What’s involved in a knockdown rebuild?

Knockdown rebuilds have gained popularity throughout Geelong and the Surf Coast region, appealing to clients who have invested years in nurturing connections with their neighbours and their local community so they want to continue living at this same address. However, as their families grow, their current home is lacking space, functionality or efficiency. Often, these ageing properties demand extensive maintenance, lack energy efficiency, and result in exorbitant expenses to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the seasons.

So, what’s involved in knocking down the old home and building a new one? This article lays out each step in a Hamlan knockdown rebuild, from site assessment to building your new home, so you can understand exactly what the process entails.

1. Site Assessment
   

   The first step in the process of a knockdown rebuild is to assess the site. Our new home consultants will use online tools, site visits and conversations with you to review your land and plans for demolition. We investigate the soil, drainage and slope of the site, any height restrictions, the surrounding environment, and services connections (existing and proposed). We’ll also carry out a planning assessment (if applicable).

2. Design Phase
   

   In this phase, Hamlan will work with you to find the perfect design. Options include choosing one of our existing plans and façades (the most straightforward and economical option) or we can start from scratch and design a custom home. Either way, we’ll look at every aspect of your new home – orientation, floorplan, materials and finishes, energy efficiency and more – to ensure it is tailored to your needs, lifestyle and budget.

   

3. Planning Process
   

   Hamlan can handle the whole planning process – all the way through to endorsement. With 40 years’ experience of designing and building homes across Geelong, we’re experts in working through this process and will support you the whole way through. After completing the design of your new home, we then apply for planning approval (if applicable). This is the stage where all the technical details of your project must be agreed upon and submitted to the relevant governing bodies. As every block is different, we will run you through what is stated within the planning permit and ensure all conditions are met. Hamlan is ideally placed to look after this stage of the process without any hiccups.

4. Contract Signing and Permit Application
   

   Once all the paperwork is completed including your contract, we can then apply for your building and demolition permit. You will need to organise for the services to be abolished and you’ll need to move out of your home into temporary accommodation while the hard work happens. It’s worth noting that sometimes the abolishment of services can take up to six weeks, so if you’re in a position to move out of your home earlier and organise this sooner, this may reduce any delay progressing to the next stages of the process.

5. Demolition
   

   We then arrange for the demolition of your existing home through an experienced demolition contractor. They will advise on the best way to demolish the existing home and ensure it is done safely and efficiently.

   

6. Building Your New Home

   Once the old building has been demolished, we begin to build your dream home!
   There are five stages to the construction process:

   • Base Stage: All of the stages within construction are vital but there’s no room for error when laying the foundations of a home. Our team of trades prepare the concrete slab by boxing out the house plan according to the structural plans of the home. An independent building surveyor then visits the site to check that the footings are the same as our working drawings and meets the engineering supplied in our contract. Once we get the approval and an inspection certificate from the building surveyor, we pour your slab.

   

   • Frame Stage: Once your slab has been approved, we begin building the home’s frame. Once the frame is completed, the building surveyor returns to check the frame meets the building code.

   

   • Lockup Stage: This stage might be one of the more exciting stages — as you’ll really be able to see your home come to life! Once the lock up stage is complete your home’s external wall cladding and roof cover will be fixed, the flooring will be laid and the external doors and windows are fixed (even if those doors and windows are temporary). This means your home can be safely secured while the internal and external work by tradespeople is completed.

   

   • Fixing stage: This is when the tradespeople come in and start working on some of the finer details of your home. At this stage, internal cladding, architraves, skirting, doors, built-in shelves, tiling, baths, basins, troughs, sinks, cabinets and cupboards of a home are fitted and fixed in position.

   • Completion: On completion of your new home you will attend a pre-handover, where you will walk through the home with your site manager to check the finish of the home. If there’s anything you need to query, this is your chance to get it addressed before the official handover. Once we get the certificate of occupancy, it’s time for your handover!

   

7. Move In

   At last – your dream home is ready for you to move into! This is the most exciting day of the entire process. All you need to do is move in and enjoy your new home for years to come.

   

2023 marks a special year for Hamlan – it’s our 40th year of building stunning homes for families in Greater Geelong, and of drawing inspiration from the breathtaking Surf Coast landscape we’re proud to call home. Over that time, we’re proud to have forged an ironclad reputation for quality, dedication, and an unrivalled passion for building homes that raise families, make memories, and celebrate style. We’d love to help you build your dream home: to start the conversation, get in touch today.