwork), bolt to the bearer suspend in the hole. Mix up concrete and throw in the hole. Wouldn't expect it to take more than 4 hours work if you have everything ready to go.

[zx9]

Thank you all, sounds like something I can easily do however I do have a few questions. Aluminum stump sounds easiest. Where do I buy one? I assume bunnings dont sell this sort of thing. Once attached to the bearer is it just a matter of filling the hole with concrete? how much concrete goes under the stump. can I use the premix bags or do I need something better. How much of the hole do I fill with concrete before filling with soil. thanks again.

any tips on getting the old one out, dig it out of, cut it?

[Craigoss]

I'm using the lysaght uni-pier, check the lysaght website for their nearest supplier, there are plenty of other brands as well.