The Ultimate Knock Down Rebuild Checklist

A knockdown and rebuild project is a great way to create and achieve the home you’ve always wanted without needing to leave the location you’ve grown to know and love over the years. It is also becoming an increasingly popular way for homebuyers to get into the suburb they’ve always wanted to live in, without having to buy someone else’s dream. However, this process is a little more complex than building a new home within a land estate or development, and requires careful planning and consideration. 

To help you navigate through this process to determine whether or not it’s right for you, we’ve put together the ultimate knockdown and rebuild checklist, with everything from undertaking your initial research to adding in the finishing touches to your new home.

Assessing your block and the existing property

Before deciding whether a knock down and rebuild is right for you and your family, it’s really important to evaluate the block and existing property to ensure the project is feasible. We have summarised the important stages of any knock down project below. 

For those looking for all the details on this process (and not just the summary), our 60+ page KDR Information Pack can be found on our website.

Site Evaluation

• Check Block Conditions: Is your block relatively flat with easy access? Are there any significant easements, setbacks, or planning overlays that could complicate the build? Learn more about this in Episode 3 of our Home Files podcast.
• Soil Quality and Site Characteristics: It is important that a soil test is undertaken to understand the type of foundation required for your new build. Soil suitability is tested via  soil test and survey - which forms part of your initial deposit and cost estimate with Carlisle, with a secondary test undertaken once demolition has taken place. The foundations of your home impact your construction costs and the stability of your new home.
• Planning Restrictions: Every local council in Melbourne has a set of planning restrictions, guidelines and regulations. Before commencing a knock down rebuild project, it’s important you understand things like setback requirements, heritage or zoning overlays, height restrictions and significant easements
• Street Access: How easy construction vehicles and equipment can be brought into your property can also impact costs. Consider things like overhead powerlines and proximity to high-traffic areas, which may require traffic management to be included as part of your contract.

Budgeting and Finances 

Establishing a clear budget and understanding your financing options are essential steps in a knockdown rebuild project:

• Budget: Determining what your total budget is for a knockdown rebuild project is imperative. This includes costs for demolition, construction. Landscaping and any additional expenses such as permits and rental accommodation during the build.
• Unexpected costs: For any build or major project, it’s wise to include a budget contingency in case something doesn’t go to plan during construction. When working with a builder like Carlisle Homes, this is not something you need to be worried about as all costs are made known and included upfront as part of your build contract.

• Home loans: There are so many different options for financing a construction project such as a construction home loan, bridging loan or other financial products. Construction projects also work a little differently to a buying established in that you need to make progress payments throughout the process. Rather than paying for the entire construction upfront, progress payments allow you to pay for the project in phases as work is completed - which means you’re only paying interest on those amounts paid. The amounts at each stage vary.
  
  

Carlisle Homes offers an in-house finance team who offer specialist advice on finance for new home builds. They can help you work through your budget, assess the equity in your existing property and any other financial considerations to save you time, money and stress. Contact them for an obligation-free chat whenever you are ready.

Demolition

Demolition is an extra step in a knock down rebuild project that isn’t something you have to consider if building on vacant land. It involves more than just pulling down the existing home, but careful planning and coordination too including:

• Obtaining necessary permits: It is imperative that all necessary demolition permits are obtained from your local council. When you build with Carlisle, we will recommend demolition contractors who usually assist with this process.
• Disconnecting services: Utilities such as water, electricity, gas and any telecommunications need to be disconnected before any demolition begins.
• Removal of asbestos and other materials: When you are demolishing an existing home it will be inspected for dangerous materials such as asbestos. If your home contains asbestos, specialised removal services will be required to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. 

• Site preparation: After demolition, the site needs to be cleared of debris and rubbish and levelled, ensuring it is ready for the build stage to commence. 

Discover the demolition and knockdown rebuild process in detail.

Where you’re going to live during construction

Something a lot of customers forget to consider with a knockdown rebuild project is where you’re going to live while construction is taking place. You’ll need to consider your options, and factor in the costs, for temporary accommodation during this time. Whether it’s renting, staying with friends, or using a short-term rental service it’s best to chat with your builder to understand the estimated construction timeline. You may also need to consider temporary storage solutions if your temporary accommodation doesn’t have the space you need for all of your belongings!

