How Much Does a Knockdown Rebuild Cost in NSW? (2026 Guide)
What a knockdown rebuild costs in NSW
The new home typically costs $2,000–$3,800 per square metre to build, set mostly by the finish level, so a 240 m² home at a mid-range finish costs about $576,000–$672,000. Site works, fees, council and state charges, connections, landscaping and a 10–15% contingency take the same home to about $765,000–$1,020,000 all-in. Demolition and asbestos are priced after an inspection. You keep the land, so there is no land cost and no stamp duty.
- $2,000–$3,800per m², construction only
- $576k–$672kto build 240 m², mid-range
- $765k–$1.02Mall-in, worked example
- 10–15%contingency to hold back
Free site assessment with the builder. Demolition, approvals and build in one fixed-price contract. NSW contractor licence 258735C.
By Keiron Moore, Director of CKS Projects, with 25+ years building on the South Coast. Updated October 2026.
Important Disclaimer:
“This article is general guidance, not an exact price guide, guaranteed returns, or a substitute for professional advice or a formal quote. Construction costs, rental yields, and capital growth examples reflect 2025 conditions and will vary with site constraints, design, materials, and market movements. Speak with a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions. For accurate estimates and design recommendations for your site, contact CKS Projects. We’ll provide a comprehensive consultation and a formal quote tailored to your Wollongong knockdown rebuild.”
Government charges are as published at the date shown and change over time.
Estimate your rebuild in three clicks
Choose the size of the new home, the finish and your block. The range uses CKS Projects' guide figures and Wollongong's current council and state charges.
180 m² · Basic · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$525,000 – $740,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $360,000 – $432,000
- Before contingency
- $475,000 – $640,000
180 m² · Basic · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$560,000 – $795,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $360,000 – $432,000
- Before contingency
- $505,000 – $690,000
180 m² · Basic · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$615,000 – $890,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $360,000 – $432,000
- Before contingency
- $560,000 – $770,000
180 m² · Mid-range · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$605,000 – $825,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $432,000 – $504,000
- Before contingency
- $550,000 – $715,000
180 m² · Mid-range · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$635,000 – $880,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $432,000 – $504,000
- Before contingency
- $580,000 – $765,000
180 m² · Mid-range · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$695,000 – $970,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $432,000 – $504,000
- Before contingency
- $630,000 – $845,000
180 m² · Premium · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$725,000 – $1,030,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $540,000 – $684,000
- Before contingency
- $655,000 – $900,000
180 m² · Premium · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$755,000 – $1,090,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $540,000 – $684,000
- Before contingency
- $685,000 – $950,000
180 m² · Premium · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$815,000 – $1,180,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $540,000 – $684,000
- Before contingency
- $740,000 – $1,030,000
240 m² · Basic · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$655,000 – $905,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $480,000 – $576,000
- Before contingency
- $595,000 – $790,000
240 m² · Basic · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$690,000 – $965,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $480,000 – $576,000
- Before contingency
- $625,000 – $840,000
240 m² · Basic · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$750,000 – $1,055,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $480,000 – $576,000
- Before contingency
- $680,000 – $920,000
240 m² · Mid-range · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$765,000 – $1,020,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $576,000 – $672,000
- Before contingency
- $695,000 – $885,000
240 m² · Mid-range · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$795,000 – $1,075,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $576,000 – $672,000
- Before contingency
- $725,000 – $935,000
240 m² · Mid-range · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$855,000 – $1,170,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $576,000 – $672,000
- Before contingency
- $775,000 – $1,015,000
240 m² · Premium · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$920,000 – $1,300,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $912,000
- Before contingency
- $840,000 – $1,130,000
240 m² · Premium · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$955,000 – $1,355,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $912,000
- Before contingency
- $870,000 – $1,180,000
240 m² · Premium · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$1,015,000 – $1,445,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $912,000
- Before contingency
- $920,000 – $1,260,000
300 m² · Basic · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$790,000 – $1,075,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $600,000 – $720,000
- Before contingency
- $720,000 – $935,000
300 m² · Basic · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$820,000 – $1,130,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $600,000 – $720,000
- Before contingency
- $750,000 – $985,000
300 m² · Basic · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$880,000 – $1,225,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $600,000 – $720,000
- Before contingency
- $800,000 – $1,065,000
300 m² · Mid-range · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$920,000 – $1,215,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $840,000
- Before contingency
- $840,000 – $1,055,000
300 m² · Mid-range · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$955,000 – $1,270,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $840,000
- Before contingency
- $870,000 – $1,105,000
300 m² · Mid-range · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$1,015,000 – $1,365,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $720,000 – $840,000
- Before contingency
- $920,000 – $1,185,000
300 m² · Premium · Flat (CDC pathway assumed)
$1,120,000 – $1,565,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $900,000 – $1,140,000
- Before contingency
- $1,020,000 – $1,360,000
300 m² · Premium · Moderate slope (CDC pathway assumed)
$1,155,000 – $1,620,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $900,000 – $1,140,000
- Before contingency
- $1,050,000 – $1,410,000
300 m² · Premium · Steep slope (DA pathway assumed)
$1,210,000 – $1,715,000
All-in, with a 10–15% contingency. You already own the land.
