Knock down and rebuild in Falmouth

Covering Falmouth

Falmouth sits 8 miles south of Truro, with Truro 8 miles to the north and Redruth 9 miles to the north-west.

Because Cornwall covers a wide area, we confirm availability after the first call and include any travel costs in the written quote rather than adding them later.

Homes in the South West

In the South West, matching local stone, render or slate is often the main design question, and conservation areas and listed buildings are common in historic towns.

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
Planning application for the replacement dwelling
New foundations, structure and full fit-out

What will a knock down and rebuild cost?

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 Falmouth

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.

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.
Planning policy on replacement dwellings varies, especially in green belt and countryside.

What happens after I enquire?

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.
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.

Questions about a knock down and rebuild in Falmouth

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.

Do you work in Falmouth?

Yes. Falmouth is within our coverage for knock down and rebuild, along with nearby Truro and Redruth.

Other towns nearby

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