Covering Bracknell
Bracknell is about 10 miles east of Reading. We also cover Crowthorne (3 miles to the south-west), Wokingham and Camberley.
Homes in the South East
Housing across the South East mixes inter-war semis, post-war estates and older cottages in villages and market towns, so rear and side extensions, hip-to-gable lofts and garage conversions all come up regularly.
What goes into a knock down and rebuild?
Knock down and rebuild means demolishing an existing house and building a new one in its place, often a bungalow or poorly built post-war house replaced by a larger, more efficient home. Because the new house counts as a new dwelling, the build is usually zero-rated for VAT.
- Asbestos survey, demolition notice and service disconnections
- Demolition and site clearance
- Reconnection of services and landscaping
How much should I budget for a knock down and rebuild?
Use these ranges to budget for knock down and rebuild; the survey turns them into a fixed price for the agreed specification.
| Knock down and rebuild | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Demolition and site clearance (total) | £15,000 to £35,000 |
| Rebuild, standard specification (per m²) | £2,100 to £2,600 per m² |
| Rebuild, good specification (per m²) | £2,600 to £3,100 per m² |
| Rebuild, high specification (per m²) | £3,100 to £3,700 per m² |
What approvals does a knock down and rebuild need in England?
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
This needs full planning permission from the council. We prepare the drawings and supporting documents, submit the application and respond to the planning officer.
What should I think about before starting?
- A replacement dwelling is usually zero-rated for VAT where the old house is demolished completely to ground level.
- Planning policy on replacement dwellings varies, especially in green belt and countryside.
From first call to completion
- Tell us about the project. Call, use the guide price tool or send the form with a few photos and a postcode.
- Site visit. We walk the plot or existing house, look at access, levels, services and boundaries, and talk through what could be built.
- Design and fixed price. You get drawings and a written price for the agreed specification before anything is ordered.
- Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.
What people ask before starting
Is VAT charged on a knock down and rebuild?
Usually not on the new house, if the old one is demolished completely and the new building is a qualifying dwelling.
Do I need planning permission?
Yes, for the replacement dwelling.
Can you visit a house in Bracknell to quote?
Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.
Other towns nearby
- Knock down and rebuild in Crowthorne
- Knock down and rebuild in Wokingham
- Knock down and rebuild in Camberley
- Knock down and rebuild in Maidenhead
Learn more about knock down and rebuild, or see every project we cover in Bracknell.