- Construction
- $900,000 – $1,140,000
- Before contingency
- $1,100,000 – $1,490,000
Indicative only, not a quote. Includes site works, a geotechnical report, design and professional fees, approvals, Wollongong's s7.12 contribution (nil to 1%), water and sewer connections, the Long Service Levy and landscaping. Excludes demolition and asbestos removal (priced after inspection), temporary accommodation, removalists and finance costs.
What a rebuild costs that a vacant block doesn't
Building on land you already own saves the land and the duty. In return, the old house has to come off the block safely and legally first.
- Demolition: priced after an inspection. A single-storey fibro house is a different job from a two-storey brick home with a pool. It covers licensed demolition, waste disposal and site clean-up.
- Asbestos: a qualified inspector assesses the house first, so removal becomes a defined cost rather than an open one. A licensed removalist must remove any friable asbestos and any bonded asbestos over 10 square metres. Demolition proceeds only after a clearance certificate.
- Services: power, water, sewer and gas are disconnected before demolition and reconnected for the new home. These take time to book, so they are scheduled early.
- Somewhere to live: once demolition starts the site is not habitable until handover. Budget rent, removalists and storage for the build period.
- No stamp duty: no property changes hands, so no transfer duty applies. You still pay council rates on the land.
Asbestos rules: SafeWork NSW. Paying for it: knockdown rebuild finance options.
What does the new home cost per square metre?
Once the block is clear, the new home is priced like any other build. The finish level sets most of the rate.
| Finish level | What you get | Per m² | 240 m² home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Laminate benchtops, carpet, standard fixtures | $2,000–$2,400 | $480,000–$576,000 |
| Mid-range | Stone benchtops, hybrid floors, quality fixtures | $2,400–$2,800 | $576,000–$672,000 |
| Premium | High-end finishes throughout | $3,000–$3,800 | $720,000–$912,000 |
Complex shapes, multiple roof lines and extensive glazing add 15–25% to construction. Every corner, roof valley and level change has a price.
A full knockdown rebuild budget, line by line
Here is a complete budget for replacing a single-storey brick house with a 240 m² single home at a mid-range finish, on a flat block in Wollongong, approved as complying development (CDC).
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Construction: 240 m² at $2,400–$2,800 per m² (mid-range) | $576,000 | $672,000 |
| Site preparation, flat block | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Geotechnical report | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Design and professional fees: architect, engineers, certifier, surveyor | $40,000 | $75,000 |
| Approval: CDC for demolition and the new home, plus occupation certificate | $4,500 | $7,500 |
| Council contribution, Wollongong s7.12 (nil if exempt, otherwise 1%) | $0 | $6,720 |
| Water and sewer connections | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Long Service Levy, 0.25% of construction | $1,440 | $1,680 |
| Landscaping, driveways and fencing | $40,000 | $70,000 |
| Subtotal | $695,000 | $885,000 |
| Contingency, 10% (low) to 15% (high) | $70,000 | $135,000 |
| All-in (you already own the land) | $765,000 | $1,020,000 |
The council and NSW charges on a knockdown rebuild
These are set by the NSW Government or your council, not by the builder. Budget for them from day one.
Council contributions
Wollongong's City-Wide Development Contributions Plan (in force from 31 August 2026) levies nil up to $100,000, 0.5% from $100,000 to $200,000 and 1% above $200,000 of the cost of development. It cannot be levied on a single dwelling where a s7.11 contribution was paid at subdivision and demand does not increase, so many one-for-one rebuilds pay nothing. Ask council for an estimate. Other councils have their own plans.
