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Knockdown and Rebuild in Melbourne

Whether you’re a long-time homeowner, an entrepreneuring property investor or a first-time purchaser, you may be considering the benefits of a knockdown rebuild. A knockdown rebuild is the process of knocking down and rebuilding a property instead of renovating. By considering a knockdown rebuild, you’re opening yourself up to a solution for outdated housing designs, poor builds and weak property values.

Whether you’re a long-time homeowner, an entrepreneuring property investor or a first-time purchaser, you may be considering the benefits of a knockdown rebuild. A knockdown rebuild is the process of knocking down and rebuilding a property instead of renovating. By considering a knockdown rebuild, you’re opening yourself up to a solution for outdated housing designs, poor builds and weak property values.

modern construction of big luxurious home
Modern construction of big luxurious home with grass and trees around

Is a knockdown rebuild worth it?

The decision to demolish is never an easy one, and various factors can influence your decision on when to knock down your old house. Still, there are many situations where it’s ultimately more feasible and financially beneficial.

When approaching any property decisions, the first step is proper consideration and research towards the value of your options. When comparing a knockdown rebuild with renovation, you need to consider the extent of renovations and expenses related to your goals.

  • Are the renovations going to cover a large portion of the property?
  • What is the value of your property in the local property market?
  • Do you love the house, or just tolerate it?

Many older homes can be subject to damage and degradation, such as termite damage, structural faults, mould and foundational damage. Renovation costs can also climb due to unexpected complications, issues sourcing materials for house modernisation and complicated renovation processes.

By performing a complete demolishment, you can quickly address these issues and reduce hefty costs dealing with these issues around your house. Most look at a knock-down rebuild to increase the value of their home and property. This can be one of the most cost effective investments you make on your property.

Knockdown rebuild vs. renovations costs

A renovation will typically cost less than a knockdown rebuild. However, the initial cost is not the only factor when reviewing the financial benefits between these two options. What’s most important is infact the total value gained for the cost.

To gauge this, you’ll first want to figure out the numbers you will be working with for the desired renovations through research and professional quotes. By hiring a professional surveyor or builder, you can estimate these costs quickly. It’s advisable to add on 15 to 20% budget to any renovation quote as a buffer for unforeseen challenges prior to the final project sign off.

Renovations can get expensive, with hired contractors potentially encountering many issues, so you need to prepare your budget accordingly. If we look at simple cosmetic renovations for a single room, investments could range (depending on a multitude of factors) between:

Residential home construction, frame wooden house outdoor
  • $25,000 – $65,000 for kitchen renovations
  • $15,000 – $50,000 for bathroom renovations
  • $5,000 – $20,000 for garden deck constructions and installations
  • $5,000 – $35,000 for bedroom renovations

Knockdown rebuilds can vary even more, depending on the size and scope of the project. For an average piece of land in Melbourne; a basic single-story project house built after a knockdown could set you back as little as $250,000, whilst an architecturally designed custom home built after a knockdown could be as high as $2,421,900.

Like any investment, you’ll need to calculate the return on investment (ROI) offered by renovations, versus a knockdown rebuild. An excellent way to get the figures required is to contact some local real estate agents and find out the ceiling value for local properties, compared to the ceiling value for your property after any work is completed.

Interior construction of housing Construction building industry new home construction interior drywall tape. Building construction gypsum plaster walls

Generally, a knockdown rebuild will result in a higher ROI due to the demolition process removing any hidden issues you might find during renovation. A rebuild also provides the freedom to create from scratch, rather than having to carefully maintain specific areas of the original home. The ROI for a knockdown rebuild is also generally higher as newer homes command a higher market value due to modern styling, energy efficiency and a “clean bill of health”. Knockdown rebuilds allow you a clean slate to work from and not just in terms of design. By establishing a new property, you also start from step one on repairs and maintenance, reducing the likelihood of significant issues in the next 15 to 20 years. The only downside of a knock down rebuild is the higher cost entry point versus a renovation.

Renovations are usually picked for smaller-scale jobs, for situations where budget won’t allow for the ideal knockdown rebuild scenario, or where owners have an emotional attachment to the property.

