Should I Knock Down & Rebuild or Renovate?

There are a lot of older houses that are just not energy efficient and have layouts and services that can no longer serve the needs of modern families. They may also be at the end of their usable life (meaning they would cost more to repair/update than replace). So a choice for home owners today is to knock down their existing home and rebuild a new one to suit their current and future needs. It is also a marketing strategy for the volume builders.

A knock down and rebuild can sometimes be more cost effective and faster than renovating an existing home.

On the flip side however, planning policies are always being updated and you could find a very long list of new requirements and restrictions compared to what is existing; your site may require extra preparation and additional costs; site access might be a limiting factor; retaining the existing structure could be more efficient and cost effective'; it may have unique council approved status that will be lost if demolished.

Each site needs to be assessed to understand its value and how to best meet your needs. An assessment by Built for Living of your existing home can help you decide which way to go.

Do I need an Architect?

If you want a well thought out and uniquely designed home with many valuable features, engaging an architect or professional designer may well be worth the extra investment.

Beware however! A common problem we encounter is owners having plans drawn-up, without a builders input, and then finding themselves with a beautiful set of plans they can’t afford to build, which can be very disheartening. It happens more than you know.

We recommend engaging a service like Built for Living from the outset to coordinate your design with your budget.

When Can You Start?

If you already have building approval (DA+CC or a CDC), our availability may just depend on our current work load.

Without building approval, you will need to allow several months for professional plans to be prepared, various mandatory reports to be obtained, some back and forth, and then have them assessed by a private certifier or council, prior to gaining building approval. Let us know if you need help with the preparation.

Can you Help Get Building Approval?

Yes. We can take care of that so you don’t have to worry. As part of our design service, Built for Living will also research the regulations and government controls specific to your property (as each property is unique) and incorporate this into your design in preparation for assessment by council or private certifier.

How Long Will It Take To Build?

There are many factors that determine the time required to complete the actual build of a major renovation. They can take between six to eight months - more or less, but It all depends on the complexity of your project, midway changes requested by the owner, labour and material supply availability, unforeseen factors, and of course the weather conditions throughout the job. We will specify a build period in our building contract after all the factors have been assessed and diligently work to that.

Who Will Manage My Project?

Rod and Kathy are the business owners. Rod will be your ‘hands on’ project manager and supervisor throughout your entire project. Kathy will liaise and provide additional communications throughout your project. You won’t have to repeat your story to each new manager, each time they turn over (we hear that happens a lot), just Rod and Kathy.

Does a Major Renovation Require More Skill Than Building New?

Generally yes, based on our experience. Having done both over the years, we can confirm doing alterations and additions to an existing home requires a specific level of skill and understanding more so than simply building a new structure. Sure, building new does require certain skills, and there are some very complex projects out there, but generally, it’s pretty straightforward otherwise.

On the other hand, when modifying existing structures, a great deal more thought, care, time and safety is required due to the progressive marrying-up of the new structure to the old; the hazards involved e.g. modifying structural loads, dealing with a range of hazardous dusts and materials; protecting exposed parts of the existing building from the weather; caring for owners living onsite; working in established neighbourhoods etc. Choose your renovator wisely.

Can You Make My Home More Energy Efficient?

Retrofitting options can be applied during a renovation to improve the energy efficiency of your home - to reduce running expenses, and improve the comfort factor. The level of impact of these applications will be determined by the accommodating characteristics of your existing home, and of course your budget.

There is also Basix, NSW’s state regulation governing the minimum energy/resource efficiency standards of new building works, which has recently been upgraded to a minimum of seven stars. This is helpful and does offer some flexibility in how you achieve meet the requirements (improve comfort and lower running costs), but if you are savy when it comes to energy efficiency, Built for Living can boost improvements to this even more, and some at no cost.

Do You Charge For Quotes?

Yes, just like all the other professional service providers - architects/engineers/certifiers etc, to research and prepare a detailed cost analysis of your project takes time and energy. A detailed quote prepared by us will allow you to budget your finances with greater confidence than a free quote. Those who offer free quotes generally hide their charge in their build cost, or they may even offer a credit if you go with them, but they will still account for it somewhere in their price, they have to. Built for Living aim to be as up front as possible.

Are Your Quotes Itemised?

Yes. In our quotations we itemise the details about the proposed materials and components, their location and the trades involved. As the job progresses you will be able to see these items and where they are being installed. This will help give you the assurance construction is as per the original budgeted agreement and that it complies with building standards and regulations.

Can I Live in My Home During Renovations?

If you can secure a self-contained sanctuary within your home and have clear everyday access, then it could work.   

Otherwise we strongly advise you seek alternative accommodation when there is significant demolition and alterations; when existing services will be removed like shower, bath, sink, kitchen, bedrooms, roof; the time of year you are building - think of cold winter and missing walls.

There is also the daily disruption of subcontractors, yard areas being used as materials and waste storage, parking congestion, noise, dust and hazardous rubbish etc. to contend with. As time to completion will be delayed, you will be accepting that more of this will need to be endured.

Perceived rent savings by staying may be diminished with the additional fees for the increased safety management, barricading, cleaning, protections, dust sealing, etc. to accommodate the ever-present occupants.

Swift progress is more achievable with a vacant building.

Can I See The Building Progress?

Yes. Built for Living schedule regular on site meetings where the building progress can be viewed. We can answer questions, walk through safe areas of the site and discuss details of current and upcoming tasks. For safety reasons, access will be restricted at all other times. We also keep you up to date with the schedule and photos of the progress of the work.

Can My Pets Stay on Site When Building?

No. We ask that you find alternative accommodation for your pets during our construction period. This is to reduce the risk to your pets and risks to the workers onsite. We take no responsibility for pets left onsite and we recommend pets be taken care of by a friend or relative for the whole build duration.