Knock down rebuild in Geelong
Stay in the Geelong location you love. Knock down and rebuild the home you want.
If your existing home has served you well but no longer works for how you live, a knockdown rebuild means you don’t have to leave the street, the neighbours, or the location you’ve built a life around. A knockdown rebuild involves demolishing the old house and building a new one in its place, designed properly for your family now, not for how the block was built decades ago.
Hamlan has been building in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast since 1983, and knockdown rebuild projects are a regular part of what we do.
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Knock down and rebuild vs renovating or moving
Weighing up a rebuild against renovating or moving is a big decision making process. Here’s what to consider:
- You keep the location. You stay on the same block, no competing for land, no packing up the street you already know.
It’s often more cost-effective than a major renovation. Older homes can need extensive structural work to bring them up to standard, a rebuild starts fresh instead. - You avoid paying stamp duty again. Because you already own the land, a knockdown rebuild avoids the stamp duty you’d pay when purchasing a different property outright.
- It can boost your property’s value. Replacing an ageing house with a new home can significantly lift your property’s market value.
- You get a home built to current standards, with less upkeep. Modern construction methods mean lower maintenance over time, and every Hamlan home meets current energy efficiency requirements as standard, including solar and battery.
- You can use one of our floorplans, or start from scratch. Some clients choose an existing Hamlan floorplan and adjust it to suit their block. Others prefer a fully custom design. Either way, our team will talk you through what fits your site and budget.
The knock down rebuild process
1. Assess your block
We assess the existing property, site conditions, orientation and requirements for the new home.
2. Choose or design your dream home
Start with a Hamlan floorplan or work with the team on a custom design suited to your block.
3. Planning and approvals
We coordinate the required applications, permits and approvals before demolition.
4. Demolition and site preparation
The existing structure is demolished and the site prepared for construction.
5. Build your new home
Construction begins, with your site manager providing updates throughout the build.
6. Handover
Once construction is complete, your new home is ready for you to move in.
We also work across the Bellarine, Colac and the Western Districts, if you're not sure whether your area applies, get in touch and we'll let you know.
Choose Hamlan as your knockdown rebuild specialist
When you embark on your knockdown rebuild journey, choosing the right partner is crucial. At Hamlan, we are knockdown rebuild builders with decades of experience helping Geelong families transform their existing house into modern, energy-efficient homes.
Our locally-owned business has been part of the Geelong community since 1983, and we take pride in guiding you through the whole process, from the initial consultation to the moment you step into your brand-new home.
You’ll have one dedicated new home consultant from your first conversation through to handover, and a site manager who gives you regular updates once construction starts. We handle the demolition coordination, permits and council approvals so you’re not managing multiple contractors yourself.
“We were amazed by the level of service, courtesy and professionalism from the entire team at Hamlan.” – Jon and Nicky, Anglesea.
Read their knockdown rebuild story
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Frequently Asked Questions - Knockdown and rebuild
Cost depends on your home’s size, site conditions and level of customisation. Demolition, permits, temporary accommodation and site preparation (like asbestos removal on older homes) all factor in. For many homeowners, a rebuild ends up more cost-effective than a major renovation once hidden structural issues are accounted for. We’ll walk you through a clear budget upfront.
Yes, in most cases. You’ll typically need a demolition permit, and depending on your property’s zoning or any overlays, heritage, coastal, vegetation, a planning permit as well. We manage the council process for you from application through to approval.
Construction generally takes around 9 months once building starts, with planning, permits and demolition adding roughly 6 months before that. Timelines can shift depending on council requirements, service disconnections and site conditions, your consultant will keep you updated at each stage.
Both are options. Many clients start with an existing Hamlan floorplan and adjust it to fit their block and lifestyle. If you’d prefer something built entirely from scratch, our team can design a custom home instead, see our custom build page for more detail.
We do. Hamlan coordinates demolition through trusted local contractors and manages the timeline so it transitions smoothly into construction. If you’d prefer to arrange your own demolition, we can still coordinate around it.
Services need to be disconnected before demolition, which can take up to six weeks to arrange, so we recommend starting that process early. You’ll need temporary accommodation while construction is underway, and we reconnect everything before handover.
Across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast, Colac and the Western Districts. If you’re unsure whether your property falls within our building area, contact us and we can confirm.
Every block is different, which is why site assessment is such an important part of the knock down rebuild process.
Factors such as slope, orientation, frontage, overlays, neighbouring properties, drainage, and other site conditions all influence what design will work best. The goal is to create a home that complements your land while maintaining strong functionality, energy efficiency, and structural integrity.
At Hamlan Homes, our consultants assess your block and help you select or customise a design that aligns with your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals.
Yes. Before moving forward, we conduct a detailed site assessment to determine whether your property is suitable for a rebuild.
This includes reviewing land size, slope, drainage, soil conditions, overlays, easements, access, and any relevant council requirements or local regulations. We also assess how your new home can best work with the block to improve functionality and maximise space.
Our team can then provide expert advice on suitable design options and guide you through the next stages of the step by step process.
Hamlan Homes offers a complete knockdown rebuild service designed to simplify the process from start to finish.
Our service includes initial consultation, site assessment, design selection or customisation, planning support, demolition coordination, permit applications, and full construction management. We also assist with navigating council permits, approvals, and other important project requirements.
Every client is supported by a dedicated consultant and experienced site manager throughout the entire build journey, ensuring clear communication and personalised service from concept to completion.
All Hamlan knockdown rebuild homes are built to modern energy efficiency standards, including a minimum 7-Star Energy Efficiency rating, along with features such as solar panels, battery, and double glazed windows and doors as standard inclusions.
