knock down rebuild On The
South Coast
Build the home you’ve always wanted with a knock down rebuild on the South Coast
Our Trusted Partners
Love where you live, but not the home you’re living in?
When your home no longer suits your family, your lifestyle, or the way you want to entertain, it can feel like you’ve outgrown more than just the floorplan. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave the neighbourhood you know and love.
A knockdown rebuild gives you the chance to stay in the location that already feels like home, while creating a space that works beautifully for the way you live today.
At Ironbark Builders, we create thoughtfully designed homes that feel timeless, functional, and deeply connected to the South Coast lifestyle.
Rather than settling for costly renovations or moving away from your community, you can start fresh on the block you already love, with a home designed around comfort, quality, and long-term value.
If your current home feels tired, outdated, or no longer fit for purpose, we’re here to help you reimagine what’s possible.
It all starts with a free site inspection
At Ironbark Builders, we believe rebuilding your home should be an exciting step forward, not an overwhelming one. That’s why we focus on making the process as straightforward, transparent, and personalised as possible, so you can move ahead with confidence from the very beginning.
Every knockdown rebuild starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your block, your goals, and the way you want to live, then guide you through the next steps with honest advice and practical insight.
The most suitable designs for the block
The fall across your block
The location of trees
Neighbouring properties
Site accessibility
Any additional site preparation that may be required.
From here, we will provide a detailed tender featuring all potential site costs so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for from day one.
Built by a team that cares
Behind every Ironbark home is a team of skilled builders, trades, and project partners who take real pride in their work. We believe great homes come from good people - the kind who communicate clearly, pay attention to the details, and genuinely care about getting the job done properly.
Our team brings together craftsmanship, experience, and a shared respect for the South Coast lifestyle. From the first conversations through to the final touches on site, we work with a calm, considered approach that makes the building journey feel more personal and more supported.
It’s not just about building homes. It’s about building trust, creating quality that lasts, and making sure every client feels looked after along the way.
Our recent Builds on the South Coast
Malua bay
When your home no longer suits your family, your lifestyle, or the way you want to entertain, it can feel like you’ve outgrown more than just the floorplan. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave the neighbourhood you know and love.
A knockdown rebuild gives you the chance to stay in the location that already feels like home, while creating a space that works beautifully for the way you live today.
At Ironbark Builders, we create thoughtfully designed homes that feel timeless, functional, and deeply connected to the South Coast lifestyle.
Rather than settling for costly renovations or moving away from your community, you can start fresh on the block you already love, with a home designed around comfort, quality, and long-term value.
If your current home feels tired, outdated, or no longer fit for purpose, we’re here to help you reimagine what’s possible.
Narmooma - In Progress
Our Narooma project is taking shape, with the slab complete, frames up, roof on, and windows and doors now installed. The team is now preparing for the next stage, with cladding to begin soon as the home moves closer to lock-up.
This build carries a strong connection to the site’s history. The original 1950s home was removed after years of wear, with elements of the old structure carefully saved to live on in the finished space. Reclaimed hardwood bearers and joists will be reused as garden edging, giving part of the original home a place in the next chapter.
Designed with both function and character in mind, the project includes a wraparound spotted gum deck, custom structural elements, and a new rear shed with laneway access. It’s a thoughtful rebuild that reflects Ironbark’s approach to quality craftsmanship, practical design, and homes built to last.
Narrawallee - In Progress
Our Narrawallee project is progressing well, with the frames complete and the roof ready for installation. Designed with a strong focus on thermal performance, this home brings together carefully selected materials and construction methods to create a more comfortable, energy-efficient living environment.
Built with double brick construction and double glazed windows, the home has been designed to perform well year-round while offering lasting durability and character. The client-selected mixed brick pattern adds texture and warmth, while locally sourced blue gum posts and Australian-grown plantation pine reflect a thoughtful, sustainability-focused approach.
With roofing materials selected, battens prepared, and premium weatherproofing already in place, this project is taking shape as a home that balances performance, craftsmanship, and connection to place.
Monkey Mountain - In Progress
Our Monkey Mountain Road project is now in its final stages, with the home nearly complete and the last details coming together beautifully. Inside, the finishes reflect a thoughtful balance of durability, warmth, and custom design, from concrete floors and polished benchtops to plywood joinery, completed tiling, and carefully considered details throughout.
Outside, landscaping, paving, and final site works are well underway, bringing the entire property closer to completion. Designed for a bushfire-prone setting, the home also includes a strong suite of resilience features, including a bushfire sprinkler system, solar and battery storage, backup power, rainwater collection, and waste management systems.
