Covering Diss
Diss sits 19 miles south-west of Norwich, with Stowmarket 14 miles to the south and Thetford 15 miles to the west.
Homes in the East of England
Housing in the East of England ranges from post-war estates and modern developments to timber-framed and period homes in historic towns, so permitted development checks and conservation controls both feature 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.
- Feasibility: rebuild versus extend and renovate
- New foundations, structure and full fit-out
- Reconnection of services and landscaping
How much should I budget for a knock down and rebuild?
What knock down and rebuild typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.
| 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 can change the price or programme?
- You will need somewhere to live for most of a year.
- 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.
Knock down and rebuild: common questions
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.
How long does it take?
Around 36 to 60 weeks including demolition.
How do I get a price for knock down and rebuild in Diss?
Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.
Knock down and rebuild near Diss
- Knock down and rebuild in Stowmarket
- Knock down and rebuild in Thetford
- Knock down and rebuild in Bury St Edmunds
- Knock down and rebuild in Norwich
Learn more about knock down and rebuild, or see every project we cover in Diss.