In terms of space maximisation, energy-efficient solutions, and increased property valuation, a knockdown rebuild would usually come out on top.

Client Testimonials

  • BRUCE AND PAM
    We were fortunate to meet Malcolm, Vance and their team at what was a very stressful time for us. Our first builder having gone into liquidation with our home only at frame stage. Their helpful and professional guidance was invaluable when going through the insurance process. They completed our home to a very high standard and we were kept fully informed through the entire process. They were always available to answer any questions we had. We had a particular desire for a high quality finish to our kitchen and in this regard they exceeded our expectations. If you are looking for a dedicated professional team to build the home you have always dreamed of, then in our experience the Forme Building Group is the company for you.
    BRUCE AND PAM
    CLYDE NORTH
  • DARREN
    We really appreciate your ability to complete the home in such a manner. Especially with the circumstances attached. I am sure you are making a lot of people happy at the moment. I would happily recommend you to any family ready to build.
    DARREN
    MCCRAE
  • BERNADETTE, TREVOR & NIGEL
    Dear Malcolm, We just want to say ‘thank you’ and how very truly grateful and appreciative we are for everything you and your team have done for us. You really are an amazing team. Thank you especially to you Malcolm for all the patience you’ve had and to Vance and Maaike for their continued support throughout. Having chosen Forme Homes to create our new home is a wonderful feeling. Thanks again. We love our home and can’t wait to move in.
    BERNADETTE, TREVOR & NIGEL
    CRANBOURNE EAST
  • HAYLEY & ANT
    Malcolm and Vance were very accommodating with changing a few things in our plans to better suit us. They also went above and beyond in helping us obtain our subdivision and gave us guidance where it was needed. Communication was exceptional throughout the build and Maaike provides great administration support and is very prompt with responses.
    HAYLEY & ANT
    LANG LANG
  • GLENN
    I have very much enjoyed working with the Forme Homes Team on this project and am very happy with how the project finished up. Special thanks to Vance. Nothing was too much trouble and his help, advice and patience was much appreciated. I won't hesitate to recommend you guys to anyone and look forward to the opportunity to work with you again.
    GLENN
    ROSEBUD DEVELOPMENT
  • BRENDAN & NICOLE
    Forme Homes were great from start to finish, guiding us through the home building process for first time builders and offering excellent suggestions along the way to make our dream home.
    BRENDAN & NICOLE
    CRANBOURNE SOUTH
  • Paul & Mona
    Thanks to the Forme Homes team for delivering us a beautiful family home. We couldn’t ask for more. The process was so smooth at every level until the end stage, and the results were outstanding. We cannot fault even anything from emails (responded quickly), professionalism, quality, time frame, care, precision and much more. Everyone who sees it is full of admiration. Forme Homes team were very attentive to all our concerns and details. Specially heaps thanks to site manager “John”. Really down-to-earth person. When we bought a sloping land, we were very unclear about what plan would work, but Forme Homes made it possible by building us a dream home easily. We are over the moon with the results. It’s very challenging to find good builders during this time, but we are glad we found one. We (Paul and Mona) would heartily recommend Forme Homes to anyone thinking to build.
    Paul & Mona
  • Ruffian Chiram
    After wasting money with drafts, architects, and so many dodgy builders, we finally found a good one! We haven't built yet and only got past the drafting stage, but the time spent with Forme Homes was better than all of the past experiences. We were worried about certain restrictions being an odd-sized block, but Lorna worked her magic, even going to the block itself and drafting a plan that totally amazed us - thank you Lorna. There's a reason why Forme Homes has 5-star reviews. We will definitely be building with Forne Homes, and I do recommend building your home with Forme Homes. Thank you, Vance. Thank you, Lorna.
    Ruffian Chiram
  • Tara Delgrosso
    So happy with our new beautiful family home. What a wonderful company to work with, they made our experience stress-free, and nothing was ever a hassle. Everyone at Forme was so lovely to deal with, we couldn't speak more highly of them and our end product. Thank you once again.
    Tara Delgrosso
  • Brendan Boyd
    Forme Homes were great to deal with for building our family home. From the design stage to completion, everything was professionally completed to a high-quality standard.
    Brendan Boyd
  • Lili Z
    Great quality and services. Responsive and responsible.
    Lili Z

The process of a knockdown rebuild

Frame of house

Once you’ve committed to a knockdown rebuild and have undergone the demolishing process, a significant constraint on your rebuild can be the land itself. Different property land types such as sloping and flat can influence the complexity of your build, with sloping ground increasing the build considerations required.

