KNOCKDOWN REBUILD

SYDNEY’S PREMIER GUIDE TO KNOCKDOWN
REBUILD SERVICES

DO YOU DREAM ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF KNOCKING DOWN AND REBUILDING YOUR EXISTING HOME?

Not all homes are well-suited to renovations. Sometimes a home has existing structural limitations or is beyond the age that makes it worth the investment to refresh. Foundation issues can also lead to high unexpected costs. For some homeowners, a better option is to completely knockdown your existing structure and rebuild your home from foundation to roof. A “knockdown rebuild” is often much less expensive than renovations. A knockdown rebuild on your existing property allows you to stay established in your current neighbourhood and remain part of the community your family has grown to love. You may also find an older home in an ideal location that could be knocked down and rebuilt to meet your family’s unique needs.
Zee Builders prides itself on being Sydney’s first choice for knockdown rebuild services. Scroll down to view our detailed guide of the knockdown rebuild process and experience the Zee Builders difference for yourself.

Benefits of a
KNOCKDOWN REBUILD

Allows you to design a custom home that aligns with your family’s unique needs.

Increases the resale value and potential capital of your home and property.

Renovations often come with hidden costs and unexpected fees. Our “Fixed Margin” pricing model removes the risk of going over budget.

Allows you to build with innovative technology and materials and increase energy efficiency.

Allows you and your family to stay established in your existing neighbourhood and community. Keep your existing routines and relationships and Avoids the stress of moving children to a different schools.

Avoids added real estate fees and transfer duty.

Getting ready for your
KNOCKDOWN REBUILD PROJECT

  • Before you make any major decisions about your future home, you should be mentally prepared to undertake a knockdown rebuild project. Tearing down your old home also means remoting memories, and that be tough for any family. Zee Builders recommends that you take time to fully understand your needs and the ideal features and “must-haves” of your dream home. The more prepared you are emotionally, the easier it will be to navigate the planning and construction processes.

  • A custom-built home is a significant investment and not a decision to be made lightly. Before undertaking your knockdown rebuild project, you need to meet with your bank to ensure you are financially ready. Most people will need financing to complete their home construction, so it’s crucial that you understand your current financial capabilities and your project’s estimated scope and budget. If you don’t plan to take out a loan to fund your project, Zee Builders highly recommends that you work with your bank to ensure you have the necessary funds available.

  • Unlike a traditional building project where the family moves from their old home into a new home, a knockdown rebuilt home creates a disturbance for your family. Since your family will need to move out of their existing home for it to be demolished and rebuilt, the need for emotional preparedness extends to each of them. Making sure they understand what the process involves will allow everyone to manage expectations as you transition into your new home.

  • Building a home is a time-consuming endeavour — a knockdown rebuild project can take several months to complete. Understanding your schedule and preparing your family will help relieve stress and manage expectations of when your new home will be move-in ready. Reviewing your schedule will also help you plan and budget how long you will require alternate accommodations once your existing home is demolished and your new home is being rebuilt.

  • A knockdown rebuild home is an investment—it’s important that you research Sydney custom home builders to find the company that aligns with your needs and budget. Zee Builders has over 15 years of combined experience in the residential construction industry. Our expert team of designers, engineers, and contractors have designed and built hundreds of unique custom homes. Our industry experience, reputation for quality and transparency, and commitment to open communication sets us apart from other builders in NSW.

  • The goal of any knockdown rebuild project is to create a custom home that meets the needs of you and your family. Each family has their own set of “must-haves” that makes their house function best for them. As you prepare to work with Zee Builders to design your home, compile a list of features that need to be included for your family to be satisfied. Specific design features to consider include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the size of your kitchen and pantry, or whether you need an attached garage. You’re still planning at this stage, but this step will help you communicate with our design team and fully understand the design elements that make your project distinct.

  • We finally get to the fun part! Once you have compiled your list of the design features you want to incorporate into your new home, it’s time to review sample floor plans. To make building your custom home a breeze, Zee Builders has over 30 home design series featuring a diverse range of modern, contemporary, and Hampton facades to choose from. Our complete custom design packages give you the flexibility to match your home design to personal needs–and your budget.

