Knockdown rebuild
Love your street, not your house? Knock down and rebuild.
Keep your location, schools and neighbours, and get a brand new home designed for how you live now. A rebuild has a few extra steps compared with a vacant block, so here's what's involved.
Is your block suited to a rebuild?
Most established blocks are, but these are worth checking early, before you spend money on plans:
Planning overlays
Heritage and neighbourhood character overlays can mean you need a planning permit to demolish or to build. Your council's planning scheme shows what applies.
Title and easements
The title shows easements, covenants and any restrictions on what can be built on the land.
Width and setbacks
Older blocks vary a lot. Frontage, setbacks and neighbouring homes decide the size and shape of the new home.
Trees and access
Some councils protect significant trees. Machinery also needs access for demolition and construction.
The steps, in order
- Site check and designWe look at your block and plan a home that fits it, from a Homegroup design or a custom plan.
- Quote and contractYour quote covers the build and site costs, explained line by line. Plan and quote are free.
- Demolition consent and permitCouncil report and consent (section 29A of the Building Act) is needed to demolish a house, then a demolition permit from a building surveyor.
- Disconnect servicesPower, gas, water, phone and internet are disconnected or capped before demolition.
- Asbestos check and removalIf the home was built before 1990, it's checked for asbestos, and any removal is done by a licensed removalist.
- Demolition and site clearThe old house comes down and the site is cleared.
- Soil test, survey and building permitThese confirm the slab design and site costs for the new home.
- The build and handoverI stay in touch through each stage until you get the keys.
Costs to plan for beyond the build
A rebuild avoids buying land, but has its own extra costs. Plan for these early so the budget holds:
Before the build
- Demolition and site clearing
- Asbestos assessment and removal
- Disconnecting services
- Council and permit fees, and a planning permit if needed
- Tree removal, if allowed
While you wait
- Somewhere to live during demolition and the build
- Moving and storage
- Construction loan interest on the stages drawn
- Reconnecting services, and a new driveway or crossover if needed
Paying for it
Because you already own the land, the equity in it can often help with the construction loan. During the build you usually pay interest only on the amount drawn at each stage. I'll introduce you to a licensed broker who works with knockdown rebuilds, so you know your numbers before you commit.
General information only. Requirements differ between councils. Your building surveyor, council and building contract confirm what applies to your property. Sources: council guidance on s29A demolition consent · WorkSafe Victoria on asbestos.