Ultimately regardless of land type, the goal of your knockdown rebuild will be to maximise the viability of your property; this means emphasising house space through either expansion, multi-level development, subdivision or seamless architectural design.

The housing market has a hefty paper trail with council approval, so you’ll have to start dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s before anyone knocks down a house. These permits can include the following depending on your region:

forme-homes - belvista
  • Demolition permit
  • Building permit and building approval
  • Asset protection permit
  • Town planning permit and planning approval
  • Any other permits advised by your local council for a knockdown rebuild

Ultimately, this process will come down to careful consultation and research into local regulations and legalities. Consideration will need to be given to heritage overlays and listing. Houses falling within these categories are houses registered as heritage properties. They will have a lot more red tape to deal with to ensure that any planned changes don’t interfere with the house’s character. Once you have all of the paperwork complete, the land surveyed, quotes lined up, and the financials sorted, it’s a matter of preparing for the demolition.

The demolition itself will require a permit, typically provided by your registered building surveyor. Conditional to the fencing of your property, disconnection of all utilities (gas, electrical, internet, water), treatment of the property for pests, removal of hazardous materials and salvage of reusable materials might need to happen two to three weeks before application. The overall application process can take anywhere from five to 30 days, and the demolition itself can generally take up to two weeks.

Home rebuilding from the ground up

We expand on this whole process, minus the demolition, in our article: The 10 Stages of Building a Home. Simplified however, the steps for a knockdown rebuild come down to:

  1. Planning and Research
    In this step, you will get professional assessments, inquire into permits and local regulations required, begin the appropriate processes, assess hazardous materials such as asbestos, and ensure your finances are in order. You will also need to consult your local real estate agent to determine the ROI of your build.
  2. Design
    This is the fun part! In this step, you’ll consult Forme Homes about the overall design process and determine what it is that you want from your brand new home.
  3. Final Assessment
    This is where you’ll begin to finish off any required applications and get extensive inspections completed for soil testing, contour site surveyance and an overall compliance check to ensure that your build complies with local council regulations.
  4. Demolition
    Once all the permits and applications have been acquired and approved, the process of demolition kicks off. Post mechanical demolition and subsequent cleanup, you’ll be provided with a demolition clearance certificate, indicating that construction can now commence!
  5. Construction
    From the rubble of your old house your new home will be born, with all the bells and whistles to give you a leg up in your local property market.
Architect in helmet with blueprints looks at camera in a building site
forme homes - Brighton

A knockdown rebuild offers you all levels of freedom to escape problem-riddled properties with weakened market value, or to build the home of your dreams in the location you love. By knocking down a preexisting build, you could also branch off into a subdivision of land and develop investment properties, maximising your rental capacity, with the added security of a brand new home.

Purchasing your first home can be an exciting process, but nothing quite compares to having a home custom-tailored to your needs and wishes.

Contact

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Is a knockdown rebuild worth it?

The decision to demolish is never an easy one, and various factors can influence your decision on when to knock down your old house. Still, there are many situations where it’s ultimately more feasible and financially beneficial.

When approaching any property decisions, the first step is proper consideration and research towards the value of your options. When comparing a knockdown rebuild with renovation, you need to consider the extent of renovations and expenses related to your goals.

  • Are the renovations going to cover a large portion of the property?
  • What is the value of your property in the local property market?
  • Do you love the house, or just tolerate it?
Residential home construction, frame wooden house outdoor

Many older homes can be subject to damage and degradation, such as termite damage, structural faults, mould and foundational damage. Renovation costs can also climb due to unexpected complications, issues sourcing materials for house modernisation and complicated renovation processes.

