Michael & Tina
From plans to renovate and extend to custom designed duplex townhomes – this busy young family soon realised that knocking down and rebuilding was their only option to build the home of their dreams.
See their storyby Carlisle Homes
A knock down rebuild involves demolishing an existing property to create a fresh start and building a new house, making it a popular choice for owner-occupiers and investors aiming to achieve their dream home in their ideal suburb. This approach is often more cost effective than undertaking a major, stressful renovation or buying and moving to a new home, with the Housing Industry Association (HIA) noting it represents nearly a third of all new detached homes nationwide. [Source: REA]
Opting for a knock down rebuild allows families to upgrade their home while staying in their existing location or enables investors to purchase in a desirable area and maximise their returns. The growing demand for knock down rebuilds is driven by the scarcity of vacant land, a decrease in the number of both old and new standalone houses on the market, and the suitability of existing properties for redevelopment.
When you build with Carlisle Homes costs will always be fixed, with inclusions, promotions and site costs all made clear at the beginning of the process.
Choosing a knock down rebuild project offers the advantage of getting a fresh, modern, and energy-efficient home for often less than the cost of major renovations. This approach is also significantly less risky than renovating. Renovations are notorious for running over time and over budget due to the unpredictability of hidden issues, such as structural problems uncovered during the process. These unforeseen challenges can lead to extended timelines and unexpected costs.
In contrast, a knock down rebuild provides you with full control and a predictable path, ensuring your project stays on track and within budget, delivering a brand-new home tailored to your specifications.
The total of your knock down rebuild cost can vary depending on on a number of factors including:
It is crucial to find a builder who offers upfront, transparent and helpful information from the beginning and works with you throughout the entire journey - keeping you educated and informed along the way.
“Fixed price” can mean different things to different builders, so it’s essential to understand the specifics of what’s included in the price before you place a deposit on your dream home. This includes your site start and completion timeframes, and structural warranties, all of which are guaranteed by Carlisle Homes, but may not be by other builders.
Carlisle builds homes from $450,000 to $1,000,000 in the knock down and rebuild space across Melbourne and Geelong, with costs varying depending on the above scope, build location and individual requirements.
With Carlisle, the rebuild cost includes:
Comparatively, a major renovation can cost upwards of $250,000 plus any unforeseen costs.
Our personalised Carlisle Connect portal for customers to access throughout their build
When considering a knockdown and rebuild project, it’s important to consider the pros and cons to determine what is best suited to your individual situation, lifestyle and preferences. Below, we’ve outlined the key benefits and potential drawbacks of a knock down rebuild to help you make an informed decision.
Pro | Con |
Enhanced Energy Efficiency New homes are cheaper to run due to sustainable features like better insulation, double glazing and Hebel, saving you money on utility bills in the future and enhancing the comfort of your home. |
Complexity Building a new house can be a little daunting and sometimes stressful. At Carlisle, we aim to make the process as seamless and enjoyable as possible by offering upfront information, like our 60-page KDR information pack |
Customisation New homes can better suit the way families live with open-plan living areas and additional bathrooms, tailored to your needs. The layout and design of the overall block, including outdoor living spaces and gardens, can be altered to maximise space and comfort. |
Landscaping costs As the inner-suburban block needs to be levelled and cleared in preparation for a knockdown rebuild project, landscaping and its associated costs must be considered as part of the project cost. |
Stamp Duty Savings Save money on stamp duty and agent fees by building on your existing block |
Demolition Costs Initial costs for demolition and site preparation need to be allowed for when assessing whether KDR is right for you and your family. |
Lower Unforeseen Costs Costs due to unforeseen issues are much lower with knockdown rebuilds since you start with a clean slate. |
Rental Costs Renting while your new home is being built needs to be factored into your budget calculations at the beginning of the process. |
No Pre-existing Constraints No need to factor in any pre-existing forms or structural constraints into your new design, which is a more cost effective option. |
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Stay in Your Preferred Neighbourhood You can stay in or move to your preferred neighbourhood without the disruption and moving costs associated with relocating to a new area. |
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Premium Inclusions With any Carlisle home you build, you will receive premium luxury 365-day inclusions and exclusive promotional offers, along with a guaranteed site start date and completion timeframe. |
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Maintain your equity Homes built decades ago may have depreciated in value, but as scarcity of land has increased, especially in inner-Melbourne suburbs, land value has continued to climb. If you already have a house within an inner-Melbourne location, you can take advantage of your strong equity by knocking down and rebuilding - with all the advantages that come with it! |
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“We identified very early on that Carlisle had the best value for money. This took into account the standard inclusions, promos, façades and building costs… At the tender appointment, all costs were explained to us and the final pricing was quite reasonable considering it being a knockdown-rebuild and the amount of extras we added. Highly recommended for knockdown rebuild projects!”
Cassandra and Christopher
From plans to renovate and extend to custom designed duplex townhomes – this busy young family soon realised that knocking down and rebuilding was their only option to build the home of their dreams.
See their storyWith location a priority and a very clear idea of what they wanted in a new home, this clever couple made early plans to knockdown and rebuild.
See their storyOffering so much space and brightness, this young family fell in love with the Montague Grand floorplan and could see the possibilities in creating a home exactly as they wanted.
See their storyThere are a number of other costs to consider when you are embarking on a knock down rebuild project. A list of these potential costs are outlined below.
Application fees and processes vary between each local council throughout Melbourne, but every piece of land in Australia has a set of planning and building requirements that specify when a planning permit is required and the levels of compliance required when building a new home.
A knock down rebuild is no different to building in a new land estate, with building and planning permits required ahead of starting on your future home. The difference with a KDR project is that you’ll also need a demolition permit.
As the property owner, demolition of your existing home is your responsibility and the costs are separate to any building costs associated with Carlisle Homes. Generally, costs are impacted by the quality of access to your property, how much material needs to be removed (including any dangerous material like asbestos) and the presence of other structures close to the home.
You’ll need to source an appropriate demolition contractor and source quotes for removing your existing home.
As your existing home will be demolished, you’ll need to find temporary accommodation while your new home is being constructed. This may mean looking into a long-term AirBnb or a short-term rental.
For a full detailed list of the various permits and applications relevant to a KDR project, who manages them, where they can be sourced from and the cost estimates for each, please download our KDR Information pack.
Did you know we have a podcast dedicated entirely to the knockdown and rebuild journey? We cover everything from budget and finances, finding a suitable block, designing your home to suit your lifestyle, suitability, landscape design and automation. You’ll also hear from a customer about their journey to new home ownership in bayside Melbourne.
Listen at your convenience - available wherever you get your podcasts.
Ready to kick off your knockdown rebuild project in your dream location?
Chat with one of our dedicated knockdown rebuild specialists today who can talk you through the process, assess your site’s suitability and recommend home designs to suit your lifestyle.
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