Knockdown-Rebuild on the Gold Coast: What It Involves, What It Costs and How Long It Takes
A luxury knockdown-rebuild on the Gold Coast usually takes 12–16 months from demolition to handover, after 3–6 months of design and approvals that can happen while you're still living in the old house. Allow around $45,000 for demolition and asbestos removal on a typical site, on top of the new build. Hampton Homes has completed around 30 knockdown-rebuilds across South East Queensland.
Why knock down instead of moving?
Many of our clients already own the right block — the street, the school catchment, the view — but the house no longer suits how they live. Rebuilding keeps the location and gives you a home designed from scratch, rather than compromising on an older floor plan.
The process, step by step
Site assessment and searches. We check zoning, overlays (flood, overland flow, bushfire, heritage or character protection), sewer and stormwater connection points, and whether the existing house or trees are protected. These searches decide early whether a town planner or other consultant is needed.
Surveys and soil test. A contour and detail survey and a geotechnical (soil) report set the levels and footing design for the new home.
Design and approvals (3–6 months). Our in-house design team works with you on concept, design development, final design and a full schedule of finishes. You can walk through the home in 3D before it's built. You stay in the existing house during this stage.
Disconnection and demolition approval. Services are disconnected and demolition is approved before any machine arrives on site.
Asbestos removal. Many Gold Coast homes built before 1990 contain asbestos. It is removed by a licensed removalist before demolition, and clearance is confirmed.
Demolition and site preparation. The old house is removed and the site is prepared to the new levels.
Construction (typically 10–14 months on site), then handover.
From demolition to handover is typically 12–16 months, depending on the design and site.
What it costs
Demolition and asbestos removal: allow around $45,000 for a typical site. Larger homes, difficult access, more asbestos or extra site work can increase this.
The new home: for architecturally designed custom homes we recommend a starting budget of $7,500–$9,100 per m² for a luxury lowset (single-level) home and $7,800–$9,800 per m² for a highset (two-level) home. Steel framing adds about 10%. Rates include GST and exclude land, demolition, pools and landscaping.
Rent while you build: budget for 12–16 months of alternative accommodation.
We price under a transparent Cost Plus model: you see the actual construction costs, and we charge a clearly agreed builder's margin.
Current project: Guanaba
A knockdown-rebuild on acreage in Guanaba in the Gold Coast hinterland, now under construction and due for completion in 2027: a contemporary three-level residence of around 1,600 m² with a basement, lift and fire stair. Being a rural site, it also needed a new on-site wastewater system, rainwater tanks, a dedicated firefighting water tank and a large rooftop solar array.
Questions to ask before you knock down
Is the existing house or any vegetation protected?
Is the site affected by flood, overland flow or bushfire overlays?
Has the house been tested for asbestos?
Where does stormwater legally discharge, and is sewer available?
How long will you need to rent for?
Thinking about a knockdown-rebuild? Hampton Homes has been building on the Gold Coast since 1987 (QBCC licence 1 259 278). Call (07) 5525 0722 or see our FAQ page.