By performing a complete demolishment, you can quickly address these issues and reduce hefty costs dealing with these issues around your house. Most look at a knock-down rebuild to increase the value of their home and property. This can be one of the most cost effective investments you make on your property.

Knockdown rebuild vs. renovations costs

A renovation will typically cost less than a knockdown rebuild. However, the initial cost is not the only factor when reviewing the financial benefits between these two options. What’s most important is infact the total value gained for the cost.

To gauge this, you’ll first want to figure out the numbers you will be working with for the desired renovations through research and professional quotes. By hiring a professional surveyor or builder, you can estimate these costs quickly. It’s advisable to add on 15 to 20% budget to any renovation quote as a buffer for unforeseen challenges prior to the final project sign off.

Renovations can get expensive, with hired contractors potentially encountering many issues, so you need to prepare your budget accordingly. If we look at simple cosmetic renovations for a single room, investments could range (depending on a multitude of factors) between:

  • $25,000 – $65,000 for kitchen renovations
  • $15,000 – $50,000 for bathroom renovations
  • $5,000 – $20,000 for garden deck constructions and installations
  • $5,000 – $35,000 for bedroom renovations
Interior construction of housing Construction building industry new home construction interior drywall tape. Building construction gypsum plaster walls

Knockdown rebuilds can vary even more, depending on the size and scope of the project. For an average piece of land in Melbourne; a basic single-story project house built after a knockdown could set you back as little as $250,000, whilst an architecturally designed custom home built after a knockdown could be as high as $2,421,900.

Like any investment, you’ll need to calculate the return on investment (ROI) offered by renovations, versus a knockdown rebuild. An excellent way to get the figures required is to contact some local real estate agents and find out the ceiling value for local properties, compared to the ceiling value for your property after any work is completed.

Generally, a knockdown rebuild will result in a higher ROI due to the demolition process removing any hidden issues you might find during renovation. A rebuild also provides the freedom to create from scratch, rather than having to carefully maintain specific areas of the original home. The ROI for a knockdown rebuild is also generally higher as newer homes command a higher market value due to modern styling, energy efficiency and a “clean bill of health”. Knockdown rebuilds allow you a clean slate to work from and not just in terms of design. By establishing a new property, you also start from step one on repairs and maintenance, reducing the likelihood of significant issues in the next 15 to 20 years. The only downside of a knock down rebuild is the higher cost entry point versus a renovation.

Renovations are usually picked for smaller-scale jobs, for situations where budget won’t allow for the ideal knockdown rebuild scenario, or where owners have an emotional attachment to the property.

In terms of space maximisation, energy-efficient solutions, and increased property valuation, a knockdown rebuild would usually come out on top.

The process of a knockdown rebuild

Once you’ve committed to a knockdown rebuild and have undergone the demolishing process, a significant constraint on your rebuild can be the land itself. Different property land types such as sloping and flat can influence the complexity of your build, with sloping ground increasing the build considerations required.

Ultimately regardless of land type, the goal of your knockdown rebuild will be to maximise the viability of your property; this means emphasising house space through either expansion, multi-level development, subdivision or seamless architectural design.

The housing market has a hefty paper trail with council approval, so you’ll have to start dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s before anyone knocks down a house. These permits can include the following depending on your region:

  • Demolition permit
  • Building permit and building approval
  • Asset protection permit
  • Town planning permit and planning approval
  • Any other permits advised by your local council for a knockdown rebuild
Frame of house

Ultimately, this process will come down to careful consultation and research into local regulations and legalities. Consideration will need to be given to heritage overlays and listing. Houses falling within these categories are houses registered as heritage properties. They will have a lot more red tape to deal with to ensure that any planned changes don’t interfere with the house’s character. Once you have all of the paperwork complete, the land surveyed, quotes lined up, and the financials sorted, it’s a matter of preparing for the demolition.

The demolition itself will require a permit, typically provided by your registered building surveyor. Conditional to the fencing of your property, disconnection of all utilities (gas, electrical, internet, water), treatment of the property for pests, removal of hazardous materials and salvage of reusable materials might need to happen two to three weeks before application. The overall application process can take anywhere from five to 30 days, and the demolition itself can generally take up to two weeks.

