Knock down and rebuild in County Antrim

Covering County Antrim

Our coverage across County Antrim includes Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus.

Homes in County Antrim

Housing in Northern Ireland mixes terraces in Belfast and Derry with detached houses and bungalows in towns and rural areas, many with room to extend.

What do you get with 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.

Planning application for the replacement dwelling
New foundations, structure and full fit-out
Reconnection of services and landscaping

How much should I budget for a knock down and rebuild?

Typical ranges for knock down and rebuild. Ground conditions, access and specification move the final figure, which we fix in writing before work starts.

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

How is a knock down and rebuild approved in County Antrim?

Projects in Northern Ireland need planning clearance from one of the eleven councils and building control approval, also from the council. The Party Wall etc. Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, so work near neighbours is agreed directly and documented carefully.

This needs full planning permission from the council in Northern Ireland, plus building control approval.

What can affect a knock down and rebuild?

You will need somewhere to live for most of a year.
Asbestos is common in post-war houses and must be removed by licensed contractors where required.

What are the steps?

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
Site visit. We walk the plot or existing house, look at access, levels, services and boundaries, and talk through what could be built.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
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.

Who deals with the council for a project in County Antrim?

We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.

Also covering

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