  • Before committing to your knockdown rebuild project, you must research your local construction and demolition regulations. Each council has its own planning restrictions and regulations that determine what you can and can’t do on your property. All demolition and building projects are subject to approval, and some homes (such as homes with a heritage overlay) may require additional permits and local council consent. These factors can significantly impact planning and design and may cause issues if they aren’t addressed before the demolition and construction begin.
    The process of determining site restrictions, design limitations, floor space ratios, building setbacks, bushfire risks, marine requirements, flood-affected sites, and acoustic requirements, among others, can be difficult and time-consuming for inexperienced homeowners to navigate. Zee Builders’ knowledgeable and experienced pre-construction team does the initial leg work for you. Before you sign your contract, we do the necessary background checks, review your site and required documents, and research council Development Control Plans (DCPs).

Zee Builders
PRE-CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

  • Zee Builders’ expert team of consultants will organise a meeting with you to discuss your project in detail. We will gather specific information about your site, including lot type, 88b documents, sewer diagrams, and any other relevant documentation you have available. Our consultants will then conduct an initial site inspection to review the lot and advise you on site restrictions, such as bushfire, salinity, flood, and acoustic treatments.
    Please note: all advice provided by Zee Builders during our complementary consultation phase is subject to information and document availability. Statutory requirements may be presented at a later stage after development application (DA) approval. Zee Builders will then advise you of any further site restrictions and requirements.

  • Once we have gathered the necessary information about your lot, Zee Builders will schedule a design meeting. During this stage, we will discuss your project budget, timeline, and design requirements. You can explore our large selection of pre-designed or custom designed homes and compile a list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”—then let our experienced team of designers do the rest!

    After our preliminary plans are completed, you will have the chance to review and modify the structural features of your design. As Sydney’s premier custom home builder, Zee Builders strives to provide you with a truly unique design. We will work with you throughout the entire design stage to make your dream home a reality.

  • So you love your new home design and want to move forward. What’s next?
    Zee Builders prides itself on integrity, professionalism, and honesty. We work with you to design the home of your dreams and present you with a quote that reflects the actual cost of your knockdown rebuild project.
    All of our project estimates are done externally and are based on industry-standard prices. Our commitment to transparency ensures you receive the fairest and most accurate quote for your project—without hidden costs or nasty surprises. Once you have reviewed your contract terms and tender price and are fully satisfied, we will finalize the contract agreement.
    Congratulations! You have now officially started your home building journey with Zee Builders. Your building contract is finalized only AFTER:
    • You thoroughly review your design and the detailed list of interior and exterior inclusions.
    • You pay our 5% Contract Signing Fee.

  • Once your building contract is finalized, Zee Builders’ pre-construction team will submit your plans and associated documents to the council for approval. Since this stage may take a few months, we advise that you compile a list of your desired internal and external inclusions. We will refer you to our suppliers and manufacturers to help you finalize your “must-haves” list.

  • Once your building approval is received, Zee Builders will finalise plans and documents as per DA conditions. You will then be notified of any changes or additional statutory requirements. Once your plans are finalised, we will submit them to the Principal Certifying Authority (PCA) for final approvals and Construction Certificate (CC).

    After we obtain the CC, you will be advised to begin demolition of your existing property (where applicable).
    Please note: Before commencing construction, Zee Builders requires a clearance certificate from your demolition company.

  • SIT BACK, RELAX, AND WATCH YOUR DREAM HOME COME TO LIFE!
    This is the official start of our construction phase. Once Zee Builders has received your ACC, Confirmation of Finance, and HOW, we will commence construction.
    This stage also gives you access to your very own Client Portal—a central location to access your building plans, documents, variations, and site progress or communicate with our team at any time.
    Construction only begins after you have signed the building contract. To effectively manage your knock-down rebuild project, Zee Builders separates your payments into 6 individual progress stages. Payment is due after each construction phase—you only pay once that stage is complete!

Planning makes PERFECT

Planning a custom knockdown rebuild project can be challenging, but the hard work pays off when your home matches your design and vision. With a trusted builder like Zee Builders, you can have confidence that your custom design aligns with your lifestyle and provides a comfortable home for you and your family.