Home rebuilding from the ground up

We expand on this whole process, minus the demolition, in our article: The 10 Stages of Building a Home. Simplified however, the steps for a knockdown rebuild come down to:

  1. Planning and Research
    In this step, you will get professional assessments, inquire into permits and local regulations required, begin the appropriate processes, assess hazardous materials such as asbestos, and ensure your finances are in order. You will also need to consult your local real estate agent to determine the ROI of your build.
  2. Design
    This is the fun part! In this step, you’ll consult Forme Homes about the overall design process and determine what it is that you want from your brand new home.
  3. Final Assessment
    This is where you’ll begin to finish off any required applications and get extensive inspections completed for soil testing, contour site surveyance and an overall compliance check to ensure that your build complies with local council regulations.
  4. Demolition
    Once all the permits and applications have been acquired and approved, the process of demolition kicks off. Post mechanical demolition and subsequent cleanup, you’ll be provided with a demolition clearance certificate, indicating that construction can now commence!
  5. Construction
    From the rubble of your old house your new home will be born, with all the bells and whistles to give you a leg up in your local property market.
forme-homes - belvista

A knockdown rebuild offers you all levels of freedom to escape problem-riddled properties with weakened market value, or to build the home of your dreams in the location you love. By knocking down a preexisting build, you could also branch off into a subdivision of land and develop investment properties, maximising your rental capacity, with the added security of a brand new home.

Purchasing your first home can be an exciting process, but nothing quite compares to having a home custom-tailored to your needs and wishes.

IS IT WORTH IT?

Is a knockdown rebuild worth it?

The decision to demolish is never an easy one, and various factors can influence your decision on when to knock down your old house. Still, there are many situations where it’s ultimately more feasible and financially beneficial.

When approaching any property decisions, the first step is proper consideration and research towards the value of your options. When comparing a knockdown rebuild with renovation, you need to consider the extent of renovations and expenses related to your goals.

  • Are the renovations going to cover a large portion of the property?
  • What is the value of your property in the local property market?
  • Do you love the house, or just tolerate it?
Residential home construction, frame wooden house outdoor

Many older homes can be subject to damage and degradation, such as termite damage, structural faults, mould and foundational damage. Renovation costs can also climb due to unexpected complications, issues sourcing materials for house modernisation and complicated renovation processes.

By performing a complete demolishment, you can quickly address these issues and reduce hefty costs dealing with these issues around your house. Most look at a knock-down rebuild to increase the value of their home and property. This can be one of the most cost effective investments you make on your property.

COST COMPARISON

Knockdown rebuild vs. renovations costs

A renovation will typically cost less than a knockdown rebuild. However, the initial cost is not the only factor when reviewing the financial benefits between these two options. What’s most important is infact the total value gained for the cost.

To gauge this, you’ll first want to figure out the numbers you will be working with for the desired renovations through research and professional quotes. By hiring a professional surveyor or builder, you can estimate these costs quickly. It’s advisable to add on 15 to 20% budget to any renovation quote as a buffer for unforeseen challenges prior to the final project sign off.

Renovations can get expensive, with hired contractors potentially encountering many issues, so you need to prepare your budget accordingly. If we look at simple cosmetic renovations for a single room, investments could range (depending on a multitude of factors) between:

  • $25,000 – $65,000 for kitchen renovations
  • $15,000 – $50,000 for bathroom renovations
  • $5,000 – $20,000 for garden deck constructions and installations
  • $5,000 – $35,000 for bedroom renovations
Interior construction of housing Construction building industry new home construction interior drywall tape. Building construction gypsum plaster walls

Knockdown rebuilds can vary even more, depending on the size and scope of the project. For an average piece of land in Melbourne; a basic single-story project house built after a knockdown could set you back as little as $250,000, whilst an architecturally designed custom home built after a knockdown could be as high as $2,421,900.

Like any investment, you’ll need to calculate the return on investment (ROI) offered by renovations, versus a knockdown rebuild. An excellent way to get the figures required is to contact some local real estate agents and find out the ceiling value for local properties, compared to the ceiling value for your property after any work is completed.

