Knock down rebuild

Love your neighbourhood but not your house?

A knock down rebuild project could be the perfect answer! Knocking down your old home and rebuilding with Plantation Homes means you can achieve a modern, 7-star energy efficient, airy, open-planned home that embraces the Queensland climate and lifestyle.

Or you may have just bought an older or smaller home in a prime location with the intention to knock it down and build your dream home. Or perhaps you have simply outgrown your family home and are weighing up your options.

A knock down rebuild lets you replace an outdated home with a modern design that suits your lifestyle - think a private master suite with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, extra bedrooms, an entertainer’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, and plenty of leisure space for the whole family. Goodbye, cramped 1950s floorplan—hello, contemporary living!

A knock down rebuild solution will appeal if:

✔ You’ve always dreamed of building a new home and don’t want to compromise on your vision
✔ Your current home is outdated or you’ve bought an older home with the intention of rebuilding
✔ You love the area, want to stay near your favourite café and keep the kids at their school or start them in a great local one
✔ You want to save stamp duty costs and real estate agent fees (who doesn’t?)

Brisbane knockdown rebuild specialists

As Brisbane's knock down rebuild specialists, Plantation Homes brings experience and expertise to guide you through every step of your knockdown and rebuild journey.

Our standard inclusions are what others call upgrades - so you get more luxury, style, and value without the extra cost. With flexible home designs and structural options, we make it easy to create a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle and block.

Whether it’s your first knock down rebuild or you’re a seasoned pro, our straightforward process ensures a smooth experience from demolish and rebuild to moving in.

To get your knock down rebuild project started, we’ll assess your block and assist you to choose the best floorplan and design to suit you perfectly. 

For more information or to speak to a knock down rebuild expert, contact us today!

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Why choose Plantation Homes for your knock down rebuild project?

A knock down rebuild isn’t just about rebuilding your home, it’s about creating a brand new future in a location you love. From the initial site inspection to choosing the perfect colours and designs, every step is about creating a home you’ll love for years to come. We take care of building permits and manage the construction journey for your demolish and rebuild so you can relax knowing everything is in expert hands.

Luxury homes without the custom price

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

Transparent process

Our streamlined process ensures demolition, council approvals and permits are completed before you sign your contract. This means you lock in your final price upfront, avoiding the mid-construction cost variations applied by some new home builders.

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. You'll always have someone to answer your questions and keep you updated on progress.

Guarantees that stand the test of time

Built to last, every Plantation home comes with a 50 year structural guarantee. We confidently and proudly stand by our work for being well above and beyond the industry standard.

Build with confidence

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

Where we knock down and rebuild

As the knock down and rebuild specialists in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, we cover the entire south east coast of Queensland. Our team has excellent knowledge of the knock down rebuild requirements, rules and overlays for the various local council areas.

Plantation Homes knockdown rebuild specialist Paul Pereira says prime locations for knock down rebuilds include built up inner city areas and those with access to quality schools and public transport.

"The beauty of knock down rebuild projects is that you can build your dream home on a larger block, close to across established local amenities,” he says.

“The Gold Coast is a key region for knock down rebuild projects, due to a scarcity of available land and many established homes being older in style. As the CBD of the Gold Coast, Southport is particularly attractive for people seeking modern homes in a prime location."

"South Brisbane and North Brisbane, Mount Gravatt, Sunnybank, Underwood, Carindale and the Sunshine Coast coastal fringes are also popular locations for knock down rebuilds as families seek to retain their location but upgrade their homes to suit their needs.”

Where we build

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Our top knock down rebuild home house plans and designs

A knock down rebuild lets you stay where you love while upgrading to a stunning, energy-efficient home with Plantation Homes' signature style, premium inclusions, and cutting-edge design.

Our most popular knock down rebuild house designs are distinguished by their unrivalled Reserve inclusions and design features including resort-inspired master suites, functional living spaces, private ensuites for all bedrooms, striking voids and the adaptability of reverse floorplans.

