You love your neighbourhood. The corner shop is nearby, and your neighbours always say hello. The place already feels like home. But your house is too old already, and renovating it would also cost more than you can manage.
That’s when you find out about knockdown rebuild (KDR). Put simply, you take down your old house and build a fresh one on the same block. However, the question is, how much does a KDR cost?
At Begbie Bentham, we help Brisbane homeowners understand every aspect of the knockdown rebuild process.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through demolition costs and construction rates. By the end of this article, you’ll also learn the full process of a knockdown rebuild and how to pick your builder.
Read on to see what your new home will cost as a KDR in 2025.
What Are the 2025 Knockdown Rebuild Costs?
In Brisbane, a knockdown rebuild usually costs somewhere between $800,000 and $1.2 million. That is a big range, and no two quotes will look the same. The price depends on how much it takes to knock down your old place and then build the new one.
It’s important to know these main costs before you plan your budget, so let’s break them down.
Typical Demolition Costs for an Existing House
Demolition means pulling down your old house from top to bottom. A standard home demolition job in Brisbane usually costs between $10,000 and $40,000. During this process, the crew takes down the walls, roof, and foundations, then hauls away all the debris.
Now, the cost of demolition can jump up for a few reasons. For one, if your home was built before 1990, there’s a good chance it contains asbestos. You’ll need licensed contractors to remove asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), which will cost between $25 and $160 per square metre based on the condition and extent.
Also, if your block is steep or access is tight, that’s another reason you’ll need to pay extra. This is because crews will need more time and special gear for the job in such cases, and it can double your cost (we wish we were joking about the ‘double’).
Brisbane Knockdown Price Per Square Metre
Per-square-metre rates tell you how much your new house will cost to build. You take your house size and multiply it by the rate. According to the latest data, you’ll have to pay around $3,000 to $5,500 per square metre in Brisbane.
Let’s get more specific. Suppose you want a basic finish for your house. In that case, it’ll cost you around $3,000 per square metre. And a mid-range quality home will require $4,000 to $4,500 per square metre.
But hold on, what if you’re thinking of going all the way with a luxury build? Well, then you’re looking at $5,500 per square metre or more. Premium fixtures (think stone benchtops, etc.) are the reasons behind this higher rate.
As you can see, the biggest price difference in construction comes from the materials you pick and how fancy you want your design to be.
Pro Tip: Ask your builder for a clear list that shows whether items like floor coverings, light fittings, and landscaping are part of the price. This knowledge will prevent unpleasant surprises when you review the final bill.
The Complete KDR Building Process Explained
The complete building process for KDR involves design and approvals, with demolition and site prep next. Afterwards, you’ll have a construction and finishing stage.
Let’s be real… if you know what happens in each step, you will plan better and avoid surprises in later phases. Most projects take 18 to 24 months from start to finish.
We’ll now walk you through the things that happen at each stage.
The Process: From Home Design to Building a Dream Home
Your project starts with design work and council approvals before any building begins. At the very beginning, you’ll work with designers to create your house plans. Then you’ll submit applications to the Brisbane City Council for demolition and building permits.
Honestly, the approval process usually takes 2 to 3 months, and that’s a standard case. If your block is in a heritage area or a bushfire zone, you may wait longer for demolition and building approvals (don’t worry, everyone survives this approval limbo).
Anyway, once you get your permits, demolition starts and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to knock down and clear your site. And after the crew prepares your block, construction kicks off with footings and foundations.
From there, your builder will move through framing, roofing, and lock-up stages. Roughly speaking, the actual building part usually takes 8 to 12 months, but the duration will depend on how large and luxurious your home is. That’s it.
A Guide to Full Costs and Potential Hidden Fees
People often make the mistake of thinking that the building quote includes every possible expense in a project. The sad reality is that builders focus on the main construction price but skip several must-pay costs that can add $15,000 to $30,000 to your total bill.
These extra costs often catch homeowners off guard. That’s why the best approach here is to plan for them early, so you’re ready for the overall cost.
Here’s what builders usually leave out of their quotes:
● Service Connections: Water, electricity, and sewerage connections to your new home come as individual charges from your utility companies. These connection fees can run from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on where you live, equipment, electrical loads, and water pressure needs.
● Council Contributions: Brisbane City Council requires infrastructure charges for new homes to cover the impact on local roads, parks, and community facilities. The charges are separate from building approval fees and typically cost $8,000 to $15,000 for a standard home.
● External Works: Your building contract covers the house structure, but rarely includes finishing work like driveways, fencing, basic landscaping, and retaining walls. So, budget $10,000 to $25,000 for external works because you need these done to get your occupancy certificate and move in.
Based on our experience, additional works like driveways and fences always add up. If you budget for those works from the start, you can move in on time without last-minute stress.
Choosing the Right Builder for Your Project
We can’t stress it enough: you must select a capable team of builders for your project. That’s because a good building team helps the job stay on schedule and keeps you in the loop throughout the construction.
On the flip side, a bad team usually causes delays and overspends your budget. In short, who you pick as your builder can change everything about your project. You get the idea.
Let’s look at your main options and what to focus on.
Choosing a Builder: Display Home Companies vs Custom Design Firms
When you start planning a new home, one of the first decisions you need to make is about the kind of builder you want. Do you go with a display home company, or do you hire a custom design firm?
These two options look very different once you go deeper into their processes.
Display Homes
A display home is a ready-made design. You can walk through it, imagine your furniture inside, and then order the same plan for your block. This option also feels fairly direct because your choices are limited and the price is clear from the start.
Now, builders often quote around $1,100 per square metre base price for a display home. Plus, you will know in advance when your home will be ready to move into.
Sadly, the trade-off with this type of home is reduced flexibility. That means you have to stick to the layouts you choose. For example, if you want to move a wall or change the layout of your kitchen, chances are the answer is no (basically IKEA, but for homes).
Custom Design Homes
Custom designs are the opposite of display homes. Your chosen firm starts with a blank page and designs around your family’s preferences, your block, and your ideas. The same team carries the job from sketches through to handover, which cuts down on miscommunication.
Perhaps the only downside of custom homes is the price. You’ll need to pay a base price of $1,500 per square metre for a custom-designed home.
But look at the bright side, you’re getting a place customised entirely to you and your ideas. That is absolutely worth the price, trust us.
Pro Tip: Before signing with any builder, ask for a list of past clients you can speak to. Honest feedback from people who have already worked with that company often tells you more than brochures or websites ever will.
Your Next Steps Forward
The idea of knockdown rebuilds can seem daunting to many people, but it allows you to stay in your favourite neighbourhood while getting a new home. You only need to be clear about your expectations regarding how you want your house to look.
In this article, we’ve covered the main costs of a knockdown rebuild. We’ve also covered the post-demolition building process, as well as how to pick your builder.
At Begbie Bentham, we guide families in Brisbane through every step of the knockdown rebuild process. If you’re ready to start planning your dream home, contact us today for your free consultation and find out what your new home will cost.