Top Melbourne suburbs for knockdown rebuild
by Carlisle Homes
What is a knock down and rebuild (KDR)?
A knockdown and rebuild project involves demolishing an existing home or property to make way for a brand-new one.
According to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), knockdown and rebuild projects account for nearly one-third of all new detached homes across the country (Source: REA). This shows that knocking down and rebuilding is proving to be a popular option for both homeowners and investors looking to build their dream home in a location they love.
Rather than dealing with the challenges and hidden costs of a significant renovation, or trying to find an established home that perfectly meets all their lifestyle requirements, a knockdown and rebuild offers the opportunity to build a brand new home perfectly suited to the buyer’s preferences.
Why buy someone else’s dream when you can build your own?
Why knock down and rebuild?
There are many benefits to knocking down an existing home and rebuilding a new one. It’s important to consider all of the pros and cons specific to your situation, to determine whether it’s the right option for you.
We have outlined the benefits of a KDR below:
Cost transparency
When deciding whether to renovate, relocate and buy an established home or knockdown and rebuild, it’s important to consider costs and finances. When undertaking a knock down and rebuild with Carlisle Homes, all of the costs for your knock down and rebuild project will be known upfront. When starting your planning, you can explore our various home types and their prices on our website, and our experienced team will ensure you understand the process and any costs you need to be aware of. This makes it easier to budget for your dream home.
A home to perfectly suit your needs
A knockdown and rebuild offers the opportunity for you to build a new home exactly as you want it. Unlike renovating, which often involves compromises due to budget restrictions, existing structures or hidden surprises, building new with Carlisle Homes means a home designed to perfectly suit inner-suburban block sizes, a floorplan that can be customised to meet your needs and the freedom to choose all of your colours, fittings and fixtures to reflect your unique style and design tastes at our Spectra Showroom.
Energy Efficiency
When you build with Carlisle Homes, your new home is guaranteed to have a minimum 7-star energy efficiency rating, with the option to enhance this further. As you’re building new, your new home can be perfectly oriented to the block. By using sustainable materials like Hebel and a steel roof in your build, as well as adding things like upgraded insulation and more energy-efficient appliances, your new home will be naturally brighter, more cost-effective to run and comfortable year round.
Future proofing and market value.
Building a new, sustainable home with a minimum 7-star energy-efficiency rating will result in cheaper utility bills and maintenance costs, as well as minimising your environmental impact.
If you are knocking down your existing home and rebuilding, you will avoid buying and selling fees including stamp duty, while retaining the existing equity in your property. You also have the commitment from Carlisle of a fixed price contract, building timeline and structural warranty - giving you complete confidence in your planning and budgeting.
Moreover, a brand-new home can significantly boost your property’s market value, often attracting higher resale prices compared to renovated older homes. This makes a knockdown rebuild not only a lifestyle upgrade, but also a smart financial investment.
Home as pictured - Amberley Grand Pantry
How to find the right block for a knockdown and rebuild
If you already own the land you want to build a home on, perfect. But if you’re still looking to buy land, it will be worth getting your preferred house builder to analyse your shortlist of blocks. When undertaking a knockdown and rebuild with Carlisle Homes, we will test the soil of your site and ensure it can access utilities. We’ll also offer recommendations on if and how the block needs to be prepared for construction; for example, whether you need trees removed or the site to be cleared. Our discoveries at this stage are the starting point for your building plans.
Other things to consider when searching for a suitable site for your knock down and rebuild project are:
- Block size, orientation and slope: These elements influence the design and placement of your new home.
- Easements: Essential services sometimes run underneath blocks, so it’s important to check if any exist on your land as they can determine where your new home can be built.
- Planning restrictions: Understanding any local planning restrictions and regulations will also help you determine what can be built on your block.
- Street access: Restricted access, proximity to high-traffic areas and whether there are any overhead power lines present can impact your cost to build a new home, particularly if traffic management is required.
- The area: A knock down rebuild allows you to stay in the area you know and love, but if you are new to the location, ensure it aligns with your lifestyle and family needs. You’ll also need to ensure that your chosen builder constructs homes in your area. Explore our Carlisle build zone map to determine whether we build in your area.
- Soil quality: Evaluate your soil and site conditions including any neighbouring properties. Soil tests and surveys are usually one of the first reports that Carlisle will order for your block.
