Knockdown and Rebuild Brisbane

We offer our professional knockdown and rebuild services throughout Brisbane, including:

• South Brisbane: South Bank, West End, Highgate Hill, Woolloongabba
• East Brisbane: Bulimba, Hawthorne, Balmoral, Wynnum, Manly, Carindale
• North Brisbane: Ascot, Hamilton, Clayfield, Hendra, Kedron, Chermside
• West Brisbane: Paddington, Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Kenmore
• Brisbane CBD and surrounding areas
• Brisbane City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, and Redland City Council areas

Our knockdown and rebuild process is a comprehensive approach that takes you from initial concept to a completed home with clear milestones along the way:

Step 1: Site inspection (1-2 weeks) 

We thoroughly assess your existing property, checking soil conditions, slope, access points, and surrounding environment. Our builders conduct compliance checks regarding easements, heritage overlays, and council zoning requirements.

Step 2: Design consultation (2-4 weeks) 

Working closely with you, we develop custom plans that match your vision, lifestyle needs, and budget. This phase includes material selection, layout planning, and preliminary energy efficiency assessments to ensure compliance with building regulations.

Step 3: Planning approval (4-8 weeks)

We handle all documentation and submissions to Brisbane City Council and other relevant authorities. Our builders manage building permits, development applications, and ensures all designs meet local building codes and regulations.

Step 4: Demolition (1-2 weeks) 

Our licensed contractors safely remove your existing structure with minimal disruption to neighbours. This phase includes asbestos checks, disconnection of services, and proper waste disposal in compliance with environmental regulations.

Step 5: Construction (6-9 months)

We build your new home from the ground up with regular quality inspections at each stage. Our construction timeline includes scheduled compliance checks for foundations, framing, waterproofing, electrical, plumbing, and final building certification.

Step 6: Handover (1 day)

We walk you through your completed home, explaining all features and systems. This final stage includes providing all warranty documentation, certificates of completion, and maintenance schedules to ensure your home remains in perfect condition.

At Livit Constructions, we offer a comprehensive range of building services beyond knockdown and rebuild projects. Our team of experienced professional builders are equipped to handle various construction needs across Brisbane, all delivered with the same attention to detail and quality craftsmanship.

• Home Extensions: Adding space and value to existing homes with seamless additions that match your current style
• Complete Home Renovations: Transforming outdated properties into modern, functional living spaces
• Interior Remodelling: Refreshing kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas with contemporary designs
• New Home Construction: Building custom homes from scratch on vacant land
• Heritage Restorations: Carefully updating character homes while preserving their historical features
• Outdoor Living Spaces: Creating functional alfresco areas, decks, and pool surrounds
• Project Management: Overseeing your construction project from concept to completion
• Custom Cabinetry: Designing and installing bespoke storage solutions and built-in furniture

At Livit Constructions, we provide comprehensive new home construction services across Brisbane's diverse suburbs and terrains. Our new home construction options include traditional slab-on-ground builds that work well on flat blocks, split-level designs perfect for Brisbane's hilly suburbs, and elevated construction methods ideal for flood-prone areas. We place special emphasis on Brisbane-specific factors in all our new builds, including thorough soil testing to identify reactive clay areas common in western suburbs, flood mitigation strategies essential for properties near the Brisbane River and its tributaries, and orientation planning to maximise natural cooling breezes while minimising harsh western sun exposure.

Selecting the right contractor for your knockdown and rebuild project is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Here are the key criteria to consider when making your choice:

• Proper licensing and insurance: Ensure your builder holds a valid QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission) license specific to residential construction work.
• Extensive local portfolio: Review completed projects in Brisbane suburbs similar to yours – local experience matters as building conditions vary significantly across the city.
• Queensland Development Code knowledge: Your builder should demonstrate thorough understanding of Queensland-specific building codes, particularly energy efficiency requirements and cyclone ratings.
• Brisbane City Council processes: Look for contractors with proven experience navigating Brisbane's specific planning schemes, overlay codes, and development application processes.
• Climate-appropriate building methods: Brisbane's subtropical climate requires specific construction approaches to manage humidity, summer heat, and seasonal storms.
• Local terrain expertise: From the flood plains of Norman Park to the steep slopes of Bardon, your builder should understand how to adapt construction methods to your specific location.

Ready to start your knockdown and rebuild journey with Brisbane's trusted local experts? Contact our builders at Livit Constructions today on 0434 244 779 or email info@livitconstructions.com.au to arrange your initial consultation.

At Livit Constructions, our local expertise spans 20 years of building across diverse Brisbane suburbs from riverside Hamilton to leafy Chapel Hill. Our efficiency in project delivery consistently meets deadlines with our streamlined six-stage process that eliminates common delays. Our project diversity showcases our versatility, having successfully completed knockdown rebuilds ranging from character Queenslanders in Paddington to modern family homes in Carindale and luxury waterfront properties in Wynnum. Our work in established Brisbane suburbs like Ashgrove, Bulimba, and Kenmore has earned us a 95% client satisfaction rate, with many homeowners recommending our services to friends and family throughout Brisbane's communities.

