Got the urge to refresh the look and feel of your home without the hassle of moving?
Need some extra space for a growing household, or are you simply looking to add extra value to your home?
How about all of the above?
No matter the scenario, the question of whether to rebuild or renovate has more than likely crossed your mind. Here, we share eight reasons to consider a knockdown rebuild vs a renovation. Read on!
First things first: is it cheaper to renovate or knock down and rebuild?
The first questions that most homeowners ask regarding knock down rebuild projects are: “Is it cheaper to renovate or build? Is a knock down rebuild worth it?”
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to pricing — there are various considerations that can impact the pricing involved with a knock down rebuild vs a renovation, like:
- Home condition: If your existing home is in poor condition, requires significant structural repairs or has outdated systems, a knockdown rebuild can often be a more cost-effective long-term solution.
- Scope of the project: If you want a completely new layout, modern amenities, or an energy-efficient home, a knock down rebuild allows you to start from scratch and design your dream home. Alternatively, small, cosmetic changes like painting, new fixtures, or minor kitchen and bathroom updates tend to be less expensive than extensive structural changes or additions.
- Local Regulations: Sometimes, renovations may be limited by local restrictions, and a knock down rebuild could be the only viable option.
While there’s no one answer to the question of the cheaper option, on average, a major renovation can cost more than double per square metre and can often turn into a much bigger job than expected.
Let’s look more into this in our eight-point comparison of whether to renovate or knock down and rebuild in Australia.
#1. You'll have complete control over the budget with a knock down rebuild
The biggest risk of renovating an existing house is a potential cost or budget blow-out. As you work through the renovation, it’s common to find additional issues or work that needs to be done - meaning the budget will ultimately need to get bigger and bigger.
On average, a major renovation can cost more than double per square metre and can often turn into a much bigger job than expected.
So, is it cheaper to knock down and rebuild or renovate? Renovations may seem less expensive on paper, but your budget is much more likely to balloon compared to a rebuild. Renovations can be unpredictable. A knockdown rebuild, on the other hand, is not.
If you decide to knock down and rebuild your home, our team will complete a free site inspection on your current home and work with you - and your block - to design the best home for your lifestyle and needs. The complimentary site inspection will assess the following:
- The most suitable design options for your block
- The fall or slope across your block
- Location of trees
- Neighbouring properties
- Site accessibility
- any additional preparation that may be required
Once these elements have been reviewed and your home design has been chosen, we will provide a final and complete cost up front so that you can weigh up the actual costs of a renovation vs a rebuild.
#2. A knock down rebuild will deliver the dream home you've always wanted without having to move
With a knockdown rebuild project, you will have the opportunity to modernise and refresh your home design completely — not just a few smaller elements inside the home or in the outdoor entertainment area.
We have more than 200+ architectural home designs to choose from, including single-storey home designs, double-storey home designs, and more. You can choose a fresh, contemporary facade to improve the street view or even expand the size of your home to allow more space and breathability for a growing family.
When considering whether to renovate or rebuild an old house, there are far more design opportunities and features to explore with a knockdown rebuild project. Building a brand new home with better insulation is a major deciding factor when weighing up whether to renovate or rebuild.
#3. A knock down rebuild allows you to create a more functional, stylish home
If you have an older home on a sloping block, it probably wasn’t built to complement the land. Maybe the back or front yard is too steep, the driveway is hard to climb, or you experience flooding when the rain turns from a sprinkle into a storm.
If you’re choosing whether to renovate or rebuild your home, a knockdown rebuild is a perfect excuse to fix all these problems and create a more functional, eye-catching home. Plus, it’s easier to achieve than a major renovation project!
At Montgomery Homes, we’ve built a reputation as the housing market’s sloping site specialists. We follow the natural gradient of the land and minimise excavation where possible, allowing us to create unique, beautiful homes with more manageable driveways, abundant light, natural drainage and exceptional ventilation.
The inside of your home will look more sophisticated and spacious. With additional staircases and multiple levels, your new home will have fascinating dimensions that it never had before.
#4. You'll receive a bigger and better home for your growing family with a knock down rebuild
Feeling a little cramped at home? You’ll need more space as your family grows, and a few options are available: a major renovation, moving house, or a complete knockdown rebuild and refresh!
