Knock Down Rebuild on the Gold Coast: The Steps in Order

Staying on the land you love and building something new can be better than selling up. The trouble is that a knock down rebuild has many moving parts, and doing them out of order is where the delays creep in. This is the usual sequence.

1. Check what you can build

Before you pay for anything, look at your property on the City of Gold Coast's City Plan mapping. Look for flood, coastal or vegetation overlays, easements and sewer lines through the block. A builder or town planner can tell you what they mean for your design.

2. Sort out your finance

Talk to your lender about how they treat a knock down rebuild. Construction loans usually release money in stages, and the old house going means the property value changes during the build. Ask how demolition costs fit into the loan.

3. Choose your builder and design

Get your builder's site handover requirements in writing. This list drives the demolition scope, including which trees stay, whether the driveway stays and what level the block needs.

4. Check for asbestos

If the home was built before 1990, have it checked now. Knowing early avoids a surprise cost once the job is booked. See our asbestos removal page for how this is handled.

5. Get demolition quotes

Now you can ask for accurate quotes, because you can tell the contractor what you need. Compare the written scopes. Our contractor checklist has the questions to ask.

6. Approvals

Demolition generally needs a building approval through a private certifier, separate from your new home's approval. Your contractor or builder can usually help arrange it.

7. Move out and disconnect

Once you have a date, line up your move, redirect your mail and arrange for electricity, gas, water and sewer disconnections. Allow lead time, because the utilities work to their own schedules and can hold up the start.

8. Demolition

Asbestos comes out first, followed by the main demolition and site clean-up. For a typical home, this part is often the fastest stage in the entire project.

9. Handover to your builder

Walk the site with your builder and the demolition contractor if you can. Make sure the block matches what was agreed, then the new slab can begin.

Have a date in mind? Tell us about your block and a local contractor will be in touch.