Long Service Levy
0.25% of the cost of building work of $250,000 or more, GST included. It must be paid before your CDC or construction certificate is released. On a $650,000 build it is $1,625.
Housing and Productivity Contribution
Charged on residential subdivision and medium- and high-density housing in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven and other HPC regions. The rate tables do not list a single dwelling house. Knock down and build a duplex, and it applies to one net new dwelling: $6,761.42 in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven (1 October 2026, indexed quarterly).
BASIX
Every new home in NSW needs a BASIX certificate for energy, water and thermal performance. The commitments you make, such as glazing, insulation and water tanks, flow into the build cost.
Asbestos removal
Regulated work. A Class A licensed removalist must remove friable asbestos, and more than 10 square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos needs a Class B or Class A licensed removalist. Waste goes to a licensed facility.
Home building compensation cover
Your builder must take out home building compensation (HBC) cover for residential work over $20,000. A rebuild is a new home, so the statutory warranties cover the whole house: 6 years for major defects and 2 years for other defects.
Sources: Wollongong City Council, City-Wide Development Contributions Plan; NSW Government, Long Service Levy; NSW Planning, Housing and Productivity Contribution; NSW Planning Portal, BASIX; SafeWork NSW, asbestos; SIRA, HBC.
Site costs: slope, rock, soil and access
The old house may have sat on a flat pad, but the new one is engineered for the block as it really is. A geotechnical report costs $1,500–$2,500, and it is the cheapest insurance you will buy.
- Flat block: $10,000–$20,000 for levelling and service trenches.
- Moderate slope: $40,000–$70,000 for cut and fill, retaining walls and drainage.
- Steep or escarpment block: $80,000–$120,000 for earthworks, multiple retaining walls and complex drainage.
- Rock: $150–$250 per cubic metre to remove. Severe rock adds $30,000–$60,000.
- Reactive clay: deeper footings cost $20,000–$40,000 more than a standard slab.
- High water table near the coast: drainage and damp-proofing add $15,000–$25,000.
- Tight access: narrow streets, a narrow frontage or a steep driveway affect machinery for demolition and deliveries, adding 5–10% to labour.
Rebuilding on a slope? See sloping block builders in Wollongong.
Rebuild vs renovate vs sell and buy: where the money goes
| Knockdown rebuild | Major renovation | Sell and buy again | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land | You keep it | You keep it | You buy again in the same market |
| Stamp duty | None | None | Transfer duty on the purchase |
| Extra costs | Demolition, asbestos, temporary accommodation | Whatever is found behind the walls | Agent fees, moving twice |
| Cost certainty | Priced from a survey, a geotechnical report and a full design | Hidden problems often surface after work starts | Price set by the market |
| What you end up with | A new home designed for your block, warranties on the whole house | An old house with new parts | Someone else's design, possibly a different street |
Renovating usually wins when the structure is sound and the layout is close to what you want, or the house has character a rebuild would lose. Read more on why people choose to knock down and rebuild. Thinking of two homes on the block? See the NSW duplex cost guide.
CDC vs DA: what each costs and how long it takes
You need approval for both the demolition and the new home, and they are usually lodged together.
| Complying development (CDC) | Development application (DA) | |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | The demolition and the new home meet the set state standards | Slope, heritage, bushfire, flooding or a non-standard design |
| Approval fees | $3,000–$5,000 | $8,000–$15,000, plus a construction certificate at $3,000–$5,000 |
| Extra reports | Usually fewer | $5,000–$15,000, as required |
| Time | In as little as 20 days | Commonly months in the Illawarra |
| Both pathways | An occupation certificate ($1,500–$2,500), a BASIX certificate, and the Long Service Levy before work starts | |
CDC timing: NSW Planning, complying development. Fee ranges are CKS Projects' guide figures. Read more on council approval.
How CKS Projects prices a knockdown rebuild
Free site assessment
Keiron walks your block: slope, demolition access, soil, orientation and existing services.
Design and a complete budget
Demolition, asbestos, site works, fees and every council and state charge, set out up front.
One fixed-price contract
No provisional sums hiding unknowns. The only thing that changes the number is a variation you choose to make.
Demolition, build and handover
Most rebuilds take 6–12 months from design to handover, managed by one team.
