Are you situated in a Melbourne suburb that you love, but finding your existing home isn’t serving the needs of you and your household anymore? Or perhaps your home is tired and in desperate need of a makeover? While your mind might immediately go to a renovation or extension, there’s another, more cost-effective solution that may be better suited to your situation – a knockdown and rebuild with a Melbourne builder.
Simply put, a knockdown and rebuild is when you demolish your existing house and start from scratch by building a brand-new home on your plot of land. As builders working in Blackburn, Ringwood, Mitcham, and surrounds, we have plenty of experience demolishing and rebuilding custom homes in Melbourne’s east.
But there’s plenty to consider before you take the plunge. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about a knockdown and rebuild in Melbourne.
Renovation vs a knockdown and rebuild
The first thing to consider is what exactly you’re looking to achieve… For example, if you’re simply hoping to add some additional bedrooms, or you just want to update your existing home with an open-floor plan and modern utilities, it may be more beneficial for you to choose a renovation over a knockdown and rebuild. This will allow you to retain the elements of the home you already love, while tweaking aspects that aren’t suiting your lifestyle.
However, if you’re looking for complete freedom in transforming your Melbourne home, a knockdown and rebuild is probably a better solution. By knocking down and starting anew, you’ll be able to design a completely custom home, expertly tailored to your every specification.
Knockdown rebuild costs
One of the reasons why these projects are on the rise in Melbourne is due to cost. On average, it’s much faster (an average knockdown and rebuild takes 8-12 months) and a more cost-effective option than a renovation or extension. This is because you’re less likely to run into complications that may arise from updating or adding to an existing structure.
However, there are still many costs to be aware of. For one, you’ll have to factor the price of demolition into your budget, which can range from $17,000 – $40,000 depending on the size of your home, foundations, and any specialised equipment required. You may also encounter costs related to excavation and tip truck hire.
Once demolition is complete, you’ll be paying the same as you would for any custom home, which will vary greatly depending on the house size, layout and selections.
Understand the regulations and law
A knockdown and rebuild is subject to stringent planning restrictions and council regulations. You’ll need to receive council approval for both the demolition and construction of your home and you’ll also need to ensure there are no heritage overlays on your home or land.
A high-quality and experienced builder will always be able to guide you through the process of receiving approvals for a Melbourne knockdown rebuild, which is why it’s so important to engage your chosen builder at the very early stages of a project.
Looking to kickstart a knockdown and rebuild with expert builders in Melbourne? Get in touch with the team at Brownhill Homes today.