Before embarking on a knockdown and rebuild project, understanding the essential planning requirements is key for success. A comprehensive soil test is necessary to identify reactive clay areas, underground water issues, and appropriate foundation requirements specific to your Brisbane location. An accurate site survey provides important information about property boundaries, existing structures, significant trees, and contour levels that influence design possibilities. A detailed structural report assesses the existing home's condition and identifies any materials requiring special disposal, particularly important in Brisbane's older suburbs where asbestos is common. At Livit Constructions, our expertise in interpreting these technical reports means we can translate complex information into practical building solutions, helping you make informed decisions while avoiding costly surprises during your knockdown and rebuild journey.

A knockdown and rebuild is the process of demolishing an existing home and constructing a brand-new residence on the same block of land. This approach allows homeowners to remain in their preferred location while enjoying all the benefits of a modern, purpose-built home. In Brisbane, knockdown and rebuild projects are increasingly popular due to evolving zoning laws that now permit higher density developments in many suburbs, creating opportunities for more substantial or dual-occupancy homes. Brisbane's housing renewal needs are also driving this trend, as many post-war homes built in the 1950s and 60s no longer meet contemporary living standards or energy efficiency requirements, while the premium land they occupy continues to appreciate in value, making demolition and rebuilding financially sensible.

The average cost of a knockdown and rebuild project in Brisbane typically ranges from $550,000 to $900,000, depending on size and specifications. This figure includes approximately $15,000-$25,000 for demolition and site preparation. The final cost is influenced by several key factors: the block's typography and access (sloping sites requiring retaining walls can add $30,000+); the home's size and design complexity (custom designs average $3,000-$4,500 per square metre); material selections (premium finishes can increase costs by 15-25%); and existing site conditions such as soil quality and the presence of rock or fill. Additional cost considerations include council fees, which vary by Brisbane region, temporary accommodation during construction, and specific requirements for properties in flood-prone or bushfire-rated Brisbane suburbs.

A knockdown and rebuild project in Brisbane typically takes 10-14 months from initial planning to final handover. The timeline breaks down into distinct phases with the design and approval stage requiring 3-4 months (including 6-8 weeks for council approvals which can extend in character-protected suburbs like Paddington or Ascot). The demolition phase usually takes 2-3 weeks, including disconnection of services and site preparation. The main construction phase spans 6-9 months depending on the home's complexity, with weather considerations particularly important during Brisbane's storm season from November to March when rain delays are common. Final inspections and certification typically require an additional 2-3 weeks to complete before handover can occur.

Knockdown and rebuild projects in Brisbane face several key limitations including zoning restrictions that may limit building height or floor space ratios, particularly in established suburbs with neighbourhood character codes. Character overlays in suburbs like Ashgrove and Bardon require new builds to complement existing streetscapes, often mandating specific design elements or materials. Flood-affected lots along the Brisbane River and creek systems face stringent minimum floor height requirements, sometimes necessitating elevated construction that impacts overall design. Heritage protection presents significant limitations in historic suburbs like West End or Woolloongabba, where many pre-1946 homes are protected under Brisbane City Council's Traditional Building Character overlay, requiring retention of street-facing facades or completely prohibiting demolition of character homes, forcing owners to renovate rather than rebuild.

A knockdown and rebuild offers numerous advantages for Brisbane homeowners looking to transform their property without changing location:

• Complete modernisation: Contemporary open-plan layouts, higher ceilings, and integrated indoor-outdoor living spaces perfectly suited to Queensland's climate
• Better energy efficiency: Current building standards requiring improved insulation, strategic orientation, and modern materials that significantly reduce electricity costs in Brisbane's subtropical environment
• Liveability improvements: Purpose-designed spaces for modern family needs, such as home offices, media rooms, and multiple living zones
• Increased property value: A brand-new home that appeals to future buyers and typically commands higher resale prices
• Reduced maintenance costs: All systems, fixtures, and finishes are new and covered by warranties‍
• Customised design: Perfectly matches your lifestyle rather than compromising with an existing structure

Choosing to knock down and rebuild instead of renovating makes financial and practical sense in several situations:

• Extensive damage: Termite infestation (common in Brisbane's older timber homes), concrete cancer, or structural subsidence often makes renovation costs unpredictable and excessive
• Poor layout: Existing post-war Brisbane homes with small rooms, low ceilings, and impractical flow cannot be easily corrected without substantial, expensive structural changes
• Long-term inefficiency: Older homes with poor insulation and orientation means ongoing high energy costs that a new build can eliminate through modern design principles
• Structural issues: Restumping a traditional Queenslander typically starts at $30,000 before any renovation begins
• Cost comparison: Extensive renovations often exceed 75% of rebuild costs while still compromising on layout and energy performance
• Council requirements: Renovations can sometimes trigger costly compliance upgrades that wouldn't apply to new builds‍
• Construction simplicity: Building new is often more straightforward than working around existing structures