Design your dream home with a knockdown rebuild

Love where you live

Grown into your community but grown out of your house? Rebuilding keeps you in the neighbourhood you love but upgrades your home to align with your needs. You’ll stay perfectly positioned by remaining close to your friends and favourite coffee shops, restaurants and parks. A knockdown rebuild suits growing families wishing to stay near their children’s schools, empty-nesters wanting to downsize with more premium features, and professionals desiring a closer commute to work and the city centre.

Clean slate

While a renovation has its boundaries, a knockdown rebuild allows you to start - and dream - from scratch. You have the freedom to hit reset and choose new themes, room sizes, layout, and coveted extras like larger cupboards and additional bathrooms. You’ve got a clean, transparent slate, which isn’t always the case with renovating, when hidden - and stressful - surprises can often surface once work gets underway, like leaky pipes, unsafe wiring and patch-up jobs that quickly clock up more time and money. 

Save time and money

A knockdown rebuild potentially adds value to your patch. Building a brand new property on existing land can not only increase your happiness, but can also potentially increase its resale value. You can save cash because the design is packaged into the build, and avoid lengthy delays with a considerably shorter build time without waiting for registration for land. The option gives you more bang for your buck, says iBuildNew General Manager Tim Nichols. “With the average cost of building in Melbourne around $1,395 per square metre and around $1,200 outside of Melbourne, you may be able to achieve a new single storey home design for under $250,000,” he says. “This is dependent on the size of the house and any demolition costs, but regardless, the additional savings by avoiding stamp duty are significant."

Go for green

A blank canvas can be the beginning of a more sustainable base. You have the power to build an energy-efficient hub, which in turn can save you money. Think technological advances, sustainable building materials and renewable energy sources such as solar and rainwater. Plan ahead and optimise the orientation to maximise seasonal sun exposure, shade and cross ventilation. Add clever gadgets, set up smart technology and install automated lighting or security features as futuristic finishing touches.

Safe and sound

A new home means a fresh - and safe - start. At the end of the knockdown rebuild process, you’ll own a home that’s built to standards and adheres to building codes and regulations. Many aspects will also be secured with warranties. Gone are the potential safety issues like structural faults, lead paint, asbestos, mould and faulty wiring. Complete the picture by designing and installing a home security system.

Start with questions

Before you begin dreaming up your new design, it’s best to do some groundwork. Check if your land is suitable by firstly requesting a Section 149 from your local council. This will outline any planning information, zoning and restrictions, but be sure to ask for any additional requirements or information. When choosing a builder, Tim recommends asking if they have experience in knockdown rebuilds and what they'll have to complete to be successful for the knockdown rebuild. “Ask them about required demolition, what permits are needed, and what services are included in the builder quote,” he says.