Knock Down Rebuild

Inspiration exists at your address – with a knock down rebuild!

Keep your address and embrace all the convenience and appeal of modern, open plan living with a brand new Henley home.

A knock down rebuild with Henley will step you through the planning and application process, demolition and of course, selecting and building your new home.

Choose from Henley's range of 7-star home designs which can meet all of the most sought-after features of knock down rebuild project - large luxurious homes, more bedrooms, high ceilings, oversize kitchens, butler's pantry, additional ensuites, guest suites and premium inclusions.

As Melbourne’s knock down rebuild specialists, Henley has the experience and processes in place to get the job done efficiently. And we're here to support you every step of the way.

If this is your first knock down rebuild and you need extra support, we've got you. If you're a seasoned expert and you're onto your second or third project you'll love the simplicity of our process.

Head to our Glen Waverley display centre where you can see our number one knock down and rebuild house design or talk to the team at any Display Home location to find out more.

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The Melbourne knock down rebuild specialists

What's old will be brand new again, without any compromise. Our knock down rebuilds deliver luxurious 7-star home designs at exceptional value and peace of mind at every stage of your journey.

Luxury homes without the custom price tag

Build a large, luxurious home without the price tag associated with a custom build. Achieve a brand new 50-square home with better inclusions - more of what you want at no extra cost. Plus with Henley, you'll know how much your home will cost up front with our published home prices.

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Certainty before you sign

Unlike other builders who may ask you to sign a contract before checks and assessments are done, with Henley all preliminary work is completed and approved before you sign your contract and pay the full 5% deposit. You don’t sign a contract until demolition, council dispensations and planning permits are completed, giving you confidence and reducing risk.

Dedicated contact for each stage

When you start a knockdown rebuild project with us, you'll have one point of contact for each stage of the project. Following completion of the sales process, a project planner will work with you until building begins. Once construction starts, an on-site team member will look after you, answer your questions and keep you updated each step of the way.

Guarantees that stand the test of time

Built to last, Henley homes come with a structural guarantee of 50 years*. We’re proud to put our name on our builds and will confidently stand by our workmanship for far longer than the industry standard. *Exclusions apply.

Build with confidence

Henley is backed by a $7 billion parent company, the 330-year Sumitomo old Forestry Group. This means that no matter what happens, we will finish your home…so you can build with us with absolute confidence!

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Choosing your knock down rebuild home design

New 7-star home designs

Our designers have left no stone unturned to develop 7-star energy efficient single and double storey house designs. Say goodbye to your old house and build a new energy efficient modern home in your existing location.

Henley sets a new standard for uncompromising luxury. Expect better inclusions with more of what you want at no extra cost. We have many home designs  to choose from, so you can handpick the perfect rebuild design for your lifestyle and land.

Make the most of modern open plan features, generous sized ensuites, built in robes, a butler's kitchen and integrated alfresco areas. All new fittings and fixtures, with doors that open and close as they should!

Our top 3 knock down rebuild home designs

Exploring new home designs for your knock down rebuild project? Henley's Knock Down Rebuild home consultant, Jane Todd shares what clients love most about our top three knock down rebuild new home designs.

Valletta Series

Grand in proportions and elegant in styling, the Valletta Series is available in sizes ranging from 43 to 54 squares. Embrace space with multiple living and leisure zones and five bedrooms with up to five bathrooms. Some designs include sought-after features such as ensuites to all bedrooms, expansive voids, a laundry chute and study options.

"The Valletta is not only our best-selling home but our number one knock down and rebuild option and an ideal choice for families who need extra space," says Jane. "With a luxurious resort-inspired master suite upstairs and a spacious guest suite downstairs, it's perfect for multigenerational families, growing families or people who need extra office space."

“The Valletta on display at Glen Waverley boasts a downstairs guest bedroom that’s appealing for families who want flexibility for older children or grandparents to live with them. It has a wonderful walk in robe, generous ensuite and a second living zone which people love.”

Our knockdown rebuild customers love the Valletta for many reasons, including:

  • 5 bedrooms and up to 5 bathrooms
  • Downstairs guest bedroom with walk in robe, ensuite and separate living space
  • 5 living and leisure zones
  • Grand kitchen with wrap-around butler’s pantry
  • Extra large laundry
  • Part of the Reserve Collection which has more luxury standard inclusions

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Emperor Series

A wide and welcoming entry leads you into the enormous hub and entertainment zone of the Emperor Series, available in sizes ranging from 39 to 52 squares.

