Your knockdown rebuild checklist

Undertaking a knockdown rebuild project where you demolish your old house and build a brand new home, is a big undertaking. There are a number of key things you need to deal with to ensure your building project runs smoothly and results in your dream home.

There are plenty of benefits to staying in the same location that you know and love, while upgrading your home. It means you and your family can continue to enjoy your neighbourhood, stay at the same schools, frequent the same local shops and services, and keep close to friends.

One of the best parts of a knockdown rebuild project rather than a renovation is that you are given a blank canvas. You and your family can decide how many rooms you need, how they should be laid out, what you’d like the exterior to look like, what fixtures and fittings you’d like, and much more. To help guide you through the knockdown rebuild process here is our basic checklist to get you started.

Get to know your block

There is a lot more to your block of land than meets the eye. Every block of land is governed by planning regulations, easements, setback requirements, and drainage essentials.

Some home owners will undertake this research themselves, but if you sign with a builder like Homes by ZAC we’ll guide you through this process.

Planning regulations

The starting point for any suburban building project in Australia is to establish what you are permitted to build on your block of land. You need to check that your current house can be demolished and replaced, as some dwellings have heritage listings or overlays which prevent you from demolishing.

You also need to know the zoning of your area to ensure you can build a new home that will suit your requirements, particularly if you’re thinking about a duplex home on a block that currently has a single dwelling. You can make an appointment to speak with one of our Building & Design Consultants, or alternatively visit us in one of our Display Homes.

Setbacks and easements

When you undertake your research, you’ll also find that there are restrictions about how close you can build to the boundary, how much of the land can be utilised for buildings, and what setback you are required to meet.

In most established areas, your local council will require the setback of the principal frontage of your home to be the average of both of your neighbours’ houses. There may also be minimum side and rear setbacks to be met. However, there are exceptions and if you wish to go further forward or back on the block, you’ll need to obtain approval. The existence of easements on your land may also impact where on the block you can build. The legal definition of an easement is “the right to cross or otherwise use a portion of someone else’s land.” Effectively it means you cannot build over that portion or easement of land, commonly because it contains essential services like water or electricity facilities.

Choosing your design

Only once you fully understand your block and whether you can demolish your existing home can you start on the fun stage of choosing a design.

At this stage, you may start speaking to builders, visit display homes, and undertake research. Volume builders offer an affordable option, but can have limitation on how much you can customise the home. At Homes by ZAC, we offer full customisation – whether it’s bespoke custom from end-to-end, or tailoring of an existing plan.

When considering design, you and your family need to decide on your requirements – such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size and number of living areas you require, and more. Think about how you use your current home – do you work from home? Do you like to entertain? You should also consider things like how long you plan to live there and how much it needs to evolve.

Arrange the demolition

If you decide to build with Homes by ZAC, we’ll help you arrange the demolition of your old home and incorporate that into the contract.

Other builders might prefer you to organise your own demolition but can recommend demolition experts.

Either way, there are a few important things to remember including a demolition permit from your council. You’ll also need temporary accommodation for you and your family to live in until your new home is complete.

Power supply & utilities

An essential step is to arrange to have your utilities removed before your house is demolished. This needs to be arranged well in advance. The water, electricity, Internet and gas supply will need to be removed from the property, including all pipes and meters. This allows builders to start from a blank slate, without having to worry about old systems interfering with construction work.

Site access

For both demolition and construction, you will need to understand how accessible your block is. The access to your block from the street needs to be considered as well as the size of roads, schools in the area, overhead power lines and the requirement for traffic management.

Knockdown Rebuild with Homes by ZAC

At Homes by ZAC, we have 30+ years of experience advising hundreds of customers on knockdown rebuild options.

We enjoy taking on a challenge and helping families build their new home in their current neighbourhood.

Homes by ZAC builds with craftsmanship, respect, integrity and pride, which we work hard to deliver to every customer. Call us on 1300 350 793 or send us an online enquiry and our team will work with you to design and build your dream home.