The pros and cons of knock-down rebuilds

KNOCK DOWN REBUILD: PROS

YOU’LL HAVE A HOME IN YOUR IDEAL LOCATION.

No more compromising over the style of home so that you can have your ideal suburb or street. With a knock down rebuild you can choose your ideal block, and build your dream home in your ideal location. It might even be the site of your existing house, so you can keep your community connections and family roots in place, without compromising on the quality of your home.

YOUR HOME WILL BE UP TO STANDARD AND MODERN SPECIFICATIONS.

OIder homes are often fraught with hidden problems. They may be built using materials which are no longer deemed safe, such as lead paint and asbestos. And they might have issues such as pests, poor insulation, faulty wiring, mould and mildew or balloon framing. Building a new home on your block means you can rest assured it’s up to modern standards and specifications, with no unexpected (and costly) issues.

CHOOSE A DESIGN TO SUIT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Buying an existing home and renovating it can be a lesson in compromise. You’re restricted by the existing framework, layout and materials in the home. Choosing to knock down and rebuild means building a home designed to perfectly suit your needs, using your preferred materials and finishes.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY.

When you choose to knock down and rebuild, you’ll be doing so at a set price agreed with your builder, without any of the unexpected costs that can pop up with a renovation. Building from scratch is often more efficient timewise too, unlike renovations which can drag on for months (and years!).

KNOCK DOWN REBUILD: CONS

YOU NEED SOMEWHERE TO LIVE WHILE THE BUILD IS HAPPENING.

While the old home is being demolished and your new home is being built, you’ll need somewhere to live and somewhere to store your possessions, so factor this in if you’ll be needing to rent or live with family for a period of time.

YOU’LL HAVE TO GET COUNCIL APPROVAL.

Knocking down an existing home and building a new home in its place requires approval from  your local council. This is usually fairly straightforward, but it’s worth speaking with the council’s planning office before you start the process, to find out if there are any types of designs they are less likely to approve – for example a double-storey house in a street of single-storey houses might prove problematic.

HERITAGE HOME VS MODERN HOME.

If you’ve got your heart set on a heritage home then a knock down rebuild might not be for you. However, if you’d love a modern home with no need for expensive maintenance, it’s a great option.

FINDING THE RIGHT BUILDER CAN BE TOUGH.

You’ll need a building company with experience in knock down rebuild projects, ideally one which has helped previous owners navigate the process from start to finish. Be sure to look for builders who have a portfolio of previous projects to show you, and who seem confident in their process.

READY TO GET STARTED ON YOUR KNOCK DOWN REBUILD PROJECT?

Whether you’ve already purchased an older home and are ready to demolish, or are simply exploring options and want to find out more about how to plan for a knock down rebuild project, we’d love to help. Get in touch to get started today.