Plantation Homes Rochedale knock down rebuild specialist Archie Nguyen says the Trinity boasted the most popular features of a knock down rebuild floorplan and was ideal for blocks with limited depth.

"The layout celebrates the quintessential Queensland lifestyle with multiple leisure areas to relax and unwind, a breezy alfresco area perfect for entertaining, an extensive master retreat with dressing room and ensuite, open plan kitchen with butler's pantry and a study or guest bedroom," he says.

Other designs that are popular with those looking to knock down and rebuild include:

  • Modena: A smart design that makes the most of every bit of space. A versatile family home with standout features, it's no surprise this has become one of our most appealing knock down and rebuild options.e’re talking a stunning grand staircase, huge double dressing and ensuite in the master, walk-in robes for every bedroom (no more wardrobe wars!), linen cupboards on both floors and an expansive kitchen with butler’s pantry. You can walk through the Modena 389-D42 on display in Labrador.
  • Valletta: Featuring a luxurious guest suite on the ground floor with a full ensuite and dressing room, the Valletta isp erfect for large families and multigenerational living, this design boasts a luxurious guest suite with ensuite and dressing room, plus multiple leisure zones and a spacious theatre. You can expeirience the Valletta 401-D43 in person at our Labrador Display Centre.
  • Panama: Redefining what’s possible in a single storey home, with five versatile floorplan options, making it the style of choice for single storey knockdown rebuild projects. Anchored by a gourmet kitchen and open plan living area and featuring a master suite with ensuite and dressing room to the rear of the home, the Panama is perfect all types of families.

The knockdown rebuild process

1. Talk to our knock down and rebuild specialists

    We'll talk through your vision for your new home, what's involved in a knock down rebuild and all the important things you need to know (and do!) before getting started.

    2. Choose your home design

    Choose one of our 7-star energy efficient home designs that suit a range of different block sizes. Take a personalised walk through our display homes to assist with the preparation of your sales quotation.

    Explore house designs

    Find a display location

    3. Preparation and documentation

    We will carry out pre-deposit property inspections and checks before confirming your knock down rebuild project can go ahead. The initial deposit is paid and we organise the initial soil report and contour survey.

    4. Confirm your build

    Confirm and review your land information and applicable site requirements, finalise any plan or design changes, pricing queries and façade selection. Colour selection for your new home and your tender appointment follow.

    5. Demolish your existing home

    You’ll need to remove your house prior to signing your building contract. Engage a demolition company and organise for them to obtain approval for the demolition. Arrange for power and gas to be disconnected. Post-demolition, confirm all required tasks are completed. See our Knock down and rebuild brochure for details.

    6. Get ready to build

    With demolition complete, we’ll carry out a final soil test and site inspection to ensure everything is set for construction. Once your contract is signed and approvals are in place, we’ll take it from here - bringing your new home to life with expert craftsmanship and care.

    5 things to consider before starting a knock down rebuild

    Our knockdown rebuild specialist Paul Pereira has helped countless homeowners through the process. Here are his top tips to help ensure a smooth and successful knock down rebuild journey.

    1. Block suitability.

    A flat, accessible block can mean less excavation and retaining required. "It also allows greater design flexibility for pools and alfresco areas," Paul says. If possible, avoid blocks near bus stops, busy roads, or sewer lines to minimise future complications.”

    2. Council regulations.

    Some councils enforce façade styles, setbacks, and neighbour privacy rules, which can impact your build. "If overlays apply - like flooding or character restrictions - you may need extra approvals, which can add time to your project," Paul explains. Check local planning requirements early to avoid delays.

    3. Site and demolition costs.

    Researching your site upfront can help prevent unexpected expenses. "Older properties may need plumbing or power upgrades, which can take months," says Paul. "Demolition costs also surprise many people - often ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 - so be sure to factor this into your budget.”