This is a project shaped by practical design, quality craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of the site, creating a home that feels both highly functional and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
Milton
Our Milton project has been a meaningful bushfire rebuild, created with a strong focus on comfort, resilience, and connection to place. Designed using passive solar principles, the home is shaped to support comfortable living year-round while responding thoughtfully to its surrounding landscape.
With detached living spaces, generous eaves, and a refined material palette that includes standing seam metal cladding, Blackbutt shiplap, and hardwood decking milled from timber on the property, this build reflects a practical and environmentally conscious approach. It’s a home that brings together careful design, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for both the site and the people it was built for.
The benefits of a knock down rebuild on the South Coast
Moving house can be stressful and renovations tend to get costlier and costlier as time goes on.
A knock down rebuild, on the other hand, is a convenient and affordable way to refresh your home design and achieve more space for entertaining (as well as your growing family).
South Coast knock down rebuilds come with a huge range of attractive benefits:
You can stay in your current location where you’ve created precious memories
You don’t have to worry about meeting new neighbours
Your kids can stay at the same school with their friends
You can save money per square metre compared to a renovation project
You can go green and create a more eco-friendly home
You can increase the value of your house and land
You won’t have to pay real estate or stamp duty fees!
Knockdown rebuild costs on the South Coast
When weighing up a renovation against a knockdown rebuild, cost is often one of the biggest considerations. While renovations can appear simpler at first, they often come with hidden issues and rising costs once work begins.
A knockdown rebuild can provide greater clarity from the outset, with more certainty around budget, design, and long-term value.
At Ironbark Builders, we take the time to assess your site properly and provide a detailed tender early in the process, so you can move forward with a clear understanding of costs and fewer surprises along the way.
Learn more about the knock down rebuild costs and process and chat to one of our knock down rebuild specialists today.
Site Inspection
Our construction team will visit your existing property to conduct a free site inspection.
Detailed Tender
We’ll present you with a detailed tender covering all the costs to build your dream home. Once approved we invite you to pay your commencement fee and our drafting team will start drawing your plans.
Now is a great time to start organising quotes for demolition of your current home.
Contracts & Deposit
On acceptance of your lodgement plans our contracts administrators prepare your HIA contract. At this time the 5% deposit is paid.
Selections
Select your internal and external colours, features and finishes with our interior designers.
Approval
Once your DA or CDC has been approved demolition of your current house can be scheduled.
Pre Construction
Demolition can take up to four weeks. During this time we obtain the construction certificate and prepare final documents for construction.
Site Preparation
Once demolition is complete correct site preparation is undertaken and proof of funds is provided.
Construction Begins
Construction commences on your beautiful new home.
Move In
Your home is complete and ready to move in.
Your Knock Down Rebuild FAQs Answered
We understand home building can be a complex and confusing journey. That’s why we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to help guide you along the way
What are the pros and cons of a knock down rebuild vs a renovation?
For many homeowners, the goal is not just to improve how their home looks and feels, but to make a smart long-term investment in the place they already own.
With land values rising and well-located blocks becoming harder to replace, many people are choosing to stay where they are and create a better home on the site they already know and love. Rather than moving away from a familiar neighbourhood, rebuilding can offer the chance to improve both lifestyle and long-term value in one considered step.
If your home is ageing and no longer suits the way you live, there are usually two paths forward - a major renovation or a knockdown rebuild.
While renovation can seem like the simpler option at first, the reality is often more complex. Once structural changes, hidden issues, and the limitations of the existing home are taken into account, costs can escalate quickly. In many cases, a major renovation can end up costing significantly more per square metre than a knockdown rebuild, while still leaving you to compromise on layout, performance, or overall finish.
A knockdown rebuild offers a more complete solution. It allows you to start fresh with a home designed around your lifestyle, your site, and your future, often with greater clarity around cost from the outset.
At Ironbark Builders, we believe transparency matters. That’s why we provide a detailed tender early in the process, giving you a clear understanding of scope, inclusions, and investment before you move forward. It means fewer surprises, better planning, and more confidence in the decisions you’re making.
For many homeowners, rebuilding also solves another common frustration - finding the right home in the right area. When you already love your location, your neighbours, and your connection to the community, it can make far more sense to improve the site you already have than to start again somewhere else.
The real question is not just what will cost less today. It’s which option will give you the better home, the better lifestyle, and the stronger long-term value.
