Knockdown Rebuild Melbourne
If you love where you live but your current home no longer suits your family, a knockdown
rebuild can give you a brand new home in the same prized location. At Ellari Homes, we specialise in guiding clients through every stage of a knock down rebuild, from the first site inspection through to handover of a finished home that feels welcoming from the moment you step inside.
We build homes by our family, for your family. We know that replacing an old house or tired established home is a big decision. Our approach is grounded in family values and in the way we work every day: honesty, integrity, transparency and accuracy. Our knockdown rebuild specialists work with Australian families who want more space, better layouts, improved energy efficiency and modern finishes, without losing the land value and community they already enjoy.
Instead of juggling costly renovations that never quite resolve the issues, a carefully planned knockdown rebuild can deliver a fresh start, a more energy efficient home and a smoother build journey.
Why choose a knockdown rebuild instead of costly renovations
For many clients, the choice is between living through disruptive, costly renovations or investing in a complete knock down and rebuild. Renovations can uncover hidden costs as soon as walls are opened or foundations are exposed. Older properties may need extensive updates to wiring, plumbing, insulation and structure just to meet current council regulations.
In contrast, a knockdown rebuild allows you to start with a clean slate and plan the entire project to suit your lifestyle perfectly, with clear pricing and defined stages.
When you rebuild in Melbourne, you keep the build location, local schools, transport and community you already know, while upgrading your home to current standards. You can work with our expert team to select from pre designed homes and home designs tailored to your block. These include options that:
- Maximise space
- Bring in more natural light
- Improve energy efficiency from the ground up
Because you are building new, you usually avoid paying stamp duty on a separate land purchase. That can reduce stamp duty costs compared with selling and buying an established home in a similar area.
Another advantage of a knock down rebuild is that your home can be planned for how your family lives now and in the future. Rather than trying to squeeze modern living into the footprint of an existing home, you can introduce key features that make a real difference. Many clients take the opportunity to add a butler’s pantry or walk-in pantry, a second living area or retreat, a home office or a guest suite on the ground floor. All of this can be done within a sensible square metre footprint that suits their site and budget.
Ready to Rebuild Your Dream Home?
Talk to Ellari Homes about how a knock down rebuild could transform your existing home into a contemporary, energy efficient home that suits your lifestyle perfectly.
Is your old house or established home holding your family back
An old house can be full of memories, but it can also limit your lifestyle. Small rooms, awkward layouts, low ceilings and poor orientation can make everyday living feel cramped and dark. Heating and cooling an established home that was not designed with energy efficiency in mind can also push power bills higher than they need to be.
For many Australian families, a knockdown rebuild becomes the most practical way to stay in a prized location while moving into a home that feels modern, comfortable and future ready.
If your existing property has structural issues, ongoing maintenance problems or previous renovations that no longer make sense, it may be time to consider a full rebuild project. Our experienced team will listen carefully to your concerns, then outline whether a knock down and rebuild is likely to be the better long term option than trying to patch and repair.
We will always be honest about site costs, construction costs and what is realistically achievable on your existing block. This helps you make an informed decision without pressure.
If you are ready to explore a knockdown rebuild Melbourne project, our team is here to help. From the first free site assessment and site inspection of your existing home through to contract signing and handover, we support you at every step.
You will work with a dedicated team that treats your rebuild project with the same care and respect as we would for our own families.
Enquire today to book a consultation, discuss your site address and build location, and begin planning a rebuild in Melbourne that keeps you close to the people, places and community you already love, while enjoying a home that feels brand new from the day you move in.
The Build Journey
Step 1: Free site assessment, site inspection and soil test
Every successful knock down rebuild begins with a careful site assessment. We organise a free site assessment that includes a detailed site inspection of your existing property, a review of local regulations and an initial talk about your priorities.
At this stage, we look at:
- Site slope and access
- Nearby homes and overlooking issues
- Trees and potential shading
- Service connections
- Local councils requirements
- How the sun moves across your block to capture natural light
A professional soil test is arranged early. It is critical for accurate site costs and structural design. Understanding the soil type and bearing capacity means we can estimate foundations correctly, which helps avoid unexpected costs during construction.
The data from the soil test also informs engineering, slab design and any retaining walls. This means you can be confident that the home will perform as intended over time.
