Thinking about transforming your home but stuck on whether to renovate the place you love or knock it down and start fresh? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions Australian builders get asked, and the answer is rarely as simple as homeowners hope.
In this episode, Paul Kennedy from Independent Building Solutions (Canberra) sits down with Hugh from New Realm Homes (Melbourne) to unpack the renovation vs knockdown rebuild debate. They share the real factors that decide which option stacks up, including a surprising case study where a 16-year-old home was cheaper to demolish and rebuild than extend.
If you’re a homeowner weighing up your next big move, this conversation will save you from costly assumptions before you even pick up the phone to a builder.
In this episode they cover:
– Why “what stacks up better” is the wrong first question to ask
– The real-life example of a 16-year-old home where a knockdown rebuild beat a $900,000 second-storey extension on cost
– How the condition and structural integrity of your existing home shapes the decision
– Why emotional attachment, block size, and established suburbs matter more than people think
– The hidden compliance costs of renovating older homes (think 7-star energy ratings, switchboard upgrades, plumbing valves)
Key Timestamps
02:03 Why “what stacks up” is the wrong first question
03:40 The 16-year-old home that was cheaper to knock down than extend
04:44 Emotional attachment, block size, and the hidden factors that matter
06:14 Why a $500 to $1,000 feasibility study is worth every cent
08:03 Real cost ranges: Renovation vs extension vs knockdown rebuild
09:01 The 7-star energy rating trap for older homes
15:01 Hidden knockdown rebuild costs: Asbestos, approvals, and double-up fees
Listen on
Spotify// https://open.spotify.com/show/0eGpiuFZidHdOcFunXPo4q
Apple Podcast// https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/builders-beyond-borders/id1841312899
Youtube// https://www.youtube.com/@BuildersBeyondBordersPodcast
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Looking for a builder?
Perway Construction Services in Western Australia – https://www.perway.com.au
DJH Builders in Tasmania – https://djhbuilders.com.au
New Realm Homes in Victoria – https://newrealmhomes.com.au
Independent Building Solutions in Canberra – https://www.ibscanberra.com.au
Matt Auld Builder in Victoria – https://mabuilder.com.au
Wayne Prestone in Victoria – https://prestonbuilders.com.au