Comparing builders? Ask each one whether the price is fixed or contains provisional sums, what is excluded, and who attends the site assessment. More on knockdown rebuild builders in Wollongong.
Knockdown rebuild cost FAQs
How much does a knockdown rebuild cost in NSW?
A knockdown rebuild costs the new home plus everything it takes to clear the block. Construction typically runs $2,000–$3,800 per square metre, set mostly by the finish level, so a 240 m² home at a mid-range finish costs about $576,000–$672,000 to build. Site works, professional fees, approvals, council and state charges, connections, landscaping and a 10–15% contingency take the same home to about $765,000–$1,020,000. Demolition and any asbestos removal are priced after an inspection. Because you already own the land, there is no land cost and no stamp duty.
How much does it cost to demolish a house in Wollongong?
Demolition is priced after an inspection, because it depends on the house: a single-storey fibro house is a different job from a two-storey brick home with a pool. The price also turns on any asbestos found, access for machinery and waste disposal. CKS Projects includes demolition in its fixed-price tender, so it is not a separate bill.
How much does asbestos removal add to a knockdown rebuild?
A qualified inspector assesses the house before demolition, and the report sets the scope, so removal becomes a defined cost rather than an open one. Under SafeWork NSW rules, a licensed removalist must remove any friable asbestos and any amount of bonded asbestos over 10 square metres.
What is the cost per square metre to build the new home?
CKS Projects' guide ranges are $2,000–$2,400 per m² for a basic finish, $2,400–$2,800 for mid-range (stone benchtops, hybrid floors, quality fixtures) and $3,000–$3,800 for premium. Complex shapes, multiple roof lines and extensive glazing add 15–25% to construction.
Is a knockdown rebuild cheaper than buying a new house?
Often it is, because you keep the land and pay no transfer duty. Selling and buying again means duty on the purchase, agent fees and moving twice, and you may not find the same location again. A rebuild means demolition, a construction budget and somewhere to live while you build. Compare the two on a full budget, not on the build price alone.
Is it cheaper to renovate or knock down and rebuild?
A renovation quote starts lower, but it cannot price what is behind the walls. On older fibro and brick-veneer houses, asbestos, old wiring, termite damage and footings that cannot carry a second storey often push a major renovation close to the cost of a rebuild, and you still end up with an old house underneath. A rebuild is priced from a survey, a geotechnical report and a full design, so the contract figure is known before work starts.
What council and government fees apply to a knockdown rebuild?
Expect approval fees for the demolition and the new home, which are usually lodged together: about $3,000–$5,000 for a CDC or $8,000–$15,000 for a DA. In Wollongong the city-wide contributions plan levies 1% of the cost of development over $200,000, but it cannot be levied on a single dwelling where a section 7.11 contribution was paid at subdivision and demand does not increase. The Long Service Levy is 0.25% of building work of $250,000 or more, paid before work starts. Every new home also needs a BASIX certificate.
Do I pay the Housing and Productivity Contribution on a knockdown rebuild?
The NSW rate tables charge it on residential subdivision and on medium- and high-density housing, and they do not list a single dwelling house. If you knock down and build a duplex instead, it applies to one net new dwelling, because the existing lot is deducted: $6,761.42 in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven as at 1 October 2026. Your certifier confirms the amount on the NSW Planning Portal.
What costs sit outside a knockdown rebuild contract?
Budget separately for temporary accommodation from demolition until handover, removalists and storage, council rates and insurance on the land during construction, and your lender's fees on a construction loan. A construction loan does not cover the period when you have no habitable house.
How much contingency should I allow for a knockdown rebuild?
Allow 10–15% on top of your final estimate for variations, ground conditions and price movements. On a fixed-price contract the build figure does not move unless you change the design, but the contingency still covers your own choices and the costs outside the contract.
How long does a knockdown rebuild take?
Most CKS Projects knockdown rebuilds take 6–12 months across design, documentation, approval, demolition and construction. A complying development certificate can be issued in as little as 20 days. A DA commonly takes months in the Illawarra.
Get a real number for your rebuild
Tell us your address and what you want to build. We'll check the block for free, then quote the demolition and your new home at one fixed price before you sign.
DESIGNING A DUPLEX THAT DELIVERS RETURNS
Whether you're looking to live in one and rent the other, build for extended family, or maximise your land’s potential, this guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and make confident decisions.
