A Detailed Guide to Knocking Down and Rebuilding Your Home
Your current home may have felt suitable the first time you bought it. Years went by and your life has changed quite a bit, and now you’re thinking about moving into a home that will fit your current needs. While knocking down your home and rebuilding it may not be the first thing that springs to mind, it can actually make more financial sense than relocating. It may seem daunting, but worry not! We are here to take you through the process step-by-step.
Familiarizing yourself with planning restrictions and council regulations
Before you begin demolishing your home, you need to come up with a detailed plan. First and foremost, you will need to check if your project is in line with regulations in your area. Planning restrictions and council regulations will largely influence the decision-making process, so be sure to inform yourself on what you can and can not do beforehand.
Contact your local council to get an idea about your block of land and establish different factors that will impact your home design (e.g. vegetation or heritage overlays). In order for you to get planning and building approvals, you will also need to make sure that your new home plan complies with building regulations in your area while also keeping other important factors in mind such as:
- Depth of block
- Street frontage
- Street access
- Drainage
- Pool
- Neighbors
Coming up with a new home design
Since your old house doesn’t work anymore, you’ll have to come up with a new home design. Of course, the features you choose to add will largely dictate the price of the project. Ask yourself what you want from your new home and how you can design one that meets both your needs and your home building budget. Also, keep in mind that your design will be influenced by various factors, including the size and shape of the block, site orientation, overhead power lines, trees and other natural features, as well as slope.
As for the inspiration, consider visiting display homes. It’s a great way to gather ideas for your new home design, and it’s a common practice among homeowners in Australia where there’s no shortage of display villages.
Finding the right builder for your project
While the idea of knocking down their existing home and replacing it with a modern, improved one is being embraced by homeowners around the globe, it’s becoming more popular with Australian families who want to create a brand-new living environment that’s tailored to their every need.
Of course, part of making this big project a successful one is finding the right builder who will build your dreams into reality, and hiring professionals who specialize in knock down rebuild in Sydney is the safest bet for Aussie homeowners looking to build a lovely new home while keeping their current address, memories, and relationships. A good builder will show which designs best suit your land and customize them to fit your block’s shape and size while also tackling council issues and handling heritage and conservation requirements so you don’t have to.
Reaching for the wrecking ball and constructing a new home
After finding the best builder for your project and obtaining demolition permits, it’s time to reach for the wrecking ball. The process goes as follows:
- Preparing the site for the concrete foundation or slab
- Erecting roof trusses and wall frames
- Walls, roof covering, brickwork, external cladding, plumbing
- Installing interior fixtures and fitting internal doors and cabinets
- Painting and tiling
- Taking a walkthrough tour
- Completion and confirmation of handover date
Finally, make sure to supervise the building process – it’s one of the home building tips you want to keep in mind when designing your new house, so be sure to visit the construction site often. That way, if any mistakes occur, you’ll be able to spot them soon enough.
Wrapping up
Knocking down your home and rebuilding it can be a great alternative to homeowners who want a home that will accommodate their needs without necessarily leaving the neighborhood. It’s also more cost-effective than purchasing a new home or tackling large-scale renovations.
Regardless of whether you are looking to downsize or want more space to accommodate your family, if you stick the correct procedures and follow a couple of important steps, you’ll take stress out of the equation and ensure that your knock-down rebuild project goes as smoothly as possible.