The Ultimate Guide to a Knockdown and Rebuild
If you’ve outgrown your home, or just want to start from scratch again, a knockdown and rebuild project could be the perfect option for you.
Choosing to renovate or rebuild can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you’re new to managing housing projects. Before you start this exciting rebuild journey, it’s important to get all the correct information to ensure you’re making the right choices for your needs.
A house renovation can only go so far in creating your dream home. For some people, the perfect opportunity lies in getting the demolition crew to bring your current house to the ground so you can start fresh.
If you’re interested in a knockdown rebuild project, you might be wondering how much it’s going to cost and how long it will take.
But you don’t need to worry anymore. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know in one ultimate resource about the knockdown rebuild.
What’s a knockdown rebuild – and when to go for it
You might be living in the perfect area of Brisbane, Australia but sometimes your house just doesn’t quite fit the needs of you and your family.
You may want to try and find something new in your area, but you’ll normally run into two problems: you can’t find anything within your budget, or you can’t find a nice house in your local area.
When you want to maximise your lifestyle and have the freedom to design a house to enjoy for years to come, one of the only options left might be a knockdown and rebuild.
This is where you completely demolish your home and build another one on the same plot of land.
It’s becoming increasingly popular across Brisbane because more people are realising the benefits that come with upgrading your plot and starting fresh, rather than buying another property that’s already on the market.
If you already have a property and are thinking to upgrade it somehow, you might also consider a raise and build under project. We have an outstanding resource guide that covers it entirely. Feel free to take a look and drop us an enquiry.
Finally, here are some of the main benefits that come with a knock down rebuild project:
Build your dream home
When undertaking a knock down rebuild project, you don’t have to spend hours searching for houses online that fit all of your requirements – you can just make it yourself in a custom home build!
You have complete control over what your house looks like and can create something that really ticks all of your boxes.
Stay in the area you love
If you’ve grown to love the suburb you’re living in, you don’t want to leave it just because you no longer like your house. Also, the costs of finding a new block to live in (in both time and money) might just well be worth the knockdown rebuild.
Don’t say goodbye to your neighbours or favourite local shops, you can stay in the area you love and build a brand new house for yourself – it will work out a lot cheaper than relocating.
Turn an old house into a brand new home
You may have bought an old house with the idea of remodelling and renovating it to save money, instead of building one from the ground.
The existing home may sit in a good location, but you may feel the need to add your personal style. So, a new home where the old one stands is the perfect solution. For that, you’ll need a knock down rebuild.
Increase the value of your home
A knockdown rebuild could add significant value to your home. By creating a house that is both functional and aesthetic, you will be making much more profit if you ever come to sell the house in the future – as long as you work with the right partners to help maximise your home and value.
Upgrade your lifestyle
Finally, if you want to live a luxury lifestyle without spending all of your money to do so, rebuilding your house could be the easiest way to upgrade your life.
By choosing a knock down rebuild, you’ll be able to add swimming pools to your project or improve how natural light reaches your rooms, for instance.
Rebuilding is normally a much more cost-effective option than relocating, making it the perfect way to build a luxurious house while still keeping to a budget.
The process of knocking down and rebuilding your home can seem daunting, but when planned correctly, things can actually go pretty smoothly.
When working with a company like Watara Homes, you’ll get the advice and support you need to ensure your dream house is made into reality from the very beginning.
We offer a high-quality service and have vast amounts of experience working on houses in the Brisbane area.
We work to a standard process that is followed to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. Below, we’ll go through the entire process of knockdown rebuild projects. Feel free to also check our general standard process for home improvement projects as well.
In knockdown rebuilds, the process consists of:
Project planning
When you come to us with a new project, our knockdown rebuild consultants will start by taking time to understand your plans – from the overall concept to the much smaller details.
Consultation services
We’ll come and meet you in person so we can go through your project in detail. We’ll start to get a good idea of your goals and identify any issues that could show up along the way.
We want to help you optimise your projects, find innovative solutions and deliver outstanding results.
This way, we can establish the project goals, plus take a look around your plot to get an overall picture. This will be a great time to get to know us better, as well as tell more about what you’re pursuing by undertaking a knockdown rebuild.
You’ll note that we offer 3 options of consultation services, depending on which stage of the building journey you find yourself.
- Our preliminary estimate services offer a supporting hand to figure out the numbers as you go through the preparation process. This option tends to suit best if you have engaged a designer/ architect and have a concept design.
- If your documentation is complete and you’re ready to start the build, we can offer a detailed building proposal so you’re aware of everything that’ll go into your knockdown rebuild project.
- And finally, at Watara Homes, you also have the option to collaborate with our designers if you’re at the very start of your journey
Read more about these options on our construction process page.
In the initial phase, a site inspection is necessary for all rebuild projects. There are a few aspects we need to know before starting a rebuilding process, such as the soil test, checking established trees, and other details.
Soil tests, for instance, are meant to ensure the soil is adequate for undergoing the knockdown rebuild, being the first step into your rebuild journey.
Finalising proposals and contract agreements
Now we’ve had a good look through your project and you’ve gone through our proposals, we can start finalising all the documentation.
