Knock down and rebuild in Chichester

Covering Chichester

Our coverage around Chichester (PO19) also includes Bognor Regis, Havant and Littlehampton.

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 is 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.

Feasibility: rebuild versus extend and renovate
Planning application for the replacement dwelling
Asbestos survey, demolition notice and service disconnections

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?

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 can change the price or programme?

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.

How does the project run?

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.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

Questions about a knock down and rebuild in Chichester

Is it cheaper to knock down and rebuild or renovate?

It depends on the existing house. Where a house needs major structural work and a large extension, rebuilding can be similar cost and gives a better result. We compare both at feasibility.

Do I need planning permission?

Yes, for the replacement dwelling.

Do you work in Chichester?

Yes. Chichester is within our coverage for knock down and rebuild, along with nearby Bognor Regis and Havant.

Also covering

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