"The Emperor is unique due to its really wide living and entertaining area at the back," says Jane. "We hear from clients that they love the spacious entry and the huge, open kitchen-living-dining that opens to the alfresco and backyard. It’s the full width of the house and really takes people's breath away."

“The larger Emperor floorplans have additional features such as ensuites to all bedrooms or an additional leisure room to the rear of the home. Plus, our customised pre-drawn options make it easy to achieve a home tailored to you by including a downstairs guest bedroom, master bedroom to the rear or grand alfresco.”

Our knockdown rebuild customers love the Emperor for its:

  • Expansive open plan living, dining and kitchen area
  • Impressive master suite including dressing room
  • Up to 4 bathrooms and 2 powder rooms (design specific)
  • Butlers pantry with direct access from the garage
  • Separate upstairs leisure area
  • Part of the Reserve Collection which has more luxury standard inclusions

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Amalfi Series

"The Amalfi Series is designed as a spacious and luxurious single storey home," says Jane. "It’s attractive to downsizers who want a nice large home and don’t want a double storey and is also an ideal family home, with several sizes and floor plan options to choose from."

It features generous sized rooms throughout, located away from the entertaining zone, including a master suite retreat with large dressing room.

Knock down rebuild customers love the Amalfi for its:

  • Wide and welcoming entry area
  • Grand, open plan kitchen dining and alfresco areas
  • Large bedrooms and king-sized master suite
  • Additional leisure area with option to change to a study
  • Double vanity as standard
  • Part of the Reserve Collection which has more luxury standard inclusions

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Why choose a knock down rebuild?

Location love

Attached to your neighbourhood but have a home that's outdated or unsuited to your needs? Stay in a location you love with a brand new home that reflects your personal style and meets the needs of your family well into the future.

Tick all the boxes

Turn your existing property into a dream home where you've chosen all the features. Embrace the latest design trends, energy-efficient features and modern technology, for a home that's designed and built with the needs of your family in mind.

Boost resale value

Building a new, modern home can increase your property's value especially in areas where there is limited new land available like existing suburbs.

Expand your home's footprint

Renovations can be limited by the existing structure of your house. A knock down rebuild overcomes these constraints. Select a home design that suits your block without being restricted by the layout of your old home.

Save on fees

If your home was designed before open-plan living, rebuilding is likely to be more affordable than buying elsewhere or renovating. A knock down rebuild can save you money on stamp duty and real estate fees.

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3 things you need to know before starting a knock down rebuild

Henley's knockdown rebuild specialist Sarina has supported hundreds of customers through their journey. Sarina shares three key tips for ensuring your build is as seamless as possible.

1. Demolition can cost more than you expect.

"Many people are surprised at how much it costs, thinking that it's only a couple of thousand to knock down a home. At the moment, costs can be around $25,000 so this definitely needs to be factored into your budget at an early stage," Sarina explains.

2. Each block is bound by different governing bodies.

"You need to make sure the house you want is the house that will fit with the rules associated with your block. Each council has different rules," Sarina says. There may be restrictions based on the way the neighbours' bedroom windows face or if you have a bus stop out the front."

3. If you're building a bigger home, you will need bigger services.

Sarina also advises to consider the need for additional utilities capacity. "A storm water pipe pushing out water from your 15 square home won't be adequate for a 50 square home. The more toilets and showers you have, the more capacity you need for sewage and grey water. You may need to upgrade underground power to accommodate higher demand from a larger space and more appliances such as air conditioning."

The demolition and knockdown rebuild process

Our step-by-step guide is here to assist you through the complete demolition process. Forget the paperwork - we'll also guide you through planning and approvals. Your designated customer service administrator will be your main point of contact throughout the demolition phase. Here's an overview of what needs to happen.

Step one: Research and preparation

Start your knock down rebuild journey by contacting your local council and utilities companies to gather essential information about your land, existing services and demolition requirements for your existing home. Obtain an Asset Protection Permit and find a reputable demolition company.

Step two: Onsite connections and considerations

Review and assess your current water and power connections and disconnect all your utilities. If your property has older clay pipes, an upgrade to PVC may be necessary. Some properties with overhead power connections will need an underground power pit installed. Also think about preserving any established trees and whether you'll need to remove or replace fencing.

Step three: Post demolition

After demolition, ensure all excess soil, debris and rubbish are cleared and the grass is cut. Notify us as soon as the site is ready, and we'll arrange for a second soil survey and site inspection to finalise preparations for your new home and commence construction.