Before starting to plan the actual knock down rebuild process, there are a few bureaucratic steps to go through. For example, the building contract signing, agent fees, stamp duty, and the demolition permit.
This is where we have to worry about the building permit from the local council. We ensure we’ll offer all support in this step, providing you with a stress-free process to start building your dream home.
In this step, you’ll get the final documentation with price estimates. We will go through all of the planning costs that you may incur throughout the duration of your project and give you a fee proposal.
The project budget is given and managed via the Client Portal, powered by Buildertrend. You’ll get detailed home pricing, with all the knockdown rebuild costs.
After we’ve sent your plans off for approval, it’s normal for councils to request further information, or suggest amendments to the plans. The final approval is formalized by a written Authority to Commence construction letter.
Once we’ve reviewed the proposals together and made any required revisions, we will meet to sign a contract and get prepared for the most exciting stage – construction.
Construction stage
Once all the contracts have been signed and all the plans have been approved, we’ll get a construction team together and start putting your plans into action.
The first step in the construction process is the knockdown, so we’ll need a demolition company. We’ll probably be able to work with demolition contractors in this knockdown rebuild process.
We’ll arrive on-site two weeks before construction starts to introduce you to your building supervisor and the rest of the team who’ll be working on your project.
To keep you in the loop, you can expect weekly progress meetings and to update you on any upcoming items or important details.
Project completion and handover
At Watara Homes, we will always go above and beyond to deliver a smooth project handover that is well-documented and tailored to you.
We will also provide you with ongoing support and a 12-month defects liability period which means, if you’re not happy or have any concerns, we’ll be right there to help you.
Costs and Budgeting Tips For a Knock Down And Rebuild Project
A knockdown and rebuild project is definitely worth it if you’re currently dissatisfied with your current property. When starting a major project like this, you’re essentially starting your dream home from scratch. Naturally, this does make it a more expensive option than a standard renovation.
As luxury custom home specialists in Brisbane, we specialise in architectural custom homes and major renovations. Our projects typically start at $1.5M, with costs varying based on the scope and size.
Something to be aware of when choosing a builder for your knock down and rebuild is whether your quoted price includes the demolition fee. In the Brisbane area, demolition fees are calculated on a square-metre basis, with costs ranging from $50 up to $150/metre, providing there are no hazardous materials. This means that you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of $30,000 to $60,000 for the demolition.
Knowing all potential costs upfront is a really important part of starting a home project that results in exactly what you are looking for. We do recognise that it’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to creating a realistic budget. We’ve put together some recommendations for you below so you’re well-equipped when budgeting for your knockdown and rebuild.
Come up with an estimated budget early on
Coming up with a budget as soon as you can make the whole process much easier for everyone involved.
There’s no point calling in designers and architects when they have no budgets to work off. They will just come up with unreasonable and unrealistic plans that will cost way more than you would have ever hoped for.
Whether you’re considering a knock down rebuild or another kind of project, the budget is a crucial step in ensuring your expectations are
Costs and Budgeting Tips For a Knock Down And Rebuild Project
A knockdown and rebuild project is definitely worth it if you’re currently dissatisfied with your current property. When starting a major project like this, you’re essentially starting building your dream home from scratch. Naturally, this does make it a more expensive option than a standard renovation.
As luxury custom home specialists in Brisbane, we specialise in architectural custom homes and major renovations. Our projects typically start at $1.5M, with costs varying based on the scope and size.
Something to be aware of when choosing a builder for your knock down and rebuild is whether your quoted price includes the demolition fee. In the Brisbane area, demolition fees are calculated on a square-metre basis, with costs ranging from $50 up to $150/metre, providing there are no hazardous materials. This means that you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of $30,000 to $60,000 for the demolition.
Knowing all potential costs up front is a really important part of starting a home project that results in exactly what you were looking for. We do recognise that it’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to creating a realistic budget. We’ve put together some recommendations for you below so you’re well equipped when budgeting for your knockdown and rebuild.
met in the end. Take a look at our guide on how to form a budget for home improvement projects.
Research potential costs online
There are plenty of resources online that can help you when it comes to creating a budget and coming up with a knock down and rebuild cost.
You can research what different materials and fixtures cost, or ask other people about how much they spent on their projects to work out what the average cost to knock down and rebuild is.
You can even get in touch with us if you need to. Our professional team has worked on many projects so can quickly tell you if your goals fit within your budget.
Don’t forget the costs of your team
When you’re thinking about the costs of materials, furniture and other fittings for your budget, it’s easy to forget about one of the most important things – your project team.
Throughout the project, you’ll be working with architects, engineers, planners, plumbers etc. and they all need to get paid.
Receive a quote today
We hope that this article provided you with all the information you might need to know if you’re planning on knocking down and rebuilding a house in Brisbane.
We’ve taken you through the basics of the knock down and rebuild process, the benefits of rebuilding over renovating your home and shared some top expert tips on how you can come up with a realistic budget for your project.
Watara Homes is a home building company with several years of experience in Brisbane, Queensland. We’ll gladly provide the necessary support through the entire build journey, helping our customers with all the expertise of our rebuild specialists.
If you want to get started today, or simply want some more information to think over, get in touch with us today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help you out with any knock down and rebuild Brisbane questions.