STAY IN THE PLACE YOU LOVE
Knockdown Rebuild Melbourne
Love your neighbourhood, but need a home that works better? A knockdown and rebuild gives you the opportunity to start again on your own block, with a layout designed around the way you live.
ODA Homes coordinates design, the approval process, demolition and construction of your new home. From the first discussion to handover, we help bring the decisions together so you can see what comes next.
At a glance: Keep your location. Rethink your layout. Plan the whole project before demolition.
This paired-home impression draws on an ODA Homes knockdown and rebuild project. Your own design starts with your site, your brief and the approvals that apply.
Is a knockdown and rebuild right for you?
The decision usually starts with what you want to keep. Sometimes it is the house itself. Sometimes it is the street, the neighbours and the short trip to school.
A fresh start may make sense
- The existing layout needs more than a few changes.
- You want to reconsider room sizes, orientation and access from the ground up.
- Major repairs and alterations would still leave compromises.
- You want a new home while staying on your current block.
Renovation may be the better fit
- You value the character and structure of your existing home.
- An extension could deliver the space you need.
- Planning or heritage controls limit demolition.
- Targeted changes can meet your brief without starting again.
Compare the full scope of both options before deciding. You can also explore our structural house extensions in Melbourne and our approach to new home builds.
A new home shaped around everyday life
A better floor plan is about more than adding bedrooms. It is the route from the garage with the shopping, a quiet room for work and a living area that gets the light when you use it.
Space that earns its place
Consider storage where you need it, comfortable circulation, private bedrooms and a kitchen connected to the way your household cooks and gathers.
Comfort from the beginning
Discuss orientation, shading, glazing, insulation and ventilation early. These decisions belong in the design, alongside the appearance of your home.
One coordinated process, from planning to your new home
ODA Homes coordinates demolition, design and approvals as well as construction. The sequence and timing are tailored to your project, rather than treating every block as the same.
01 / Brief and site review
We begin with your property, what is no longer working and what you want from the new home. Site access, boundaries, levels, services and planning constraints help shape the next steps.
02 / Design and scope
We coordinate the design process around your brief and budget. This is the time to resolve room relationships, materials and inclusions, and identify investigations or specialist advice the site needs.
03 / Approvals and preparation
ODA coordinates the approval process with the relevant consultants and authorities. Required permits, documentation and responsibilities need to be clear before the corresponding work starts.
04 / Demolition and site works
Demolition is coordinated once the required approvals and preparations are in place. Service disconnections, access, protection of neighbouring property and any identified hazardous materials need to be addressed.
05 / Construction
The new home takes shape through the agreed construction stages. Final selections, inspections and any changes are managed against the documented scope and contract.
06 / Completion and handover
Completion includes the agreed checks, required documentation and handover arrangements. For a new home, the occupancy permit is an important part of the completion process.
Understand your block before you commit
An existing house does not automatically mean you can demolish it and build whatever you like. Check the planning controls and site conditions early, before a design or budget becomes too fixed.
- Planning controls: zoning, overlays, neighbourhood requirements and any heritage protection.
- Title and boundaries: easements, restrictions and the location of services.
- Ground and access: soil conditions, slope, drainage and room for construction access.
- Existing buildings: demolition scope, shared structures and materials that need specialist assessment.
Planning permits and building permits serve different purposes. A heritage overlay can affect demolition and new construction; the approval pathway must be checked for your address. ODA coordinates the process, while permit decisions remain with the relevant authorities.
What affects knockdown and rebuild costs in Melbourne?
A useful budget needs to cover the whole project, not just the new house. The design, site conditions and level of finish all matter, but so do the costs of clearing the site and living elsewhere during the work.
Allow for the property and site
- Surveys, investigations, design and approvals
- Demolition, removal and any specialist material handling
- Service disconnections and new connections
- Excavation, foundations, drainage and access
Allow for the finished home
- Home size, structure and specification
- Kitchens, bathrooms, joinery and finishes
- Driveways, paths, fencing and landscaping
- Temporary accommodation, storage and a contingency
Compare inclusions, not just the headline price. Check what is fixed, what is an allowance and what is excluded. Plans, specifications and the agreed scope should support the contract.
For background on construction budgets, read our Melbourne custom home cost guide. The Consumer Affairs Victoria building contracts checklist is also useful when reviewing the details.
Your knockdown and rebuild questions
Can ODA Homes coordinate the whole knockdown and rebuild?
Yes. ODA Homes coordinates design, the approval process, demolition and construction of the new home. The agreed scope sets out the inclusions and responsibilities for your project.
How long does a knockdown and rebuild take?
There is no single timeframe that suits every property. Design decisions, approvals, demolition requirements, site conditions and the complexity of the new home all affect the programme. We discuss the stages and likely timing once the scope is clearer.
Can I live in the house while work takes place?
You will need to move out before demolition. Include temporary accommodation, moving and storage in your plans, and discuss the proposed programme before committing to those arrangements.
Can I replace one house with two homes?
It may be possible, but it is a separate site-specific design and planning question. Lot dimensions, access, zoning, overlays and other requirements influence what can be considered. The paired-home image on this page is not a guarantee of what can be approved on another block.
Is rebuilding always cheaper than renovating?
No. Compare complete project scopes and the outcome each option delivers. An extension may be enough; a rebuild may be worth considering when extensive changes still leave an unsuitable layout. Site investigations and a clear brief make the comparison more useful.
What should I bring to the first discussion?
Start with the property address, any existing plans, your main priorities and an indicative budget. Photos of the current home are helpful. If you already have a survey, concept design or planning advice, include those too.
Discuss your Melbourne project with ODA Homes
Tell us where you want to build, what you would like to change and what matters most in your new home. We can discuss the next steps for your property and the information needed to move forward.
Serving Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.
