Episode 10: Renovate or Rebuild? 10 Factors Australian Homeowners Should Know

Should you renovate or knockdown-rebuild? In this episode, builder Simon Clark breaks down the 10 decisive factors that determine which route delivers better value, performance, and peace of mind—especially on inner-city Melbourne sites with heritage sensitivities. You’ll learn how ResCode, overlays and site conditions can force your hand, why floor levels and subfloors matter more than most people think, and when soil movement, drainage and access make a renovation risky (or a KDRB the cleaner, faster answer). Simon also shares practical investigations to run before you spend on design: council triggers, soil tests, plumber CCTV for sewer/stormwater, survey types, and three-phase power/electrical pit checks. 

You’ll learn:

• Planning & ResCode realities: how heritage/overlays and non-compliant existing walls affect a KDRB vs reno decision
• Block & access constraints: why machine access/orientation can make or break an extension
• Floor level & moisture: when to swap bouncy timber subfloors for an insulated infill slab (and save headaches)
• Soil movement & structure: screw piles, bored piers, underpinning, and the pitfalls of re-stumping done poorly
• Defects & unknowns: when large movements (e.g., 60 mm over a doorway) tip the scales to KDRB
• Scope clarity: keeping a clean “new vs existing” line to avoid labor-heavy blending
• Contingency planning: sensible ranges for renovations (≈10–20%) vs new builds (≈5–10%)
• Pre-design checks: exact council question to ask about planning triggers, plus CCTV sewer, stormwater fall, survey types, and power upgrades

Who it’s for: Homeowners weighing renovation vs knockdown-rebuild, architects/designers advising clients, and builders needing a clear, client-friendly decision framework.

If you'd like to know more, please reach out to Sustainable Homes Melbourne or call us on 1800 683 697.