Step 2: Home designs, pre designed homes and pre designed floorplans
Once we understand your site, we help you explore suitable home designs. You can choose from a range of pre designed homes and pre designed floorplans created specifically to rebuild in Melbourne suburbs. We can also tailor a design to suit your existing block and your family.
Our knockdown rebuild specialists will discuss:
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms you need
- Whether you prefer open plan living
- How you entertain and use outdoor spaces
- Where you would like key features such as a butler’s pantry, walk in pantry, study or upstairs retreat
During this stage of the knockdown rebuild journey, we talk through orientation, window placement for natural light, storage solutions and ways to maximise space on your block without overbuilding.
Because we work with Australian families every day, we understand how important it is to create separate zones for parents, children and guests, while still keeping the home feeling connected.
By planning carefully at the design stage, we help to reduce hidden costs and ensure the layout suits your lifestyle perfectly for years to come. These home designs balance function, comfort and aesthetics for modern family living.
Step 3: Site preparation, local regulations and council approvals
Before any demolition or construction can begin, we manage the essential paperwork and site preparation. This includes:
- Working through council approvals with local councils
- Checking council regulations
- Securing any required planning permits based on your design and build location
We also coordinate a building permit through the appointed building surveyor to ensure the proposed home complies with relevant codes and energy efficiency requirements.
During this phase, we confirm service connections, finalise site preparation details and provide clear information about any demolition costs or site costs that may apply. These might include temporary fencing, crossovers or tree protection zones.
Our expert team makes sure you understand each approval step, so you do not feel overwhelmed by council permits or documentation.
Step 4: Demolition permit, demolition contractor and demolition company
When approvals are in place, it is time to arrange demolition. You may choose to work with your own demolition contractor or demolition company, or we can recommend trusted providers who understand knock down and rebuild work.
A demolition permit is required in most municipalities. We guide you through what your local councils expect in terms of safety, asset protection and waste management.
Once the old house has been safely removed and the site is cleared, we carry out a follow up site inspection. This confirms levels, boundaries and access before construction begins. Our knockdown rebuild experts review the site to ensure the foundations can be set out accurately and the home can be built to the agreed plans without delay.
Step 5: Building contract, fixed pricing and contract signing
With design, approvals and demolition arranged, we move to the building contract stage. At Ellari Homes, we believe that clarity is vital.
Your building contract will set out:
- Inclusions and exclusions
- Construction costs and site costs allowances
- Estimated timeframes
- Any provisional sums or selections to be finalised
Wherever possible, we provide fixed pricing on agreed items. This helps you budget with confidence and lowers the risk of unexpected costs later.
Before contract signing, we encourage clients to ask questions about specifications, energy efficiency requirements, finishes and allowances. Our dedicated team will walk you through each section of the contract, so you are comfortable with the entire project scope before anything is signed.
Once contract signing is complete and the relevant deposit has been paid, we can finalise orders, schedule trades and lock in a start date.
Step 6: Construction, superior craftsmanship and key features
Construction is where your rebuild project comes to life. Our trades and supervisors focus on superior craftsmanship at every stage, from slab and frame through to fixtures and fittings. Regular site inspections and communication are part of our standard building process, so you can see progress and ask questions as your brand new home takes shape.
During construction, we make sure that all the key features you selected during design are implemented correctly. This includes details like a generous walk in pantry, a butler’s pantry, a widened staircase or additional storage.
We also maintain a strong focus on energy efficiency. We look at insulation, glazing, orientation and shading to help you enjoy a comfortable, energy efficient home that feels good to live in all year round.
Step 7: Handover, support and moving into your brand new home
As construction nears completion, we carry out a detailed quality check and a final site inspection with you. Any items that need attention are recorded and resolved before handover.
When you receive the keys, you are moving into a brand new home finished to the standard we would expect for our own families.
Our relationship does not end at handover. We stay available to answer questions, support you through the early stages of living in your new home and address any concerns in line with your warranty.
For many clients, the knockdown rebuild project represents a fresh start after years of making do in an existing home that no longer worked. Our goal is to ensure you feel at home sooner and confident that you made the right decision to rebuild in Melbourne with a builder that values long term relationships.
Book an appointment with one of our experts today
Financial benefits of a knock down rebuild
One of the most common questions we hear is about the cost of a knock down rebuild compared with moving or renovating.
