Knockdown Rebuild
Your Location Is Perfect. Your Home Can Be Too.
There is a reason people stay in their suburb for decades, the schools, the neighbours, the commute, the community they’ve invested years into building. What changes is the house. The dated layout, the inadequate storage, the rooms that no longer reflect how your family actually lives. Renovation can address some of it, but rarely all of it, and rarely without the ongoing compromise of working around an ageing structure built for a different era and a different household.
Knockdown Rebuild Done Right
Knockdown rebuilds carry more regulatory complexity than a standard new build, with heritage overlays, service disconnections, asbestos obligations, demolition permits, and council processes all needing to be navigated correctly before a single wall comes down.
- Planning & regulations
- Drainage systems and access to utilities
- Neighbours & noise
- Block Depth
- Pre-existing easements
- Street accessibility
- Power Supply Existing pools or pool builds
- Street frontage
How We Take Your Block From Old to New
We begin by assessing your property for heritage overlays, asbestos, existing services, and planning requirements to establish the full scope of demolition before any application is lodged, then coordinate all demolition permits, service disconnections, asbestos clearance, and licensed contractors to ensure the site is prepared correctly and safely for your new build. Simultaneously, your new custom home is designed and documented with all necessary planning and building permits prepared and lodged in coordination with your demolition programme, before we manage construction from the ground up through every stage to final inspection, certificate of occupancy, and handover.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if a knockdown rebuild is the right decision for my property?
A knockdown rebuild is typically the right decision when the cost and disruption of extensively renovating your existing home would exceed the value it adds, when your current home’s structural limitations cannot be economically resolved, or when you want a home that is genuinely new with modern energy efficiency, a full warranty, and a design that truly reflects your current lifestyle without sacrificing the location you love. BlueHex provides an honest, detailed feasibility assessment so you can make the right decision for your specific situation.
Does my existing home need to be assessed for heritage significance before we proceed?
Yes. This is one of the first checks BlueHex completes on any knockdown rebuild project. A Heritage Overlay on your property means a planning permit may be required for demolition before work can legally proceed. BlueHex reviews your property’s planning controls, overlay status, and council requirements at the very beginning of the process so you’re fully informed before any commitment is made.
How is asbestos handled in a knockdown rebuild?
Any home built before 1990 in Melbourne should be assumed to potentially contain asbestos-containing materials. BlueHex coordinates a licensed asbestos assessment of your existing structure, followed by safe removal and clearance by certified contractors if required, before demolition proceeds. All asbestos management follows Victorian regulatory requirements with no shortcuts and no exceptions.
How long does a knockdown rebuild take from start to finish?
From initial consultation through to moving into your new home, the full knockdown rebuild process typically spans 18 to 28 months. This timeline incorporates planning and permit approvals, demolition, design finalisation, and full new home construction. BlueHex provides a detailed, stage-by-stage project programme so your alternative accommodation and personal arrangements can be planned with genuine accuracy.
Do I need to move out during the knockdown rebuild process?
Yes. The property must be vacated before demolition commences and cannot be reoccupied during construction. BlueHex provides a clear project timeline well in advance of demolition commencement so you have ample time to arrange alternative accommodation and plan for the full duration of the project without undue disruption.
What permits are required for a knockdown rebuild in Melbourne?
At a minimum, a demolition permit and a building permit for the new construction are required. Properties subject to planning overlays, including Heritage, Neighbourhood Character, Vegetation Protection, or Environmental Significance overlays, may also require a planning permit before demolition can proceed. BlueHex manages all permit applications and council liaison processes, ensuring nothing is overlooked and your project progresses without avoidable regulatory delays.
Will a new custom home on my existing block add meaningful value to my property?
In the overwhelming majority of Melbourne cases, yes, particularly in established suburbs where land is highly valued and ageing housing stock is consistently being replaced by quality new residential construction. A well-designed, energy-efficient new home on an established Melbourne block routinely commands a substantial premium over the existing dwelling’s value, and dramatically reduces long-term maintenance costs, insurance exposure, and the running costs associated with older, thermally inefficient buildings.