Total cost is the biggest concern for people considering a knock-down rebuild projects. To ensure you receive an accurate estimate of project costs, we recommend that you contact one of our trusted design consultants.
Our experienced team will work with you to understand your requirements.

Zee Builders provides you with a transparent tender estimate that outlines your specific inclusions and exclusions.

The following are common questions homeowners have about the knockdown rebuild process.

  • Each knockdown rebuild project is unique, and the costs are dependent on your site conditions, demolition and site reclamation, construction materials, and interior/exterior fixtures and inclusions. A basic home on a standard block of land typically begins at an average of $1800 per/sqm. Custom homes with luxury inclusions and high-end materials can cost upwards of $3000 per/sqm.

  • Yes. Zee Builders is committed to transparency, and we do our best to include every aspect of costs associated with your build. Before we finalise our tender, we will provide a detailed quote outlining ALL included and excluded design features and contracted site services, including bulk excavation, all-weather site access, sediment control measures, site signage, soil removal, site waste removal, and connection of authority services such as gas, power, and NBN.
    To ensure you maintain your budget, Zee Builders recommends that you establish a minimum 30% budget buffer for unforeseen circumstances.

  • As the homeowner, you are responsible for arranging the demolition of your home. Demolition must be completed by an insured and licensed demolition contractor. For Zee Builders to proceed with your rebuild, we need a Clearance Certificate from your demolition contractor. Our consultants can refer you to our preferred demolition contractors for more information.

  • The cost of demolishing your existing home varies based on factors such as the size of your house, building materials used, site access, presence of hazardous materials, asbestos removal, tree removal, the proximity of nearby buildings, and any temporary fencing needed to cordon off your property. Removal of existing permanent fencing is another associated cost of demolition. Demolition services are typically in the $20,000 range for an average-sized home in Sydney.

  • No. The cost of tree removal is not included in your tender estimate. Depending on the size of the trees, you may need to contact your local council for a tree removal permit. All necessary permits must be in place and obstructive trees removed before we can access your site and begin construction.

  • Yes. Certain properties have specific considerations that need to be approved by your local council. Once you commit to a request for tender, Zee Builders can conduct a site inspection and apply for specialised zoning permits such as a 149 Certificate.

  • From building design to council approval, the pre-construction stage typically takes between 4 and 6 months. Prior to the pandemic, Zee Builders would guarantee project completion within 7 months. However, due to the large backlog of projects before council and current building material and labour shortages, construction may take upwards of 12 months. Zee Builders is committed to transparency—we will be honest and upfront about your project’s progress and keep you updated throughout your entire home building journey.

  • No. Homeowners are responsible for contracting their own driveway and landscaping services.

Consider when CHOOSING YOUR BUILDER

A custom-built home in Sydney is a major investment, and the most important part of the process is deciding on the right builder to make your dreams a reality. We are committed to improving the benchmark for industry standards.

Criteria for selecting your custom home builder :

OPEN COMMUNICATION:
The most important part of the home building process is being able to communicate openly with your custom home builder. Ensure your builder has an efficient method for communicating with you and that they maintain contact and provide frequent updates throughout your project. You must work with a builder who listens to you and fully understands your wants and needs.

RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY:
It is essential that you work with a home builder who has built a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy. Construction projects are organised based on a series of milestones and schedules. Your home builder and their contractors must be reliable to ensure your project is completed within your quoted timeline. A trustworthy homebuilder will honour their commitment to you and deliver on all promises—no matter how small.

FLEXIBLE:
During the design phase, it’s important to work with home builders who are flexible, agile, and willing to accommodate changes based on your specific requirements.

HONEST AND TRANSPARENT:
When it comes to homebuilding budgets, no one likes surprises. Cost overruns can add stress and tension to your project and result in you paying much more than you expected—or were quoted. Ensure you hire an honest home builder who provides clear, detailed quotes that outline all expenses and a straightforward contract without secret inclusions or hidden fees.

Zee Builders understands the importance of hiring a builder who
listens to your needs, understands potential limitations, and
can envision the design and construction of your custom home.
Book a complimentary consultation with our experienced team
today.