This house at 17 Effingham St, Tarragindi, was a knockdown-rebuild project and recently sold for $4.1m.
A surge in knockdown-rebuild activity is reshaping Brisbane’s middle-ring suburbs, with ‘mum-and-dad’ developers turning ageing homes into architectural showpieces.
As vacant land becomes scarce closer to the CBD and families opt to stay within established school catchments, suburbs including Wavell Heights, Mount Gravatt, Corinda, and Alderley, are seeing a new generation of homes rise in place of post-war properties.
Industry players are noticing more amateur property developers entering the Brisbane market — from tradies to medical professionals — and making it a lucrative side hustle.
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BEFORE: The house at 33 Zeehan St, Wavell Heights, before it was knocked down and replaced with a new one.
AFTER: This house at 33 Zeehan St, Wavell Heights, is scheduled for auction on Saturday, March 14.
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A recent Place Advisory review of knockdown-rebuild activity across Brisbane backs the trend, identifying large blocks within 10km to 20km of the CBD in established school catchments and with proximity to major infrastructure that have attracted architecturally ambitious new builds.
Rather than building oversized “McMansions”, Place Ascot agent Drew Davies said these new homes were more about build quality and architectural detail, bringing a touch of luxury to previously modest streetscapes.
“It’s less about scale and more about craftsmanship,” he said. “We’re seeing more boutique, family-backed builders stepping into development and backing their own workmanship.
“In many cases they’re now competing directly with traditional developers who are financing projects.”
BEFORE: The house at 43 Clausen St, Mount Gravatt East, before it was knocked down and replaced with a new one.
AFTER: This brand new house at 43 Clausen St, Mount Gravatt East, was a knockdown-rebuild project and is now for sale.
RSM Australia national real estate lead and taxation lawyer, Adam Crowley, said he was also experiencing an uptick in enquiries from mum-and-dad developers taking on knockdown rebuild projects.
“Everyone seems to be doing their main job and becoming a developer on the side,” Mr Crowley said. “This isn’t limited to tradies. We’ve got doctors, plastic surgeons, professionals.
“It’s odd because typically we only do development structuring work with the medium-to-big end of town, but we’re seeing mum and dads who own their home on a big block who are asking; ‘Do we either renovate, knock down and rebuild, or subdivide and do a development like a duplex.”
BEFORE: The original house at 30 Mittagong St, Enoggera, before it was knocked down and replaced with a new one.
AFTER: This house at 30 Mittagong St, Enoggera, was a knockdown-rebuild project and recently sold for $3.295m.
Mr Crowley said he was noticing more people getting caught out by the tax implications of knocking down a home and rebuilding another one or two on the same block for the purpose of selling them.
“Just be careful if you’re building something new and selling it,” he said. “Don’t assume it’s not classified as a profit making undertaking, don’t assume you’ll pay no GST on the transaction, and don’t assume it’s exempt from CGT.
“In a lot of instances, they’ve built these duplexes, lived in one but not the other one, and then sold it and found out they don’t get any main residence tax exemptions whatsoever.
“With planning, you can manage these risks, but it’s hard to try and put the broken egg back together if it’s done.”
BEFORE: The original house at 28 Kidwelly St, Carindale, before it was knocked down and replaced with a new one.
AFTER: This house at 87 Galsworthy Street, Holland Park West, was a knockdown-rebuild project and recently sold for $3.2m.
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In the past year, G.J. Gardner Homes has also recorded a surge in knockdown-rebuild enquiries, particularly in Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs, where the projects now account for about 20 per cent of the franchise’s builds.
G.J. Gardner Homes’ Brisbane Outer North director Phill Vanderneut said the trend was being driven by homeowners wanting to remain in their communities while unlocking the value of their land.
“Historically homeowners have avoided knockdown rebuilds due to misconceptions around cost and time, but the actual site work can take less than a week, and, depending on the type of dwelling and original construction method, the cost is a lot lower than people think,” Mr Vanderneut said.
BEFORE: The original house at 87 Galsworthy St, Holland Park West, before it was knocked down and replaced with a new one.
AFTER: This house at 87 Galsworthy Street, Holland Park West, was a knockdown rebuild project and recently sold for $3.2m.
“Community and good neighbours are priceless and with our ability to customise standard plans or build fully custom homes, it’s that much easier to create a dream home without starting from scratch in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.”
Mr Vanderneut said knockdown rebuilds could also save homeowners money by avoiding stamp duty and years of costly renovations, while allowing them to retain existing landscaping and pools and improve the home’s energy efficiency.
“A family shouldn’t have to leave behind their community and routine as their needs change. Knockdown rebuilds mean that the home can be fully customised and change with the family, whether it’s adding a second dwelling, expanding the home for additional bedrooms, downsizing, or even making room for a pool.”
