Knock down rebuild

Love your neighbourhood but your home no longer suits? Destination Living will help you update your home.

Knock down rebuild in Melbourne

Do you renovate or knock down and rebuild?

Often the best way to buy into or stay in the neighbourhood you want is to knock down an outdated building and fashion a new home designed just for you. Destination Living can help you bring this dream to a reality, creating a wonderful home crafted for your family which fits in with the streetscape.

Upgrade to a new home and stay local

Many of Melbourne’s most character filled suburbs are populated with homes built for a bygone era. When rooms are boxy and the building is filled with small windows, limited benchspace or has a cluttered floorplan – the best approach is often to start again.

Whether it’s a narrow block home or difficult block build, at Destination Living, we have decades of experience creating new residences designed for the modern lifestyle. We can help you ensure your new home makes the most of an ideal location without overcapitalising its value.

Contact the KDR experts

Capitalise on all the features of your chosen site. You’ll find an initial appraisal helps you make an informed decision.

Considerations with a knock down and rebuild

Define your needs

We’ll help you start your thinking with a rational appraisal of your land’s value and the reasons for a knock down rebuild.

Whether it’s for your new home or an investment property where you’ll live in later on, it’s important to bring an experienced approach as this can impact greatly on the design you choose.

Location

We‘ll help you make a detailed assessment of your purchase, including the property’s access to amenities like shops, schools and transport, and the likely response of neighbouring owners to your plans.

Size

You should consider the size of your block to ensure you have sufficient space to construct your home.

Orientation

Our design will ensure you use the sun to your advantage and make your living space an inviting place to be. Good solar orientation increases the energy efficiency of your home, making it more comfortable to live in and cheaper to own.

Regulations

Planning policies and council regulations may impact on your plans for your block.

You will want to consider zoning issues and have a detailed understanding of site specific issues, such as easements and setbacks, overlays and covenants, which may restrict the style of the house you are hoping to build.

We can help you review title and planning issues before settling on your plans.

Physical constraints

Destination Living will also assess your site for natural hazards like fires or flooding, and ensure you make the most of surrounding trees and vegetation, slopes and access issues like parking.

Calculate the cost of your knock down rebuild home

Every knock down rebuild can often come with their own unique challenges and intricacies. With over twenty years of experience in designing and building custom homes, we can help you calculate the cost of your project.

Calculate your building costs

Knockdown and rebuild: FAQ Questions

How much does it cost to do a knockdown rebuild?

How much does a knockdown rebuild cost? We’ll design your dream home whose cost will vary depending on the size of home, your level of fit out and the shape and slope of your block. Architect designed, custom homes are more expensive than a volume built home. Use our handy online home building calculator to get an idea of how much your knockdown rebuild may cost.

Is it cheaper to knock down and rebuild or renovate?

If the overall structure of your home works for you, and you want small changes that make a big difference, renovating may be the answer. Conversely, if you have a lot of changes in mind, rebuilding will likely be cheaper. Keep in mind that older homes may have hidden problems that you may uncover in the build that may stretch your budget.

How do I know if I can knock down my house and rebuild?

We highly recommend you do the research to understand any constraints your site may have. Find out about your site’s overlays and any relevant services and easements. There are many restrictive overlays like heritage and landscape that may impact. Understanding the information in your title is also important – there may be height, material or setback restrictions that get triggered with a knockdown rebuild. Consult your council and conveyancer for this information. Once engaged, before design commencement we conduct a full site feasibility to confirm all of the above information and any additional information required for design.

Why knockdown rebuild?

Rebuilding means you can achieve your lifestyle on your terms in the neighbourhood you love.
If it’s a custom design home it can be designed especially for you, a one of a kind home design to suit your taste and how you want to live
You’ll have control of the project from design to delivery without the hassle of retro-fitting. Your builder will be familiar with the construction process without having to make educated guesses about the quality or soundness of the original builder’s work.
You are likely to have better budget control because every element of the project starts with you.

Is knock down rebuild worth it?

Absolutely. Knockdowns can be more financially viable than buying a modern established home or renovating, which can often involve cost blow outs. You get to choose your new home design and build every step of the way to suit your family and lifestyle. Build your dream life with Destination Living.

What to consider when choosing a knock down rebuild?

Destination Living will walk you through the factors to consider when deciding to knock down and rebuild on your property.

Define your needs: our experienced team will have a realistic discussion about what you want and what your specific situation and budget permit.
Location
Size
Orientation
Regulations
Financial constraints

Once completed, your new house is likely to reward you richly. A new build in an established, popular suburb is a strong candidate for excellent capital growth. And best of all, it’ll offer you a family home for decades to come.

What is the knock down rebuild process?

At Destination Living, we deliver your new home in seven simple steps:

Feasibility Study
Briefing Session
Concept Design
Virtual Reality (VR) Experience
Design Resolution
Working Drawings
The Build

We consult you at every stage of the process so we deliver everything you need.

How long does a knockdown rebuild take?

Every knockdown rebuild will have its own timeline due to the specific nature of the project. However, a knockdown rebuild can generally take 12 months depending on planning rules; size and orientation of the block of land; size and complexity of design; and weather constraints.