Generally, a knockdown rebuild will result in a higher ROI due to the demolition process removing any hidden issues you might find during renovation. A rebuild also provides the freedom to create from scratch, rather than having to carefully maintain specific areas of the original home. The ROI for a knockdown rebuild is also generally higher as newer homes command a higher market value due to modern styling, energy efficiency and a “clean bill of health”. Knockdown rebuilds allow you a clean slate to work from and not just in terms of design. By establishing a new property, you also start from step one on repairs and maintenance, reducing the likelihood of significant issues in the next 15 to 20 years. The only downside of a knock down rebuild is the higher cost entry point versus a renovation.

Renovations are usually picked for smaller-scale jobs, for situations where budget won’t allow for the ideal knockdown rebuild scenario, or where owners have an emotional attachment to the property.

In terms of space maximisation, energy-efficient solutions, and increased property valuation, a knockdown rebuild would usually come out on top.

PROCESS

The process of a knockdown rebuild

Once you’ve committed to a knockdown rebuild and have undergone the demolishing process, a significant constraint on your rebuild can be the land itself. Different property land types such as sloping and flat can influence the complexity of your build, with sloping ground increasing the build considerations required.

Ultimately regardless of land type, the goal of your knockdown rebuild will be to maximise the viability of your property; this means emphasising house space through either expansion, multi-level development, subdivision or seamless architectural design.

The housing market has a hefty paper trail with council approval, so you’ll have to start dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s before anyone knocks down a house. These permits can include the following depending on your region:

  • Demolition permit
  • Building permit and building approval
  • Asset protection permit
  • Town planning permit and planning approval
  • Any other permits advised by your local council for a knockdown rebuild
Frame of house

Ultimately, this process will come down to careful consultation and research into local regulations and legalities. Consideration will need to be given to heritage overlays and listing. Houses falling within these categories are houses registered as heritage properties. They will have a lot more red tape to deal with to ensure that any planned changes don’t interfere with the house’s character. Once you have all of the paperwork complete, the land surveyed, quotes lined up, and the financials sorted, it’s a matter of preparing for the demolition.

The demolition itself will require a permit, typically provided by your registered building surveyor. Conditional to the fencing of your property, disconnection of all utilities (gas, electrical, internet, water), treatment of the property for pests, removal of hazardous materials and salvage of reusable materials might need to happen two to three weeks before application. The overall application process can take anywhere from five to 30 days, and the demolition itself can generally take up to two weeks.

REBUILDING

Home rebuilding from the ground up

We expand on this whole process, minus the demolition, in our article: The 10 Stages of Building a Home. Simplified however, the steps for a knockdown rebuild come down to:

  1. Planning and Research
    In this step, you will get professional assessments, inquire into permits and local regulations required, begin the appropriate processes, assess hazardous materials such as asbestos, and ensure your finances are in order. You will also need to consult your local real estate agent to determine the ROI of your build.
  2. Design
    This is the fun part! In this step, you’ll consult Forme Homes about the overall design process and determine what it is that you want from your brand new home.
  3. Final Assessment
    This is where you’ll begin to finish off any required applications and get extensive inspections completed for soil testing, contour site surveyance and an overall compliance check to ensure that your build complies with local council regulations.
  4. Demolition
    Once all the permits and applications have been acquired and approved, the process of demolition kicks off. Post mechanical demolition and subsequent cleanup, you’ll be provided with a demolition clearance certificate, indicating that construction can now commence!
  5. Construction
    From the rubble of your old house your new home will be born, with all the bells and whistles to give you a leg up in your local property market.
forme-homes - belvista

A knockdown rebuild offers you all levels of freedom to escape problem-riddled properties with weakened market value, or to build the home of your dreams in the location you love. By knocking down a preexisting build, you could also branch off into a subdivision of land and develop investment properties, maximising your rental capacity, with the added security of a brand new home.

Purchasing your first home can be an exciting process, but nothing quite compares to having a home custom-tailored to your needs and wishes.