Why Victorians are looking to knockdown rebuild for their new home

For many Victorian upsizers, the next move may be a brand-new home on the very block they already know and love.

Across Melbourne’s established suburbs, the limited supply of quality family homes is narrowing options for those who need more space but want to stay close to schools, family, community and familiar routines.

A knockdown rebuild can make room for the next stage without uprooting the life already in place.

Anthony Garrubba, Burbank’s National General Manager – Marketing & Sales, says two questions are front of mind for families considering a knockdown rebuild: what will it cost, and how long will it take?

“They’re the questions buyers are thinking about – and they’re the questions they should be asking,” he says.

A knockdown rebuild offers a modern, high-quality home in the location that a homeowner already loves.

---

The case for staying put and building anew

Mr Garrubba says many of the customers coming to Burbank today have lived in the same home for six to 10 years or more, building equity as their family has grown – only to find the house no longer fits.

“They’re asking, do we sell and buy somewhere else, or do we stay here and build the home we now want?” Mr Garrubba says.

“More and more, we’re seeing families choose to stay.”

Others may have found the right block in an established suburb, even if the existing home is not the right fit.

For those who already own the block, rebuilding may avoid stamp duty and competing at auction for another established home, while preserving the value of place.

“They can stay in a location they love, keep the children at the same schools and remain close to family,” Mr Garrubba says.

Stay in the suburb you love, upgrade the way you live

When weighing up renovating, moving or rebuilding, there is no universal ‘right’ answer. Mr Garrubba says the best path depends on the site, as well as “personal preference and patience”.

While renovating can preserve treasured features, it may also bring complex approvals, the challenge of joining old and new structures, and the risk of overcapitalising without overcoming the limitations of the existing floorplan.

Living through construction requires patience too. Rebuilding can mean a longer wait and a temporary move, but can ultimately allow for fewer compromises.

A knockdown rebuild means a brand-new home on familiar ground, designed fresh for both the site and the evolving household.

Freed from the existing footprint, it can be positioned to improve orientation, create side access, open up more backyard and provide greater flexibility as needs change.

Mr Garrubba recalls one family who replaced an older two-bedroom, one-bathroom house with a double-storey home, generous backyard and pool.

“While it might have taken a little bit longer, their three children still go to the same school, and they’re still around the corner from their parents. It’s a wonderful family home,” he says.

From study nooks to extra bedrooms, a knockdown rebuild can help families makes sure their home is designed to meet their current and future needs.

---

How a knockdown rebuild works, step by step

The journey begins with feasibility: what the block, budget and planning controls will allow.

It then moves through design consultations, site reports, permits and approvals, demolition, construction and handover.

Every site brings its own variables, from access and underground services to trees, overlays and the slope of the land.

Mr Garrubba points to “fall and fill” as one detail buyers may not anticipate.

“A block can look level from the street and still have significant fall across it,” he says.

“Once the old house is removed, the site may require further preparation – whether that means levelling parts of the block, removing any existing retaining walls or bringing in compacted fill.”

That is why early investigation matters: time and cost cannot be answered responsibly without first understanding the property.

“It’s not the customer’s job to know all of that,” Mr Garrubba says.

“It’s our job to know that stuff and to guide the customer through it.”

Burbank runs rebuild seminars and uses a staged process to demystify the journey, including what must happen before construction begins.

“We want to give people clarity around the complexity, timeframe and, inevitably, the cost,” he says.

Working with an expert team like Burbank can help help homeowners understand exactly how to make their knockdown rebuild work for them.

---

From floorplans to finishes: Designing a home that actually fits your life

Once the practical groundwork is in place, attention turns to how the home will look, feel, and function.

Flexible floorplans, smarter storage, working-from-home zones, energy efficiency and stronger indoor-outdoor connections can bring greater ease to everyday life while supporting adaptability and long-term value.

Burbank’s established home designs can be adapted through layout, cabinetry and finishes to suit the household, block and budget.

“Everyone wants the home to reflect the particular way they live,” Mr Garrubba says.

“Our job is to help them reach that outcome while keeping the project aligned with their budget.”

With more than 40 years of experience, Burbank pairs the capability and stability of a major builder with the personal care of a family-owned business.

For Mr Garrubba, the reward of a knockdown rebuild is simple: “Families get the home they want, exactly where they want it – and that makes it worth the wait."