Speaking with one of Carlisle’s specialist KDR New Home Sales Consultants is a great first step in assessing the feasibility of a knock down rebuild for your property - visit us at one of our many displays or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Or to understand the entire process a little more, visit our KDR page and download our 60+ page KDR Information Pack.
How to choose the right suburb for a knock down and rebuild
Block sizes in Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs are typically well-suited for knockdown rebuild projects. The most common dimensions are 50 feet wide by 140 to 154.2 feet deep (15.24 metres by 42 to 47 metres), as a result of the original sub-division of land in these areas. Once sold as half-acre (200-feet-wide) lots, many of these blocks were then subdivided into 50-foot-wide parcels, making them ideal for a knockdown and rebuild project.
When selecting the right suburb for your knockdown rebuild project, consider the following key factors:
- Location: Proximity to your kid’s schools, local amenities, shopping strips, work and public transport is imperative when choosing the ideal place for your new space. A well-connected suburb not only aids in managing busy daily schedules, but also contributes to the long-term value of a property. Living within close proximity to these essential services, as well as having access to parks and cultural amenities, will also make your home’s location more desirable for future buyers, ensuring a solid return on your investment.
- Future Growth: If you are looking for an existing home to knock down in one of Melbourne’s popular suburbs, it’s a good idea to keep your eye out for locations with strong potential for property value appreciation. This can include looking at historical growth trends, shifts in buyer demographics, well-performing and schools in high-demand, neighbourhood trends, wage growth and any planned infrastructure or development upgrades in the area. Suburbs with a proven track record of consistent growth are likely to continue to appreciate, making them a solid choice for your KDR project.
Carlisle designed knockdown and rebuild homes specifically for 50-foot-wide blocks
At Carlisle, we already offer many floor plans to suit 50-foot-wide (15-metre) blocks. But we have just expanded our luxury Affinity Collection of homes to include six plans specifically designed for knockdown and rebuild projects and local zoning regulations for inner and middle-suburban Melbourne blocks.
This makes it easier for you to choose a home or floorplan for your new knock down and rebuild project. These homes include:
Popular suburbs for knockdown and rebuild
Some of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs for knockdown rebuild projects, offering strong investment potential and desirable living conditions include:
South East
- Ashburton
- Bentleigh and Bentleigh East
- Blackburn
- Box Hill
- Camberwell
- Glen Iris
- Glen Waverley
- Kew
- Wheelers Hill
West
- Albion
- Altona
- Braybrook
- St. Albans
- Williamstown
- Yarraville
North
- Brunswick
- Essendon
- Preston
- Reservoir
Carlisle Homes builds new homes across all of Melbourne and Geelong. Explore our Carlisle build zone map to determine whether we build in your area of choice.
Don’t forget to consider your finances
With any construction project, it’s important to consider your finances and budget. Carlisle Homes offers an in-house finance team who can guide you through the home loan application process, including bridging loans and comparing home loan products. We offer specialist advice on finance for new home builds including:
- Analysis and comparison of hundreds of home loan products
- Assistance with your financial planning and insights into your needs
- Expert guidance on home loan structure and servicing
- Assistance with any government grants
Working with specialist finance experts will save you time, money and stress throughout your new home build. Contact them for an obligation-free chat whenever you are ready.
The process of building a home on your own land
Construction is always a complicated process, but by stepping it out clearly, it becomes far more manageable. At Carlisle Homes, we have a transparent, seamless process to help you build your dream home on your land, which you can discover in detail on our website.
Successful knockdown rebuild project in Aspendale
After years of uncertainty and countless build options, Michael and Tina finally found their dream home in the beautiful bayside suburb of Aspendale. From exploring the possibility of renovating, to building duplex townhomes, they explored every option, only to discover that the perfect fit for their family was to build a brand new home and demolish the old one. It was then they found the Matisse 35 by Carlisle Homes. The moment they saw it, they knew it was the one - a home where they could envision a future with their three children.
You can read more about their KDR journey in detail here, or explore more stories from other happy customers. You can also listen to Tina on Episode 6 of our Home Files podcast.
Knockdown Rebuild Podcast - Home Files by Carlisle
Did you know we have a podcast dedicated entirely to the knockdown and rebuild journey? Listen here to Episode 3, specifically focused on navigating the world of finance and budgets for a knockdown rebuild project.
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.
What do you need from me to get started?
To start the process, we need:
- An accurate and full copy of your Contract of Sale of Land, including your Land Title document.
- Any ideas you have about your preferred home design from the Affinity Collection or Inspire homes.