Screw Piers for Tiny Homes: Fast, Durable and Eco Friendly Foundation

What Are Screw Piers?

Screw piers, also called helical piles, are high-strength steel foundation supports that are screwed directly into the ground without the need for excavation or concrete. They provide an immediate, load-bearing platform for residential and commercial structures.

Thanks to their versatility and adaptability, screw piers are suitable for a wide range of Australian soil types including sand, clay, reactive soils, and high-moisture or flood-prone areas, making them one of the most effective foundation systems for tiny home construction.

This tiny home was built over an existing sewer line. Piers were screwed in accordance with planning maps to ensure safe installation. Check out some of our projects from Brisbane to Bundaberg.

Why We Use Screw Piers Where Possible:

Screw piers are fast to install, taking only hours in good conditions.

No concrete trucks or concrete curing time; theoretically, your tiny home could be installed the same day. We prefer to leave the piers to sit for a few days to allow the soil to settle.

With screw piers, there is minimal soil disturbance, which means less piles of dirt for you to deal with.

Tight access site? No worries. If we can get an excavator in, we can get screw piers in.

They're eco-friendly, too, offering a low carbon footprint. Gotta pay respect to Mother Nature.

How Long Do Screw Piers Last?

When correctly engineered and installed, screw piers can last 75 to over 150 years, depending on environmental conditions and usage.

They often outlast the buildings they support.

For curiosity's sake, lighter applications such as sheds, fences or decks, lighter-duty screw piers may be warrantied for around 50 years. For larger residential or commercial buildings, heavier-grade screw piers can be designed for 100+ years of service life.

What Affects Screw Pier Durability?

Steel Quality and Coating

Hot-dip galvanised coatings protect steel from corrosion.

In some heavy-duty piers, thicker pier walls act as sacrificial material to enhance longevity without requiring coating.

High-tensile steel ensures structural integrity under load and torque.

Soil Conditions

Corrosive or highly acidic soils may accelerate deterioration.

We test your soil to ensure the correct application for maximum lifespan.

Additional protective measures (coatings or sleeves) can be added if required.

Load and Structural Stress

Screw piers must be engineered for the specific load of the structure. We do this.

Improper sizing or installation can lead to premature failure. We don't do this.

Installation Depth and Technique

Piers are typically driven 2 to 3, up to 6 metres deep, or until they reach competent, load-bearing strata.

Correct torque and alignment are crucial for long-term performance.

Installed using hydraulic drive heads attached to an excavator or similar machinery.

Screw Piers in Australian Construction

Screw piers are used widely across Australia in projects such as:

• New homes and residential extensions

• Prefab and modular housing

• Garden sheds, carports, and fencing

• Sloping or reactive clay sites

• Wetlands, coastal, and flood-prone zones

• Remote and rural builds

• Underpinning and foundation repair

If an excavator or drive head can access the area, screw piers are a reliable, time-saving solution.

Our thoughts:

Screw piers offer one of the most durable, efficient, and eco-conscious foundation solutions available in Australia today. Whether you’re building your tiny home on reactive soil, or constructing in coastal or flood-prone areas, screw piers provide unmatched versatility and longevity, often exceeding a hundred years of reliable performance.

We make sure the piers are engineered for your home and soil type for maximum life. You can rest easy knowing they're done right.

Ready to get started? Contact us here, or call on 0477 409 449.