Knock down and rebuild in Brighton

Covering Brighton

Alongside Brighton, we also cover Hove (1 miles to the west), Rottingdean and Burgess Hill.

Homes in the South East

Many South East homes are inter-war or post-war semis and detached houses with room for rear and side extensions, while historic town centres and villages bring conservation area and listed building controls.

What does a knock down and rebuild involve?

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.

Feasibility: rebuild versus extend and renovate
Planning application for the replacement dwelling
Demolition and site clearance

What will a knock down and rebuild cost?

Indicative costs for knock down and rebuild. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.

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

Do you need permission for a knock down and rebuild in Brighton?

In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it 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 Brighton homeowners check first?

A replacement dwelling is usually zero-rated for VAT where the old house is demolished completely to ground level.
Asbestos is common in post-war houses and must be removed by licensed contractors where required.

What are the steps?

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.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Knock down and rebuild: common questions

Do I need planning permission?

Yes, for the replacement dwelling.

How long does it take?

Around 36 to 60 weeks including demolition.

Do you work in Brighton?

Yes. Brighton is within our coverage for knock down and rebuild, along with nearby Hove and Rottingdean.

Knock down and rebuild near Brighton

Learn more about knock down and rebuild, or see every project we cover in Brighton.