Knock down and rebuild in Cumbria

Covering Cumbria

We cover Cumbria, including Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal and Whitehaven, and the towns around them.

Projects in Cumbria are taken on by arrangement, and any travel and accommodation costs for the team are shown openly in the quote.

Homes in the North West

Across the North West, Victorian terraces, inter-war semis and modern estates all feature, and brick or stone matching is chosen to suit each street.

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.

Demolition and site clearance
New foundations, structure and full fit-out
Reconnection of services and landscaping

What is the guide price for a knock down and rebuild in Cumbria?

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

Planning and building rules in Cumbria

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 Cumbria homeowners check first?

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.

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.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Your questions answered

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.

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.

Can you visit a house in Cumbria 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.

Knock down and rebuild near Cumbria

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