Choosing a builder you can trust

Choosing the right builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to building a new home from the ground up. Look for the following attributes when shortlisting your favourites:

Transparency and upfront information: Choose a builder who offers clear, upfront pricing, transparent communication and a proven track record. Carlisle Homes has a dedicated team that specialises in knock down and rebuilds, offering industry-leading guarantees and a wealth of experience to guide you through the process as efficiently (and with as little stress!) as possible. We also provide all the information you’ll need to make a sound investment decision upfront on our website, including our base house pricing, inclusions, our latest promotions, site start date, completion timeframe and a 25-year structural guarantee. This ensures there are no hidden surprises. You can also walk through one of our many display homes before you buy to check out construction quality, colour schemes and level of finish.

• Reviews: It’s a good idea to look for builders that have a proven reputation in the knockdown and rebuild market. Read reviews and testimonials from past clients. At Carlisle Homes, we pride ourselves on our 4.7-star-rating on Productreview.com.au from over 8,500 reviews. To help you with your decision-making journey, you can also explore our real customer stories, where you can hear first-hand from our customers.

Designing your dream home

The design of your new home is the heart of the knockdown and rebuild process. Looking at potential floorplan designs allows you to assess what is and isn’t working in your current home layout. Here are some things to consider:

• Assess Your Lifestyle Needs: Consider how your family lives and how your needs might change over time. Do you need multiple living spaces, a home office, or extra bedrooms for a growing family? It’s wise to try and include rooms that can change or adapt as your family grows, such as a rumpus room that can evolve into a teenage retreat, or a home office that can double as a guest room. 

Check out our range of Affinity or Inspire floorplans to help you shortlist your requirements.

• Floorplan Selection: Evaluate different floorplans to find one that optimises the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Consider features like open-plan living areas, voids for natural light, and kitchen design. We have a number of home designs with atriums and voids specifically introduced for the knockdown and rebuild market.
   

• Facade Selection: Choose a facade that suits your style and complements the existing streetscape. From modern to Hamptons, French Provincial to coastal, there’s a wide range of options available when you build with Carlisle.

• Incorporate Sustainable Features: Prioritise energy efficiency by selecting designs that maximise natural light, reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems, and incorporate sustainable materials like Hebel for better insulation and acoustic qualities.

Navigating the building process 

Understanding the construction process and knowing what to expect at each stage will help you feel confident and in control of the journey towards your brand new home. The main phases to be aware of include:

• Pre-start: This is where you work with a Carlisle Homes New Home Consultant and Client Liaison Executive to finalise your chosen home design, pay your deposit, obtain all necessary permits and approvals from your local council and commence demolition. 

• Home selections: Before you finalise your contract, you will have the opportunity to personalise your home at our Spectra Showroom. With access to over 3,500 products from Australia’s leading product manufacturers and brands, the sky’s the limit! Work with your dedicated Interior Designer to incorporate beautiful statement pieces into your home, add smart home technology for security, lighting and climate control, and choose bold colours - this is the culmination of all your hard work coming together.  

• Construction: There are five main stages of construction which includes base/slab; frame; lock-up; fixing and completion. Progress payments will need to be made at each stage of the build. 

• Handover and landscaping: Don’t leave your landscaping until the end, get your designs completed early so that your landscapers can possibly align with the completion of your home. 

For a detailed step-by-step overview of the entire process, including progress payment percentages, please download our 60+ page KDR Information Pack.

The better way to rebuild

A knockdown rebuild project is an exciting opportunity to create the home of your dreams in a location you love. This ultimate checklist is a great starting point to understand the process. For more detail please visit our Knockdown Rebuild page and download our KDR Information Pack.

Listen to our Knockdown Rebuild podcast

Listen at your convenience to Season 1 of our Home Files podcast, entirely dedicated to knock down and rebuild projects. This easy listen podcast which features a host of industry experts is guaranteed to help you understand the process in greater detail.

Contact us today

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 our Inspire or Affinity Collection. 

Read about the entire KDR process here