Knockdown Rebuild Sydney
Demolish the existing home and build new on your established lot. Full project management from asbestos inspection and DA through demolition and construction to occupation certificate.
Request a QuoteState Property Development manages knockdown rebuilds across Greater Sydney. NSW Builders Licence 355555C. $20M public liability. A knockdown rebuild — demolish the existing house and build a new one on the same lot — is usually chosen when a property’s location is sound but the existing structure isn’t worth renovating. The land value is kept, the house is replaced.
It’s a two-stage construction project that requires coordination between demolition contractors, asbestos assessors, building designers, engineers, certifiers, and builders. We manage all of it under one contract. You deal with Jay, not six separate contractors who point at each other when something doesn’t line up.
The Process — Step by Step
- Site assessment: zoning, floor area ratio, current DA conditions, any heritage or flood overlays that affect what can be built
- Asbestos inspection: mandatory for pre-2004 homes under NSW WHS Regulation 2017, by a licensed asbestos assessor
- Design and approval: DA or CDC for the new dwelling; demolition approval included
- Asbestos removal: Class B or Class A licensed removalist where identified
- Demolition: 2–4 weeks for a standard Sydney home
- New home construction: 28–40 weeks depending on size and specification
- Occupation certificate: issued by building certifier, required before moving in
Cost — Sydney 2026
- Demolition: $15,000–$35,000 (asbestos removal additional if required)
- New home construction: $2,000–$4,000/sqm. 200sqm home: $400,000–$800,000
- Total project (demolition + new build): typically $450,000–$900,000 for most Sydney sites
- Design, DA, engineering, certifier fees: $30,000–$80,000 additional
Asbestos — What You Need to Know
Any home built before 2004 must have an asbestos survey before demolition work begins. This is not optional — it’s required under the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. Friable asbestos (can be crumbled by hand) requires a Class A licensed removalist. Non-friable (bonded) asbestos requires at minimum a Class B removalist. We arrange the asbestos inspection as part of the pre-demolition process and will not allow demolition to proceed without a clearance certificate.
→ Knockdown rebuild vs renovation — which makes more sense for your property?
Knockdown Rebuild FAQs
Total project cost typically $450,000–$900,000 for a Greater Sydney site. Demolition: $15,000–$35,000. New home construction: $2,000–$4,000/sqm (200sqm home = $400,000–$800,000 in construction). Design, DA, engineering, and certifier fees add $30,000–$80,000. Asbestos removal is an additional variable cost.
12–18 months total from project start to occupation certificate. Design: 8–16 weeks. DA approval: 3–6 months at most Sydney councils. Demolition: 2–4 weeks. New home construction: 28–40 weeks. We give you a realistic programme before contract so you know what you’re committing to.
Yes — mandatory under NSW WHS Regulation 2017 for any building constructed before 2004. A licensed asbestos assessor must inspect before demolition starts. Friable asbestos requires a Class A removalist. Non-friable requires Class B minimum. We arrange the inspection and will not allow demolition without clearance.
Yes. Demolition and new home construction both require approval. A CDC (10–20 days via private certifier) covers both if the new dwelling meets NSW Housing Code standards. A DA (3–6 months at council) is required if the site doesn’t qualify for CDC — common on smaller or irregular lots. We check your site first.
It depends on the existing structure. If the home has extensive asbestos, significant structural issues, a layout that doesn’t respond to renovation, or if the renovation scope exceeds 60% of the rebuild cost — a knockdown rebuild is often more cost-effective and produces a better result. If the structure is sound and the layout can be improved with extensions, major renovation is often better value. We’ll give you an honest assessment of both options. See our full comparison guide.
Knockdown Rebuild Enquiry — Sydney
Full project management — asbestos, demolition, DA, and new build. NSW Licence 355555C. $20M public liability.