Knockdown rebuild

A knockdown rebuild (KDR) is when you demolish your existing house and build a brand-new home on the same block of land. It’s a practical option if you love where you live, but your current home no longer suits your family’s needs or lifestyle. 

Learn more in our free Knockdown Rebuild guide.

With a knockdown rebuild, you can create a new home that better suits the way you live while staying right where you are. 

It lets you rethink the floorplan, facade, finishes and everyday details without an older structure or layout limiting you. You can add better energy efficiency and modern features or opt for a layout that offers you more flexible living spaces for your family to enjoy. 

For many homeowners, a fresh start can also add more cost certainty compared to a major renovation, where older homes can sometimes throw up unexpected issues once work gets underway.

Get off on the right foot with our article: How to Nail Your Knockdown Rebuild.

It depends on the age, condition and layout of your existing home, as well as how much you want to change. A renovation may be the more cost-effective option for smaller updates, while a knockdown rebuild can make more sense when the home needs major structural work or the existing layout no longer suits the way you live.

Renovate

Cost considerations
Renovations can look more affordable at the start, but costs can change if:

• older wiring
• plumbing
• drainage problems
• asbestos 
• or structural issues are uncovered. during the work. You may also have to make compromises around the existing layout.

When it makes sense
Your home is structurally sound.
You just want to update certain areas, such as the kitchen, bathroom, flooring or finishes.
It’s also ideal for character homes you want to preserve.

Long-term value
A well-planned renovation can add to the comfort and appeal of a house if it has good bones. 
The final result may still be limited by the original structure, age and energy performance of the home.

Knockdown rebuild

Cost considerations
The cost of a knockdown rebuild includes:

• demolition
• approvals
• site prep
• temporary accommodation
• and the new build.

It may be pricier up front, but it can provide more clarity on the cost than a major renovation.

When it makes sense
Your existing home needs:

• major work
• the layout is difficult to improve 
• or you want a new home designed for your current and future needs. 

It also suits when you want to stay in the area.

Long-term value
A new home can have: 

• strong resale appeal
• modern layouts
• current inclusions
• better energy efficiency 
• and require less immediate maintenance.

This can make a knockdown rebuild a practical option for the long term where the existing home would require extensive work.

The fairest way to compare the two is to look beyond the first price tag. Consider the condition of your current home, the scope of renovation needed, the risk of hidden issues and whether the finished result will genuinely support how you want to live in the years ahead.

For more details, read our article: Knock Down Rebuild – Signs You Should KDR Rather Than Renovate.

The best first step is a site appraisal with Eden Brae. This helps us work out if your block is suitable for one of our knockdown rebuild home designs and what needs to be considered before moving forward.

Suitability is determined by a range of factors, including zoning, block size, setbacks, slope, easements, position of driveway, services, access, trees and council requirements. Bushfire, flood, mine subsidence and heritage or conservation controls may also influence what you can build.

We’ll look into these site details and then help you understand which Eden Brae home designs will work for your block.

Eden Brae offers different home collections for knockdown rebuild buyers, with each collection designed around certain inclusions, home sizes, design flexibility and price points.

Our Advantage Series offers functional floor plans and smart styling. It’s ideal for buyers who want a considered home without overcomplicating the design. 

The Lifestyle Luxury Collection gives you more space, flexibility and everyday comfort with premium upgrades. 

The Prestige Luxury Collection features sophisticated large home designs with statement finishes and a higher level of inclusions.

EBXpress suits buyers looking for a faster, more streamlined pathway and savings without compromising on quality.

If you’re open to selling your home and buying a new one instead or simply want a quicker move-in option, our Connect Homes range showcases near-complete or completed Eden Brae homes, rather than knocking down and rebuilding on your block.

Before you start looking at individual designs, your Eden Brae consultant will help you to compare the collections.

Eden Brae’s team will organise a free site appraisal. This will give you important information about the block of land you are looking to develop before we proceed to the next step of preparing a Fixed Priced Tender. 

This certificate is required by councils for ALL Knock Down Rebuild projects. It discloses, among other things, information about a property such as:

• Ability to assess under the NSW Housing Code
• Bushfire, flood, heritage or any other affectation
• The permissible zoning

Increasingly, councils require a hydraulic engineer design for treating stormwater. This will require a hydraulic design for any of the following:

• On Site Detention system (OSD)
• On Site Absorption system (OSA)
• Charged system

In addition, land that drains below the road towards the rear may require an easement refusal letter from downstream neighbours, prior to council granting approval for an appropriate stormwater design.

A town planner will assist in the management of a council development control plan and advise on your specific site. An additional management fee may apply to KDR jobs. Approval timeframes vary from those in new estates.

To maintain quality control, Eden Brae builds in strictly limited locations. We currently:

• Do not build in certain council areas OR
• Apply an area surcharge to build in selected council areas

To view our build areas, check our Where We Build page

For safety and insurance reasons, we limit access to your building site during construction. Since your new home is an active worksite with trades and equipment, visits need to be carefully approved and managed.

Your Site Supervisor will be your main point of contact throughout construction. If a site visit is required at an approved stage, your Eden Brae team will explain what’s possible and how it will be arranged.

You can also stay connected through the myedenbrae customer portal. The portal keeps you updated on progress, milestone alerts, photos, documents, appointment details and key contacts to help you keep track of your build without having to visit the site in person.