Whether you’re welcoming a little one, creating space for a teen or uni student, or needing some extra space for grandma and grandpa to move in, we recommend a knockdown rebuild to keep the family together and, most of all, comfortable.
A complete knockdown rebuild will expand the living area and ensure everyone has private space. With Montgomery Homes, you even have the opportunity to add a granny flat to your property, where uni students, teens and older relatives can live outside the main house — while still being close enough to spend time with the family.
#5. A knock down rebuild allows you to install fresh amenities and appliances (without having to shop around)
Over time, even the little things at home can start to feel lacklustre. Perhaps the kitchen design is outdated, or the appliances are becoming obsolete or breaking down altogether!
Renovating a kitchen or bathroom can be a huge, expensive hassle, and there are many things to consider — the cabinetry, the tiling and flooring, the appliances, the painting and colour scheme, and so on. Shopping around for all these elements can be stressful and blow out the renovation budget!
A knockdown rebuild with Montgomery Homes eliminates the guesswork and the stress. Alongside visiting Gallery One at Montgomery Homes you’ll be invited to visit our own suppliers, including THYNK, Your Home Consulting and Kitchen Culture, to choose some of the finer details of your dream home — tiles, carpet, flooring, window coverings, kitchen appliances and so much more!
With our expert suppliers and interior designers, we can curate a home that functions well and looks divine.
#6. You'll have a clear timeline when rebuilding with an experienced home builder
You've probably heard from friends or family members who have blown their renovation budget. Renovations can be unpredictable — and not just because of unexpected costs.
When new issues appear, the timeline of the renovation project can be blown out to months or even years. There’s no knowing when the project will be well and truly finished.
However, the knockdown rebuild process is clear from the word “go”. Our team is committed to completing your build in a dedicated time frame so you can move into your new home as soon as possible.
We will provide a dedicated knock-down rebuild timeline for you, meet your expectations, and provide frequent updates on the progress of your new home via your personalised Client Portal.
You’ll never be left in the dark — we’ll be with you every step of the way.
#7. No real estate and stamp duty fees with a knock down rebuild
As mentioned earlier, there can be a many unexpected costs when renovating your home. But if you decide to knock down and rebuild your home, you’re guaranteed to avoid real estate and stamp duty fees.
There is a lot involved in preparing the site for a new home build, including demolition and excavating — and these can differ from level sites to sloping sites. But given you already own your block of land, you won’t have to worry about keeping funds set aside for real estate and stamp duty fees. This means you can spend more time choosing the finishing touches for your new home!
#8. You can improve your home's energy efficiency with a knock down rebuild
Australians care more about preserving the environment than ever before. Around 60% of potential homeowners say energy efficiency would be a major factor when purchasing a new home, and yet, only 26% of Australians can say their home is energy efficient!
When choosing between knock down rebuilds vs a renovation, it’s important to consider which will give you the best end result. While solar panels are more affordable than ever and supported by the NSW Government’s Solar Rebate, making other changes to your home in the name of energy efficiency can be far more expensive and complex. For example, swapping out standard window panes for double or triple glazing or updating the insulation to reduce internal cooling and heating requirements.
A knockdown rebuild project can make the process much simpler and more affordable. Our homes come with a wide range of environmentally-friendly benefits, including sarking — a second skin that sits under the roof that provides thermal insulation and protection against dust, condensation and even embers in bushfire-prone areas.
We also install R2.0 insulation to external walls and internal garage doors and R3.5 insulation under the trusses. Meanwhile, all doors and windows are properly sealed to keep a comfortable temperature indoors, no matter the season.
Learn more about our environmentally friendly home designs and how we can help reduce your carbon footprint (while keeping power costs low).
Talk to our home rebuilders in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, or on the Central Coast about a knock down rebuild today!
We’re committed to making the home-building process simple. When you choose to knockdown rebuild with Montgomery Homes, our team of professionals will walk you through the project from start to finish, from choosing a modern home design to construction and handing over the keys!
Get in touch today — we’ll help you find the perfect home design to suit your existing block and provide an accurate, reliable quote to knock down your house and rebuild a home.
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