If you live in Melbourne and are considering rebuilding your existing home, here are 5 things to consider with a knockdown rebuild…
Do you love the area you currently live in, but maybe not quite loving your house? There are plenty of families in Melbourne who have either outgrown their existing family home, or maybe the house is a little worse for wear. When this happens you have 3 choices:
- Move to a new home in a new location
- Renovate your existing home
- Or knockdown and rebuild on your existing property
If you’ve been considering using a knockdown rebuild service in Melbourne, there are a few key elements to consider. This can include things such as council permits, block configurations, building costs and much more. We’ve put together a short guide to help get you started on this exciting journey.
- Is a Knockdown Rebuild Worth it in Melbourne?
- Renovate Your Existing Home? Or Do You Demolish and Rebuild A New House?
- Choosing a Leading Melbourne Builder for Your Knockdown Rebuild
Is a Knockdown Rebuild Worth it in Melbourne?
When it comes to real estate in Melbourne, it’s all about location! Different regions and suburbs in Melbourne mean something different to everyone. Maybe it’s the local schools, social scene, surrounding outdoor facilities, shopping precincts etc. that drew you to your current property location? So when you’re fortunate enough to own a property in your ideal location, do you really want to move?
There are plenty of reasons people are considering either moving from their existing home:
- Don’t like the current layout of the house.
- The house is too small and is no longer comfortable for your growing family.
- The house is old and dated.
If moving house means you are sacrificing your ideal block of land (or location), then renovating or rebuilding is the next logical step to consider. This will allow you to utilise existing space a lot better, build a bigger house, add on more rooms, larger living areas, or reconfigure outdoor space such as for a patio or swimming pool.
However, renovating doesn’t always fit the bill. Using experienced Melbourne custom home builders, you can better analyse the true costs and elements to consider when renovating. They can also help you to determine if a rebuild is more appropriate for your situation.
Here are some key advantages and disadvantages to consider when it comes to a knockdown rebuild for your family home:
Advantages of a Knockdown Rebuild
The knockdown rebuild strategy comes with many advantages. These include:
- You can stay in your existing ideal location/block of land.
- Rebuilding allows you to gain a good estimate of the cost right from the beginning, with less risk of unexpected surprises.
- You can design your dream home that fits perfectly with the existing block of land.
- Have complete control over the entire structure of the house.
Disadvantages of a Knockdown Rebuild
Not all knockdown rebuilds run smoothly. Especially when you’re dealing with multiple contractors and elements of the build. Some disadvantages that are typically experienced in a rebuild can include:
- Dealing with strict council approvals, and knowing how to comply with local council laws.
- Arranging for temporary accommodation and storage for your family, furniture, appliances and valuables during the rebuild phase.
- Experiencing unexpected costs, and extended timelines due to poor project management of your knockdown rebuild.
Most of these risks can be avoided by using a reputable Melbourne custom home builder, who can take care of your knockdown rebuild project from start to finish.
Partnering with a leading Custom Home Builder in Melbourne for your Knockdown Rebuild
There are many moving parts when it comes to navigating through the full knockdown rebuild process. The first thing you need to consider is partnering with a reliable Melbourne-based builder. Dymond Homes is a leading boutique home builder, who has over 30 years experience in the Melbourne building industry.
For a knockdown rebuild project, the team at Dymond takes care of everything – from planning, costing, council approvals, demolition, all the way through the rebuild and completion of your new home.
Dymond Homes also specialises in other building services, including:
- Home Renovations and Extensions: Creating more space and making your home more functional. Also includes apartment renovations, exterior renovations and interior renovations.
- New Home Builds: Create your dream house exactly as you envisioned it.
- Insurance Reinstatement: Insurance reinstatement projects to bring them back to life and make them better than they previously were.
We are a custom home builder known for providing finished products that are functional, stylish, and affordable. Our team is more than happy to talk to you about the cost to rebuild your home so that you can plan your rebuild budget and timelines.
Renovate Your Existing Home? Or Do You Demolish and Rebuild A New House?
There are times when it is more feasible to renovate your existing home. And other times when it makes a lot more financial and functional sense to knock down and rebuild from scratch. A quality builder will be able to run you through the important elements to consider so that you can make an informed decision for your building project.
What to Consider for a Knockdown Rebuild in Melbourne
A knockdown rebuild is much easier and affordable than you might think – provided you have the right team on your side. There are many elements to consider when it comes to a knockdown rebuild. These are 5 high-level components to think about that will help get you on your way.
1. Council Approval for a Knockdown Rebuild
Different Melbourne councils require you to follow certain building regulations and approvals. You will also need to have development certificates and demolition permits for your knockdown rebuild.
To ensure your rebuild is meeting the right obligations within your local council, you need to know what permits and approvals to obtain. An experienced builder is able to guide you through these requirements and help to apply for the right approvals.
2. Planning for the Rebuild
Planning is an important element for a rebuild. You want to make sure that the new house is suitable for your block of land. You will work with an architect and engineer to help finalise your new house plans.
Along with plans and council approval, your builder should then conduct a site assessment to ensure there is the right accessibility to the property for the knockdown rebuild.
You may even need to consider other elements for the rebuild, such as tree removal, disconnection of services and temporary fencing etc. An experienced builder should be able to guide you through these components as part of your building plan.
3. What is the Knock Down Rebuild Cost?
The next thing to work out is how much would the entire project cost? Make sure you are clear with the difference between the cost of demolition and the cost of building a new house. Both costs are calculated based on the total area in m2 (square metres).
You should work through all the costs that are to be expected when it comes to a full knockdown rebuild, and see if this fits within your budget. This can be a main aspect that determines if a rebuild or a renovation is most appropriate for your existing property.
4. Time needed for a Rebuild
You will also need to make sure that you are clear about how long it will take to finish the entire project. As your house is simply inhabitable during this period, you will need to plan for changes to your daily schedule (especially if you are dealing with schooling and working from home etc.). Also, additional budget considerations need to be included for temporary housing accommodation and storage for your furniture and valuables.
5. Using the Expertise of Specialists for your Knockdown Rebuild
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to any knockdown rebuild project. If you try to undertake this yourself, you’ll quickly find that coordinating permits, trades, specialists and materials is not an easy task. By using a custom home builder like Dymond Homes with expertise in new builds, renovations and extensions, you’ll have someone on your team who can guide you step-by-step through the full process. They will also manage your building project, ensuring your rebuild runs smoothly, on-time and on-budget.
Choosing a Leading Melbourne Builder for Your Knockdown Rebuild
So, we can see that there are many different elements to consider and coordinate when it comes to a knockdown rebuild in Melbourne. These 5 essential points are just the beginning to help get you going with your new project. While it may seem overwhelming, your rebuild project can actually be exciting and enjoyable when you use a custom home builder.
Dymond Homes has been building boutique homes for over 30 years throughout the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Our team can guide you through your knockdown rebuild project from start to finish, ensuring you can enjoy your new home stress free and on time.
Are you based in Melbourne and considering demolishing your existing home, and building a new house on your existing block of land? Our friendly team is ready to discuss your rebuild project to help you determine if this is the right building option for you.