The Complete Guide to Knocking Down and Rebuilding Your Home
A white house with a standing seam pitched roof is visualized in the middle of the woods.The Complete Guide to Knocking Down and Rebuilding Your Home

So you've decided to take the plunge and knock down your old home to make way for a brand new one. Congratulations! It is a big decision and one that will entail a lot of work. But don't worry, we're here to help. We've consulted with some professionals to provide the most comprehensive guide possible. This guide from Buildi will take you through everything from preliminary planning to actually executing the rebuild.

Preliminary Steps Before Demolition

Any large building project starts with preliminary steps, and knocking down your home is no different. You first need to get in touch with your local council to see if you need planning permission for the demolition. Next, you'll need to engage a licensed builder or demolition contractor to carry out the work. Once you've done that, it's time to begin thinking about the logistics of the demolition process itself.

The Demolition Process

There are a few different ways to demolish your home, but here are the most common methods:

  • Manual demolition: This is the most intensive way to demolish a home. It involves using sledgehammers, crowbars, and other hand tools to break the structure.
  • Partial demolition: As the name suggests, this method involves partially demolishing the home. It leaves some of the shell intact. It is done when the house is being renovated rather than completely rebuilt.
  • Wrecking ball: This is perhaps the most iconic method of demolition. It involves using a large metal ball to demolish the structure.
  • Implosion: This is the most dramatic way to demolish a home. It involves carefully placing explosives throughout the structure and then detonating them. This method is typically only used in extensive demolition projects.
  • Chemical demolition: This method involves using a special chemical to dissolve the structure. It is a new method of demolition and is not widely used.

Whatever method you choose, the demolition process can be messy, noisy, and disruptive. So it's essential to be prepared for this before you begin.

Once the demolition process is complete, you'll be left with a big empty block of land. So the next step is to start thinking about the rebuild. But before you do that, ensure you remove all the debris from the site and give the area a good clean. Having the block of land surveyed is also a good idea so you know exactly where your boundaries are.

Time To Rebuild

Now that you've demolished your old home, it's time to start thinking about the rebuild. It is where the real work begins.

The first step is to engage a registered builder or architect to help you design your new home. They will be able to help you navigate the planning process. They will also ensure that your new home meets all the necessary regulations.

Once you've settled on a design, it's time to start construction. It is where things can start to get expensive, so having a good budget is important. The construction process can also be quite disruptive, so make sure you plan and inform your neighbours of what will happen.

Once the construction is complete, it's time to move into your new home. Start enjoying all the fruits of your labour.

The Cost of Knocking Down and Rebuilding

A few other factors will affect the cost of knocking down and rebuilding your home. The most crucial factor is the size of your home. The bigger the house, the more it will cost to demolish and rebuild. Other important factors include the materials you use. Also, the type of foundation you have and the labour costs associated with the project.

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay $1393.55 per sqm to knock down and rebuild the home. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, and you may be able to find a contractor who is willing to do the job for less.

If you're considering demolishing and rebuilding your home, get a few quotes from different contractors before deciding. It will help you get an idea of how much the project will cost and whether or not it is feasible for you.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there's a lot to think about before demolishing and rebuilding your home. But if you're prepared for the process, it can be a great way to update your home and add value to your property. If you consider rebuilding, be sure to take advantage of the services of a registered builder to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.