Planning to knockdown your home and build a new, improved house on your existing block? Knockdown rebuilds are a great option for people who want to build a new home and stay in the same area. They can work well for people looking to build a bigger family home, downsize into something smaller, or change the style of their house. We take a look at everything you need to know.
The cost of a knockdown rebuild can vary based on a number of factors in addition to the build itself. When looking at a budget for your project, you need to consider each potential cost so that you can plan and prevent overspending.
Demolition costs will depend on the home you are knocking down. Consider if your home is older and likely to contain asbestos, and if there’s easy access for the demolition team. Demolitions typically cost between $15,000 and $30,000.
Site costs can be a large additional cost for a knockdown rebuild. Soil tests at the start of the process will help determine what foundations are required.
Many people choose to renovate their existing home instead of knocking down and starting from scratch. However, in many cases a knockdown rebuild can be cheaper and more efficient than trying to renovate your home to match your new needs.
Working with an existing structure can introduce complications and often homeowners need to compromise on what they want. The advantage of a knockdown is that you have a clean slate to create your dream home exactly the way you want it.
Another consideration is whether you want to take on a big building project by knocking down and rebuilding on your land, or if you want to move house altogether. Rebuilding has many advantages. You can stay in the same neighbourhood where you are comfortable and where you have community connections, such as your kids’ school. You can create the exact home that you want with no compromise, and you can customise your home for your needs.
Moving to a different house may mean living in a less desirable suburb, however it is faster for people who don’t want the time spent on a knockdown and rebuild process.
The knockdown rebuild process can take some time, but with careful planning it’s possible to not be out of your home for too long. From beginning to end, a knockdown rebuild will normally take twelve to eighteen months.
The first step is designing your new dream home based on your land. It’s important to check with your local council for any restrictions and get the required approvals.
Once you have council approval and your builder is ready to start, you can organise your home demolition. This only takes a few days, and afterwards your builder will prepare your site for construction.
The building process takes the longest and can be delayed by a variety of factors. More complex projects take more time, while simple, singly storey homes are built in just a few months.