How much to knockdown and rebuild a house in Sydney?
Here's a detailed breakdown of knockdown and rebuild costs in Sydney (2024 figures):
Total Project Cost Ranges:
Basic/Project Home: $600,000 - $800,000
Mid-range Home: $800,000 - $1.2M
Premium/Custom: $1.2M - $2M+
Breakdown of Specific Costs:
Demolition Phase ($20,000 - $50,000)
Basic demolition: $15,000 - $30,000
Asbestos removal: $5,000 - $20,000
Site clearing: $3,000 - $7,000
Service disconnection: $2,000 - $4,000
2. Build Costs (Per Square Metre)
Project home: $2,200 - $2,800/m²
Mid-range: $2,800 - $3,800/m²
Luxury/Custom: $3,800 - $5,500+/m²
3. Council & Documentation
DA fees: $5,000 - $15,000
CDC fees: $3,000 - $8,000
Engineering: $3,000 - $10,000
Surveyor: $2,000 - $4,000
Architect/Designer: 3-10% of build cost
Sydney-Specific Factors:
Location Variables
Eastern Suburbs: 10-15% premium
North Shore: 5-10% premium
Western Sydney: Close to average
South Sydney: Around average
Inner West: 5-10% premium
2. Site Challenges
Sloping blocks: +$20,000 - $100,000
Access issues: +$5,000 - $20,000
Rock removal: +$10,000 - $30,000
Soil conditions: +$5,000 - $25,000
3. Council Requirements
BASIX compliance
Heritage considerations
Floor space ratio
Height restrictions
Setback requirements
Additional Costs:
Temporary Living
Rental accommodation: $30,000 - $50,000 (12 months)
Storage: $3,000 - $6,000
Moving costs: $2,000 - $4,000
2. Site-Specific Works
Landscaping: $20,000 - $50,000
Driveway: $5,000 - $15,000
Fencing: $5,000 - $15,000
Retaining walls: $10,000 - $30,000+
3. Interior Finishes
Basic: Included in build cost
Mid-range upgrades: $50,000 - $100,000
Luxury upgrades: $100,000 - $200,000+
Cost-Saving Strategies:
Planning Phase
Volume builders vs custom
Simple design elements
Standard materials
Efficient floor plan
Minimal site works
2. Construction Phase
Fixed-price contract
Bundle trades
Bulk material orders
Regular site supervision
Clear communication
Important Considerations:
Timeline Expectations
Council approval: 3-6 months
Demolition: 2-3 weeks
Construction: 8-15 months
Total project: 12-24 months
2. Builder Selection
Multiple quotes
Check licenses
Verify insurance
Past project inspection
Client references
3. Risk Management
10-15% contingency budget
Detailed contracts
Progress payments
Regular inspections
Weather considerations
4. Market Considerations
Area median prices
Future growth potential
Overcapitalization risk
Resale appeal
Neighborhood standards
Best Approach:
Research builders extensively
Get 3-4 detailed quotes
Check council requirements early
Have clear contracts
Plan for contingencies
Consider long-term value