Why homeowners are rebuilding instead of renovating

It’s a common dilemma for homeowners and buyers – the suburb is right, the street is right, the neighbours and schools are great – but the house is no longer fit for purpose.

It could be that the bedrooms are too small, there’s a lack of storage, energy efficiency is poor, or the house has simply seen better days.

While moving is one solution, a desire to stay in the area can rule this out. A second option could be to renovate, which has various pros and cons. A third idea gaining popularity is to knock the old house down and quite simply build anew.

“People don't realise how easy it is to have an old house demolished and removed – it’s a simple thing to do, it’s done in a day,” says James Stroud, Founder of Stroud Homes.

“I often jokingly say the most important part is to make sure we get the address absolutely right!”

Building a new house in the suburb they already love is becoming a more appealing move for homeowners.

---

Weighing up renovating versus rebuilding

Even though rebuilding can be a surprisingly straightforward process, renovation can often be seen as the safer or more sentimental choice.

However, Mr Stroud says renovation could lead to a result that doesn’t look or feel ‘seamless’ front to back.

“Renovations always involve a joining between the old building and the new, so there’s always a compromise on design,” he says.

Another factor to weigh up is energy efficiency. With renovation, Mr Stroud says you can end up with half a home with poor energy efficiency and half that is best practice.

“You see some of these beautiful renovation jobs in the inner city of Brisbane, but underneath the skin of the house is old technology,” he says.

“The old windows are thin and noisy; the insulation is out of date. With a new build, you can have a truly comfortable, energy efficient home.”

There are also cost factors to consider, with renovations renowned for blowing the budget as unexpected issues are found along the way.

“The costs are much more predictable with a new home builder than in a renovation scenario,” Mr Stroud says.

Choosing to rebuild a new home, instead of renovating an old one, can be a more practical option.

---

Embracing local nature and neighbours

Mr Stroud points out that rebuilding doesn’t mean sacrificing the history of a site.

For example, one benefit is that you can work your new home design around existing tall trees, if suitable.

“It takes a generation to grow trees, but if you enter an established suburb, knock down the worst house but keep the long-standing trees – it could be a beautiful Morton Bay Fig or an Oak tree – to me that’s the ideal scenario,” Mr Stroud says.

Rebuilding is also a chance to either stay within your existing community or move into one that’s well established, complete with all the infrastructure you need.

“When you build in an established area, your neighbours will drop in with some banana bread when you’re finished. You’ll already feel right at home,” he says.

A knock-down rebuild project can help preserve the character and charm of the existing site.

---

Getting ready for a knock-down rebuild

For homeowners leaning towards a knock-down rebuild, Mr Stroud says the first step is to meet with a reputable builder to discuss the site’s suitability.

He adds that Stroud Homes is a builder with a national footprint yet local branches, and years of experience delivering knock-down rebuilds that perfectly complement their environments.

“We will have our demolition contractor come and do the knock down and ensure materials are handled carefully,” he says.

“It might just add one week to the whole build timeline. When the job is done, we’re presented with a nice flat site to build on.”

From there, Mr Stroud says the team gets on with the usual build process – finding the right design for the land, budget and family needs, and getting council approval.

He says the local knowledge of Stroud Homes can help to make this process as seamless as possible.

“You can end up in a street you love; you can settle into a well-established neighbourhood, enjoy existing trees and live your best life in your brand new, energy efficient home,” he says.