While you may think that a KDR can be undertaken by most builders, this type of specialised building project requires a builder who’s highly experienced in this type of building project.

A specialised KDR builder will have years of experience, expertise, and intimate knowledge regarding all building processes, and council and government regulations you’ll need to abide by.
Their established KDR processes will take into account all demolition and rebuild considerations, and offer you a suite of home designs, inclusions and addons that can be tailored to your particular needs and budget.

A good initial check to undertake on a KDR builder is to run a check on their builder’s licence number. Once you obtain a builder’s licence number you can run a check with the relevant state body. This will provide you with further information and help identify any potential red flags such as any prior public warnings issued.

You can also inspect a builder’s showroom of previously completed KDR projects to get a good gauge of the type of craftsmanship they can deliver and whether they’re a good fit with your KDR design specifications.

The KDR process is highly dependent on particular site conditions and the chosen building design. As a general estimate a standard build will take 6 to 8 months, while a more customised build will usually take 8 to 10 months.

At Vogue Homes once we have conducted a thorough site assessment and you’ve deceived on your chosen home design, we’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate of completion time. This will ensure any additional demolition issues, and council / building regulation approvals are taken into account to minimise any potential delays.

Demolition needs to be organised by the owner and it’s important to factor in the time required for this process which can take up to 4 weeks to complete.

When finding a demolition contractor make sure they are licensed and insured and have the relevant experience to remove all the relevant materials, debris, and surrounding trees and roots.

Some key questions you can ask a demolition contractor include include:

• Can you provide a clearance certificate?
• Does your quote include the removal of underground services?
  • This includes gas, storm water, and electrical
• Have you done any previous demolitions in this area?
• If fill is required to be imported, can you provide a VENM OR ENM certificate?

Should you need it, here at Vogue Homes we can recommend trusted demolition contractors that we’ve previously worked with.

A lot of preparation work is required in order to prepare a site for a KDR. This generally involves the appropriate removal of building materials, trees and roots, and capping off the sewer, among many other required tasks.

In order to ensure the job is done correctly and fits within the timeline of the next steps of a KDR project, it’s recommended to engage and consult a builder before the demolition process commences.

Unless you have a large amount of capital at your disposal, the normal approach to finance a KDR project is to apply for a construction loan via a bank or mortgage lender.

The finance process for a construction loan works like a home loan but contains its own unique requirements. As a first step you’ll need to have at least a 20% deposit, although some lenders may require a lesser deposit, however this will incur lenders mortgage insurance.

While a home loan calculates your loan-to-value ratio based on your current home value, a construction loan calculates you loan-to-value ratio based on the lower of:

• The projected value of your new home once completed, or
• The value of your land plus the value of the building contract

In order to get further details and understand any relevant factors that may apply to your particular circumstances, it’s recommended to talk to a specialist mortgage lender. It’s also vital that you have all your finances sorted and pre-approval gained before embarking on your KDR journey.

KDRs costs can generally be broken down into two types of costs; demolition and rebuilding.

Demolition costs incorporate all costs associated with knocking down your existing home and will vary depending on the complexity of your property. Rebuilding costs are the main costs incurred during your build. They are dependent on the characteristics of your site and your personal preferences.

It’s important to note these types of costs are subjective and dependent on particular site conditions and council requirements. The best way to get a realistic estimate on a KDR is to speak to a trusted builder, who has years of experience and the specific expertise of working on KDR projects.

Knockdown Rebuilds by Vogue Homes Eliminate Unexpected Costs

Here at Vogue Homes we endeavour to give you an accurate cost estimate. We take the time upfront to know exactly what you need and what the unique requirements of your site are. We’ll give you a free comprehensive site appraisal and then work with you to give you a detailed cost quotation based on your building preferences.

While renovations might initially seem to be a cheaper option, it’s important to consider the full gambit of potential costs involved.

Knockdown Rebuilds Are Cost-Effective Solutions

If you’re considering making structural changes to an existing property, the costs involved can be quite substantial. The biggest risk with renovations is the potential for unexpected construction issues to be discovered throughout the renovation process. Issues such as inadequate wiring, leaky pipes, and the discovery of asbestos, can lead to over capitalising and incurring lengthy prolonged cost blowouts. It’s estimated that a major renovation can end up costing more than double per square metre when compared to a KDR.

A KDR on the other hand offers a more concise and cost effective building option. This type of building project doesn’t have as much uncertainty so it can be more accurately costed. Additionally since you’re starting with a clean slate, there’ll be no unexpected renovation costs, significantly reducing the possibility of budget blowouts and delays to work.

At Vogue Homes to get a true indication of KDR costs, you’ll be given a detailed and transparent price. With us there’ll be no unpleasant costs or surprises along the way, and we’ll keep you informed throughout the entire building journey.

Two common misunderstood and neglected factors associated with a KDR project are not factoring in the timing related to council approvals, and not taking into account any required temporary accommodation and storage costs.

Council approvals can be time consuming and expensive and should thus be taken care of at the beginning stages of a KDR process, even before starting the demolition of your current home. While planning/development permits are generally required to be assessed by councils within 60 days, due to the volume of applications and associated complexity, the average waiting time can far exceed this time period. As such, when planning your KDR building project you need to give adequate time for any council applications to be approved, and factor this into any expected timelines.

This is one area where going to a reputable builder can make all the difference. They have intimate knowledge regarding different council approval processes and are able to factor them into building timelines as part of their comprehensive KDR processes.

The other common mistake associated with a KDR is not thinking about any required temporary accommodation and storage costs. While most people factor in the requirement to secure alternative living arrangements while their home is being rebuilt, it’s easy to forget to include the associated storage costs for their existing furniture and other home contents.

As part of your KDR budget process, ensure you factor in both the costs of alternative living arrangements and storage costs for the duration of your build. This will help you to get a better picture of all associated costs and make sure you have the resources to cater for these types of expenses.

Vogue Homes is committed to providing the best customer service experience possible. We work together with every client right from our initial consultation to develop a personal connection. We’ll work out what works best and establish an open communication style, be it regular meetings, phone calls, emails, or whatever combination works best.

We’ll book regular meetings for project updates so you know exactly what’s happening on site and the upcoming schedule ahead of time. We’ll work hard to create a comfortable environment where your needs come first and you can raise any concern you may have.

Particularly since a KDR involves a lot more distinct stages between demolition and construction, this open and continual communication style will work to everyone’s benefit.

We’re committed to keeping you up-to-date with everything that’s happening. That means we can organise accompanied site visits during construction.

These site visits will provide you with an opportunity to see the progress that’s been made and ask any additional questions. With safety in mind, these visits will be in adherence to our strict safety policy for all visitors on site.

One of our core design principles is to build sustainable environmentally friendly homes capable of having a low carbon footprint.

During the design phase we implement strategies to maximise the utilisation of your block features, and can provide expert advice about how to incorporate; energy efficient design, sustainable building materials, insulation, solar technology, and other environmentally friendly features throughout your build.

Vogue Homes – Sydney’s Leading Knock Down Rebuild Specialist