Do I need to talk to a builder before I start demolition?
Before demolition begins, it’s important to speak with your builder so the next stages of the project can be planned with clarity. Site preparation involves far more than simply removing the existing home. There are a number of factors that need to be considered to ensure the block is safe, compliant, and ready for construction.
Depending on the property, this may include the removal of existing structures and materials, clearing trees and roots, addressing pools or other site features, and managing services such as sewer connections.
At Ironbark Builders, we help guide you through these early considerations so the process feels well planned from the outset and your site is properly prepared for the home to come.
For more detailed guidance, speak with our team about the knockdown rebuild process and what may be required for your specific block.
What are the knock down rebuild costs?
A major renovation can often end up costing significantly more per square metre than a knockdown rebuild, particularly when you factor in structural changes, hidden issues within the existing home, and the compromises that can come with trying to work around an outdated layout.
A knockdown rebuild offers the opportunity to start fresh, creating a home that is better suited to your lifestyle, your block, and your long-term plans, often with greater clarity around cost from the outset.
What affects demolition costs?
The cost of demolishing an existing home can vary depending on a range of site-specific factors, including:
the size of the existing dwelling
the volume and type of materials to be removed
whether asbestos is present
access to the site
existing features such as pools, retaining walls, or established trees
As a general guide, demolition costs often fall within the range of $20,000 to $30,000, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the site and any additional works required.
How long does it take to Knock Down and Rebuild?
The construction phase of a knockdown rebuild will generally take between 26 and 41 weeks from the time work begins on site. The exact timeframe will depend on the size, complexity, and design of the home being built.
Before construction begins, there is also a pre-construction phase, which typically takes around 5 to 8 months. This stage includes planning, documentation, approvals, and demolition, and timing can vary depending on site conditions and council or approval requirements.
At Ironbark Builders, we guide you through each stage with a clear understanding of the process, so you know what to expect and can move forward with confidence.
What is the Knock Down Rebuild process?
Here’s what the knockdown rebuild process typically looks like:
1. Initial site inspection
Our team visits your property to assess the site, understand its conditions, and talk through your goals for the new home.
2. Planning and approvals
We help you understand the approvals required for your project, including whether demolition will be managed separately or as part of the broader application process.
3. Detailed tender and inclusions
You’ll receive a detailed tender outlining the scope of works, selected inclusions, and key project details, so you know exactly what’s involved.
4. Tender approval and contract signing
Once everything is reviewed and approved, contracts are signed and your project moves into the next stage.
5. Selections and finishes
You’ll choose the internal and external finishes that bring your home to life, from colours and materials to the finer design details that make the space your own.
6. Demolition preparation
Quotes and planning for demolition are organised, with timing aligned to the approvals process and overall construction schedule.
7. Demolition of the existing home
Once approvals are in place, the existing dwelling is removed and the site is prepared for the next chapter.
8. Final documentation and construction preparation
While demolition is underway, final certifications and project documentation are completed to keep everything moving efficiently toward the build.
9. Construction begins
With the groundwork complete, construction of your new home gets underway.
10. Welcome home
The final step is moving into a home that feels considered, functional, and built for the way you want to live.
Can I make changes to your floorplans?
Unlike builders who work within rigid design limits, Ironbark gives you the flexibility to create a home that feels right for your lifestyle, your block, and your future. We design thoughtful, high-quality homes that can be tailored to suit the unique shape, slope, orientation, and setting of your site.
Knock Down Rebuild Customer Stories
Owen’s Story - Knock Down Rebuild
For 25 years, Owen’s block on the South Coast was more than just land. It was part of his life, filled with memories, family, and a simple shack that had stood quietly in the bush for decades.
Then the 2019 bushfires changed everything.
Losing the home was devastating, and starting again came with a lot of uncertainty. Owen knew rebuilding in a remote location would be challenging. He also knew he needed a builder who would be honest, practical, and willing to guide him through the process without adding to the stress.
That’s where Ironbark came in.
From the beginning, Rob took the time to listen, explain the options clearly, and help Owen make decisions that made sense for the site, the budget, and the kind of home he wanted to create. Nothing felt rushed. Every step was handled with care, and every trade on site brought the same calm, professional approach.
The result is more than a rebuild. It’s a return to a place that means everything to Owen, with a home designed to respect the land, respond to the conditions, and feel right for the future.
That’s what mattered most - trust, clear communication, and a home built properly.
Local Building Experts | Trusted in the southcoast
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