    4. Larger homes need upgraded services.

    Building a larger home? Make sure your utilities can handle the load. "A small stormwater system may not cope with an expanded home, and extra bathrooms or appliances might require sewage and power upgrades," Paul advises.

    5. Approvals can take time.

    "Demolition approvals, planning permits, and council relaxations can take anywhere from weeks to several months," Paul notes. Starting the process early can prevent frustrating delays.

    Our specialist knockdown rebuild team is across all the local regulations and requirements and can support you from site preparation throughout your entire build journey.

    Start fresh with your knock down rebuild project

    Ready to turn your existing home into a brand new, modern, 7-star energy efficient home with premium inclusions?

    As Queensland's leading new home builder Plantation Homes been leading exceptional and inspirational knock down rebuild projects in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast for over 25 years.

    We'll look after you throughout your entire knockdown rebuild journey. To get started, visit one of our Display Home locations across the south east including Rochedale, Labrador and Redland Bay or view our home designs.

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    Knock down rebuild FAQs

    If I’m looking for a block for a knock down and rebuild, what should I avoid?

    We completely understand that knock down rebuild blocks aren’t always the most ideal blocks! If we were to put together a perfect list we would say to avoid:

    • Busy roads: These often make it hard for deliveries to occur on site during the build.
    • Bus stops: Having a bus stop right outside may mean we aren’t able to build due to potential risks for pedestrians.
    • Too much fall: Ideally, we would love to build on a block that is flat or that falls slightly toward the street.
    • Trees: The presence of trees on a block will often increase the cost for engineering in the home.

    I have a slope on my block, does this matter for a knock down rebuild?

    "Many Brisbane blocks are sloping, which can complicate the building process," says new home consultant Archie Nyugen. "We like to assess every block of land individually as this will depend on a number of variables including the council you’re building in and your chosen home design."

    "Sloping blocks may require earthworks and retaining which is why an in-depth consultation with one of our experienced team members is always recommended. Come and talk to us at an early stage, as we can even help you find the perfect block for your favourite home."

    Plantation Homes can only build on blocks with a fall of up to 3m, using a "cut and scrape" approach to create a flat surface. We don’t offer spilt level designs.

    What is a contour survey and why is it needed?

    A contour survey or site survey is a map of your land that shows its natural features, levels and slopes. It provides information about topography, including elevation changes, which is essential for designing and constructing your new home.

    Archie explains: “We organise a contour survey early on to review the slope of the block and the location of trees, retaining walls and the existing house. This allows us to determine the earth works or foundation requirements to construct the new home. A second survey is completed after demolition.

    The land I purchased is near a sewer line, what does this mean for my build?

    Similar to sloping blocks, sewer and/or stormwater lines on a block of land require further investigation from our team of experts to see if there would be any impact to the building project.

    Your new home consultant will work with our council certifier and drafting / construction teams to ensure we can build your desired home design your block of land and calculate any potential additional costs with the information available to us. We always do this assessment upfront to ensure there are no surprises down the track!

    How much does it cost to knock down a house in Queensland?

    The cost to demolish your existing structure for a knockdown rebuild is often one of those unexpected surprises. Costs vary depending on the block and the home and are generally upwards of $20,000. We suggest getting a few quotes to consider.

    Do you offer demolition?

    We leave demolition to the experts! While we don’t offer this service as part of your building contract we have some recommendations we can pass on to make the process as smooth as possible. We’ll be here to help guide you on all the steps involved with this process including what you need to do and when you need to do it both pre and post demolition.

    What is the best way to fund a knockdown rebuild?

    Funding a knockdown rebuild can be done with either a construction loan or a regular home loan, depending on your situation. A construction loan provides funds in stages as your build progresses, while a regular home loan might work if you have enough equity. It’s a good idea to speak with your lender to figure out which option aligns best with your project and finances.

    When do I get my new home contract?

    Because we like to be as transparent with pricing as possible, it is necessary to remove your existing home from the block of land prior to your HIA contract, that way there will be no surprises and your contract price will be inclusive of all your site costs.