Knock down rebuild Brisbane: What to know

What is a knock down rebuild?

A knock down rebuild is a process whereby you demolish your existing home and build a new one on the same property. It’s a way to get the home you want in the location that you already love. It’s also a smart way to invest in property if you can find a cheap, older house in a desirable location. Knock it down, build a more modern home and take advantage of the great location.

Benefits of a knock down rebuild

There are plenty of reasons people choose a knock down rebuild in Brisbane over other methods of getting a new home. Here are just a few:

• Stay in your preferred location
• Avoid real estate and government fees
• No need to move
• Keep kids enrolled in local schools
• Access properties in desirable locations
• Increase the home’s value

The list above isn’t exhaustive, and there may be some negatives around a knock down rebuild too, but it all depends on your circumstances and what you want out of your new home.

How much to demolish your existing house?

You might be wondering how much it costs to knock down a home and build a new one, and the first cost is to demolish your existing home. Typically, it costs between $20,000 and $40,000 to demolish and remove an existing home, but there are quite a few factors that can increase this cost.

Asbestos: With asbestos in the old home, extra precautions need to be taken. Overall, this might add up to $10,000 to your costs. Basically, if the existing home was built before 1990, there’s a chance that you’ll find asbestos in there.

Block access: Depending on the location, you may find there are additional expenses if your block is hard to access. This is simply because it takes longer for demolition crews to get in and out and do their work.

Underground issues: If you’ve got really old pipes, old footings or even large tree roots, these all need to be removed or replaced, so there may be extra costs involved.

Obviously, the size of the house will play a part too, which is why the figure of $20,000 – $40,000 is quite broad.

Steps for a knock down rebuild in Brisbane

Below are the steps for a knock down rebuild. It should be noted that we’ve listed demolition at number one, but the reality is you will probably be exploring house plans and even council approvals before you start this process.

1.     Demolish existing home

Before you can rebuild, you need to knock down. We’ve touched on the costs already, and this process can vary in length. Ultimately, the existing home and footings need to be completely removed before any site testing or preparation for building can occur.

2.     Choose a new home design

This is where you will link up with a local building company to discuss the plans for your new home. For example, if you work with Avondale Homes, you have a range of options available. You can choose from any of our magnificent home designs, and this can save some time because they are already done. Tweaks can be made to suit your needs. Alternatively, you can go for a custom build, where you’ll work with our team to come up with completely new designs according to your specifications.

3.     Council approval

You can’t build a new structure without getting council approval first, so once your house designs are finalised, it’s time to get them approved. Your building company will likely help with this step, and the process can be even quicker if you’re working from ready-made house designs. This is because your building company has probably already had them approved.

4.     Site testing

An important part of any new home build is site testing and surveys. This basically just ensures the site is safe and there’s nothing lurking underground that could complicate the process.

5.     Building

Finally, it’s time to build your new home. From your point of view, this is the easy part. You’ll just need to find some alternative accommodation while the new home is built, but then you’ll be ready to move into your brand-new home in the location you love.

Looking for a knock down rebuild in Brisbane?

If you’ve decided that a knock down rebuild is the best way to get the home of your dreams, we’d love to help those dreams come true. Contact Avondale Homes today, your experts for knock down rebuilds in Brisbane.

FAQ

How much does it cost to build a new home?

It’s a little bit like asking how long a piece of string is. All homes are different. Statistics from April 2022 suggested the average cost is $473,000 in Queensland, however, the cost will vary depending on the size, complexity, fittings and a number of other factors.

Can anybody knock down and rebuild in Brisbane?

Absolutely. As long as there are no safety or council issues, anybody can choose a knock down rebuild.

Will my new home be more energy-efficient?

It certainly will be, most new homes have better energy efficiency, but again, this comes down to how it is built. If you want energy efficiency, make sure this is discussed with your builders. There are plenty of ways to ensure your new home costs less to run.