For a more detailed step by step see our knock down rebuild process.

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Up front pricing and transparent process

Our fully transparent knock down rebuild process means most preliminary work is completed before you sign your contract. This includes demolition, council dispensations and planning permits.
Other builders handle unexpected costs with mid-construction cost variations meaning you never know the full cost until the project is complete. With Henley, you sign for the final price—guaranteeing peace of mind from start to finish.

Knock down rebuild Melbourne with a team you can trust

Henley has a dedicated team of knockdown rebuild specialists who can answer your questions and provide support each step of the way.

Lead by Henley's Knock Down Rebuild home consultant, Jane Todd who has 20+ years of industry experience our team can advise on all the entire process, making your build journey more seamless and less stressful.

We'll step you through the paperwork, permits and approvals, so you can relax and enjoy the process.

Start fresh with your knock down rebuild project

Ready to turn your current home into a brand new, modern, fully-integrated, energy efficient home with premium inclusions?

Choose the home builder that has been creating dream homes for Melbourne residents for more than 30 years. At Henley we look after you from start to finish, and for many years after.

We look forward in seeing you at our Glen Waverley Display Centre located at 464 Springvale Road Glen Waverley. Open daily from 11am – 5.30pm. Or visit one of our Display Home locations across Melbourne and Victoria.

 

Knockdown and Rebuild FAQs

How do I choose the right builder for a knock down rebuild?

Look for a builder with a track record in knock down rebuild projects in your area, as they will be familiar with the local government regulations and challenges.

Clear and open communication is really important with multi-stage projects like knock down rebuilds. Choose a builder who is transparent about pricing and timelines who keeps you informed at every stage.

How can I tell if my property is suitable for a knock down rebuild?

It’s important to do your research before making a decision to proceed with a knock down rebuild project. Consider the size, shape and location of your block and the type of house you want to build.

Check with your local Council for any approvals required such as Planning permits or Dispensations as well as any restrictions on your property like heritage or environmental protections.  

The more information you have about your block, the better informed you will be to make a decision and understand the costs up front. Is your home connected to a sewer or septic? Is there an old septic tank on the site? If you have overhead power coming into the property you may need to organise and pay for an underground power connection.

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What are the potential challenges involved in a knock down rebuild?

Henley's knockdown rebuild specialist Sarina warns that obtaining Council approvals is never guaranteed: "Timeframes for council approvals can often be longer than indicated on their websites. There may be inspections or other permits required. For these reasons, Henley recommends waiting for any Council approvals prior to demolition."

If your existing fences are on the boundary of the property and the rebuild impacts the fence line, you may need to remove and reinstall the fence which will require cooperation with your neighbours. If you need to build new fencing it will have to reflect any council regulation changes since the initial fence was built.

Unexpected site issues can also arise like asbestos being found after demolition has begun or an underground well being exposed following the removal of your existing home.

Are there stamp duty costs for a knock down rebuild?

No, that's one guaranteed saving. As you already own the property, there are no stamp duty fees. If you buy a new property for the knock down and rebuild, you'll have to pay stamp duty on that purchase.

What permits and approvals are required for a knock down rebuild?

A Planning permit (if applicable), Council Report and Consent (Dispensation) (if applicable), Asset Protection Permit, Build over easement approval (if applicable), energy assessment and building permit.

An asset protection permit is a permit plus a bond for the footpath and your crossover. If anything is damaged, it will need to be repaired.

What type of home loan do I need for a knock down and rebuild?

Construction or building loans can offer more flexibility for knock down rebuilds. Construction loans let you draw down on the money you need when you need it rather than drawing down the entire amount at once, known as progressive drawdown. This approach is perfect for a knock down rebuild project as you only pay interest on the amount you use.

How much does a knock down rebuild cost?

Every project is different. Some of the costs to take into consideration include:

  • Costs of council permits including planning, building and asset protection permits
  • Demolition costs including removal and disposal
  • Additional costs for asbestos removal if applicable
  • Site preparation costs including tree removal or trimming and site levelling or grading
  • Stormwater and drainage system upgrades
  • Sewerage system upgrades
  • Power supply upgrades
  • Survey and inspection costs
  • Unexpected costs related to unforeseen issues (e.g., septic tank removal, underground obstructions)
  • Cost of the new home build
  • Cost of living somewhere else and potentially paying rent and a mortgage while the build is underway

Getting a detailed breakdown of all the costs and timelines upfront helps avoid surprises later on and ensures the project aligns with your budget and schedule.