The Real Costs (and Real Benefits) of a Knockdown Rebuild
When weighing up whether to renovate or rebuild, you might assume that a knockdown rebuild is the more expensive path. It can be, depending on your site and what you’re building. But in many cases, it’s actually the smarter financial decision, not just in the short term, but in the long run too.
The key is understanding where the real costs lie, what people often overlook, and where the value kicks in.
What Are the Real Costs of a Knockdown Rebuild?
There’s no fixed number, because every site and every brief is different. Things like site access, steepness, soil conditions, and how much civil or excavation work is needed can all impact the budget.
But as a starting point, for a premium architectural build, we typically work off a figure of $10,000 to $12,000 per square metre, including the garage and the associated design and planning costs for the project. That might increase if you’re adding:
A pool or a lift
High-end finishes or imported materials
Concrete construction instead of lightweight
Custom joinery or complex design features
You could also find yourself spending significantly more if you have particular inclusions in mind. For example, some people may want to spend $80,000 on a kitchen, others may spend that much on appliances alone. So, the range is wide, but it really comes down to what you value and how you want to live in the home.
What Costs Often Get Missed?
Some of the biggest budget surprises come from items that are essential, but easy to overlook in early planning. These include:
Demolition, including asbestos removal if needed
Planning and approvals, which can be lengthy and costly
Stormwater management, pits, tanks, and on-site detention
Retaining walls and underpinning, especially on steep sites
Deep excavation or poor soil remediation
New utility connections, water, sewer, electrical, gas
While many of these items might also apply to a renovation, the benefit of a new build is that they can be scoped and priced more predictably.
Why a Knockdown Rebuild Can Be More Cost-Effective
There’s a point in a big renovation where you’re effectively rebuilding anyway, you’re pulling out half the house, propping up old walls, and trying to splice old and new structures together. In those cases, rebuilding is often cleaner, faster, and less risky.
With a knockdown rebuild, you’re getting:
Better site access, which lowers construction time and labour costs
Simpler design coordination, without having to "make do" with old structures
Reduced risk of hidden damage, rot, or structural issues in existing materials
A blank slate, which makes project planning and costing more reliable
You also avoid paying to protect or prop up a structure that doesn’t hold much remaining value. That money is often better spent building something fit-for-purpose.
Long-Term Value: Why a New Build Often Wins
There’s also the future to consider. A new build allows for:
Better thermal performance and energy efficiency
Improved layout and orientation for natural light and airflow
Integrated smart systems and sustainable materials
Higher resale value, thanks to modern design and compliance
Lower ongoing maintenance costs
So even if the initial cost is similar to (or slightly higher than) a renovation, you may come out ahead over the life of the home.
How to Reduce Risk and Stay in Control
Here are three ways to take the guesswork out of the process and protect your budget:
1. Involve a builder early
Builders can spot construction and site challenges that architects may not prioritise. Things like stormwater, excavation, or construction methodology. Their input early on helps shape a more accurate plan.
2. Don’t rely on tenders alone
Using the tender process to "find out" what your build will cost is risky. Instead, create your own baseline estimate or work with a builder or cost planner to understand what’s realistic before you go out to market.
3. Be fully documented before you start
The more decisions you make before building starts, the better. Lock in your bathroom layouts, tile selections, fittings, and joinery early — it helps avoid variations, speeds up the build, and reduces stress.
Is a Knockdown Rebuild Worth It?
In many cases, yes. If you’re already planning to make major structural changes, or if your existing home doesn’t suit your long-term needs, a rebuild might not only be more cost-effective, but a far better use of your investment.
You’ll get a home that performs better, functions better, and is tailored to how you want to live without having to compromise on patching together old and new.
Ready to Find Out What Your Rebuild Could Cost? Book a consultation with our team today, and we’ll walk you through the numbers, the process, and the possibilities so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
