How long does a knockdown rebuild typically take in NSW?

From demolition to handover is typically 10 to 14 months on a standard block. About 4 weeks for demolition and site prep, 8 to 10 weeks for approvals, and 7 to 10 months for the build itself.

Do I need to move out during a knockdown rebuild?

Yes. Once demolition starts your block is uninhabitable. Most clients rent nearby for the construction period. We can help plan timing so the rental window is as short as possible.

How much does a knockdown rebuild cost compared to renovating?

A knockdown rebuild usually delivers a brand-new home for 60 to 80 percent the cost of a comparable extensive renovation, with none of the structural-surprise risks. Standard rebuilds in our range run from $389k turnkey for the Modern Essential range.

Can I keep my existing pool, fence, or driveway?

Yes. Anything outside the demolition zone can stay. We coordinate the demolition envelope with the build footprint so existing features you want to keep are protected.

What council areas have you done knockdown rebuilds in?

We have completed knockdown rebuilds across The Hills Shire, Blacktown, Penrith, Parramatta, Camden and Liverpool councils. Each council has slightly different DA requirements and we navigate those for you.

Will my new home be more energy-efficient than the original?

Significantly. Every 13 Homes build meets BASIX 2025 requirements with NatHERS 7+ star thermal performance, far exceeding what older brick-veneer homes typically achieve. Lower running costs from day one.

Knockdown Rebuild

Stay in your suburb. Build the home you actually want.

Love your street, your school zone, your neighbours — but not your house? A knockdown rebuild gets you a brand-new 13 Homes residence on the land you already own. No house hunting, no stamp duty on land, no goodbyes.

Free Site Assessment See the Process

$0 Land stamp duty

5 KDR-specific stages

8 Council areas covered

100% Turnkey delivery

Why knockdown rebuild

It usually makes more sense than renovating.

Renovations look cheaper on paper. Then the asbestos, the rotted joists, the dated electricals and the kitchen-on-the-other-side-of-the-house all show up. A KDR gives you exactly what you want, certified to current standards, on a fixed-price contract.

Keep your address

Same street, same neighbours, same school zone, same commute. The only thing that changes is the house. Most of our KDR clients say this is the #1 reason they chose to rebuild.

Save the stamp duty

You already own the land — there's no stamp duty on it. In Western Sydney that's typically $30k–$80k that stays in your pocket compared to buying new.

Brand-new, certified

BASIX-compliant insulation, current electrical standards, modern plumbing, smoke detectors, structural certifications. Every element built to today's code — not 1985's.

The KDR process

Five stages — before we even start the build.

A knockdown rebuild adds a few extra steps to the front of our standard seven-stage build process. Here's exactly what happens.

KDR Stage 01

Site assessment & feasibility

We come to your block. Our team measures the lot, photographs the existing dwelling, checks easements/setbacks, sewer/stormwater locations and tree protection zones. You'll get a feasibility report with achievable house footprints for your land.

On-site visit & full site survey
Existing dwelling condition assessment
Easement & setback review
Achievable footprint study

Typical: 1–2 weeks

KDR Stage 02

Design & selections

Choose a 13 Homes design (Modern Essential, Elite or Master Craftsmen) that suits your block, or commission a custom design. Lock in your facade, floorplan modifications, and inclusions. Get the fixed-price quote.

Design consultation with our drafting team
Facade & floorplan customisation
Inclusion selections & upgrades
Fixed-price contract

Typical: 3–5 weeks

KDR Stage 03

Approvals & service disconnection

We lodge with your council (or CDC certifier). Concurrently we coordinate the disconnection of power, gas, water and NBN from the existing dwelling — you don't deal with utility providers, we do.

DA / CDC lodgement & council fees paid
BASIX + NATHERS energy assessment
Utilities disconnection (we coordinate)
Asbestos & hazardous materials report

Typical: 6–10 weeks

KDR Stage 04

Demolition & site prep

Licensed demolition contractor removes the existing house, including any asbestos containment, foundation slab and concrete driveway. Bulk earthworks and sediment control follow. Site is ready for our slab.

Licensed demolition & rubbish removal
Asbestos handling per NSW regulations
Foundation & driveway removal
Bulk earthworks & sediment control

Typical: 2–3 weeks

KDR Stage 05

Build & handover

From here, we follow the standard 13 Homes seven-stage build: slab → frame → lockup → fitout → handover. Engineer-led, fixed-price, weekly progress reports.

M-Class slab & structural framing
Lockup, fitout & finishes
Pre-handover walk-through
Keys + 90-day maintenance + 6-yr structural

Typical: 8–14 months

Where we build

Eight council areas. Specialists in Western Sydney.

We don't pretend to be everywhere. We know the soil types, council quirks, and approval timelines in these eight LGAs better than any builder.

Blacktown

The Hills Shire

Penrith

Cumberland

Parramatta

Camden

Liverpool

Hornsby

FAQ

Knockdown rebuild, answered.

Often, yes — particularly for major renovations. Renovating a 1970s home to current insulation, electrical and plumbing standards while reshaping the floor plan typically costs 65–85% of a brand-new build, with significantly less certainty on final price (you can't predict what's behind the plasterboard). A KDR gives you 100% new, fixed-price, with a 6-year structural guarantee.

Most clients rent in the same suburb for 8–12 months. Some stay with family, some travel. We can recommend rental agents we've worked with in your council area. The build timeline gets locked into the contract so you can plan your lease end-date confidently.

Trees with tree-protection orders — we work around them and pay for arborist reports as needed. Pools — usually retained (we design the new home with the pool in place). Sheds — depends on condition and council compliance. We assess all of this during the Stage 01 site visit.

Any home built before ~1990 in Western Sydney almost certainly has some asbestos (eaves, fibro sheeting, electrical lining boards). We engage NSW-licensed asbestos removal contractors — never anyone unlicensed. The cost is included in the KDR quote, no surprises.

For council DA lodgements, yes — neighbour notification is part of the application. We prepare the documentation and submit it; you don't door-knock yourself. For CDC pathways the requirements are different (less neighbour input). We'll tell you which pathway suits your build at Stage 02.

Construction loans work the same way as a new build — bank releases funds at each stage (deposit, slab, frame, lockup, fitout, handover). If your existing home has equity in it, your lender will assess against that. We work alongside several mortgage brokers who specialise in KDR finance — we can introduce you.

Ready to rebuild on the land you love?

Book a free on-site assessment. We'll visit your block, measure up, photograph the existing dwelling, and give you a written feasibility within 7 days — at no cost or obligation.

Book Free Site Assessment Call 0406 842 664