Every site and design is different, but many clients find that a knockdown rebuild delivers better value in the long run. Because you are building new on your existing property, you usually do not pay stamp duty on a separate land purchase. This means you avoid extra stamp duty costs that come with buying an established home in a similar area.
You also gain the benefit of a home designed to current standards, which can reduce running costs and maintenance over time. Modern construction focuses on energy efficiency, with improved insulation, glazing and sealing compared with many older homes. This can help reduce heating and cooling costs and make your home more comfortable.
When you factor in the potential hidden costs of renovating an older property, the value of a well planned knock down and rebuild becomes clearer.
Dedicated Team Standing Out Among Melbourne Builders
When researching rebuild specialists, you may come across major companies and other builders with large display networks. At Ellari Homes, we take a more personal approach.
We are a boutique builder that focuses on a manageable number of projects at a time. This means our clients receive the attention, care and communication they deserve.
Our knockdown rebuild specialists are involved in each stage of your rebuild journey rather than handing you from department to department. You work with an expert team that knows your site, your design and your priorities. This allows us to respond quickly, keep you informed and ensure the entire process is delivered to the exceptional quality standard we expect across all our builds.
Your knockdown rebuild journey with our knockdown rebuild specialists
Choosing the right partner for a knockdown rebuild project makes all the difference. Ellari Homes is a family run builder with a dedicated team that lives its values on every site. Our knockdown rebuild team includes design, estimating and construction professionals who understand local councils across Melbourne and can guide you through the knockdown rebuild process in clear, simple steps.
From the first conversation, we focus on your goals, budget and timeline, then tailor the whole process around your family. Some clients come to us with pre designed floorplans already in mind. Others are starting from a blank page. Either way, we offer home designs and pre designed homes that can be adapted to suit your existing block and meet your family’s needs, all while ensuring a smooth and efficient building process.
Throughout your rebuild journey, you will have a single point of contact and regular updates, so you always know what is happening next.
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The cost of a knock down rebuild in Melbourne can vary widely. It depends on your site, your design, inclusions and any specific requirements from local councils. Factors such as demolition costs, site costs, soil classification, retaining walls and design complexity will all influence the final figure.
As a very general guide, some clients find that construction costs for a quality new home are best discussed as a rate per square metre, with additional allowances for site works and upgrades.
At Ellari Homes, we provide a personalised estimate after a detailed site assessment and soil test, rather than using rough averages. This helps to ensure that your building contract reflects the real conditions of your site and lowers the chance of hidden costs during construction.
During our free site assessment, we explain how different design choices, finishes and energy efficiency upgrades can affect your budget, so you can make informed decisions.
For many families, a knockdown rebuild is worth serious consideration. If you already live in a prized location with good amenities and community, rebuilding can allow you to enjoy a modern, energy efficient home with contemporary home designs, open plan spaces and storage that meets the needs of a busy household.
Renovations can be limited by the existing structure and may still leave you with compromises. A knock down and rebuild removes those limits and allows you to create a home that matches your lifestyle perfectly.
When you also consider the potential saving on stamp duty and the value of upgrading your existing property in a strong market, a knockdown rebuild can be both a lifestyle upgrade and a smart long term investment.
Whether it is cheaper to renovate or rebuild depends on the condition of your current home and on the scope of changes you want.
For homes with solid structure and only minor layout changes, renovation can sometimes be cost effective. However, if your old house has structural problems, outdated services or previous work that is not up to current standards, renovation can quickly become more expensive than you expect.
A knockdown rebuild process provides better cost certainty because you plan and price the entire process upfront. We can investigate with a soil test, engineer the structure correctly and work to current codes from day one. That reduces the risk of major surprises partway through.
We always discuss both options openly during the site assessment, so you can compare renovation and rebuild paths with clear information rather than guesswork.
Affording a knock down rebuild usually involves a mix of savings, equity in your existing property and finance tailored to construction.
Many clients speak with their lender or mortgage broker early to understand their borrowing capacity and how a construction loan works. Because you are keeping your existing block, the land value can often support finance for the new build.
During our early meetings, we talk openly about your budget and priorities, then suggest home designs and specification levels that line up with your financial comfort zone.
Transparent fixed pricing wherever possible, a clear building contract and realistic allowances for demolition costs and site costs all help to keep your knockdown rebuild project on track. Our aim is to help you achieve a fresh start in a home that suits your family, without unnecessary financial stress.