Knock down and rebuild in Kent

Covering Kent

We cover Kent, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Chatham and Tunbridge Wells, and the towns around them.

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 goes into a knock down and rebuild?

We assess whether rebuilding is better value than extending and renovating, prepare the planning application for the replacement dwelling, manage the demolition notice and asbestos survey, then build the new home. The process runs much like a new build once the old house is cleared.

Planning application for the replacement dwelling
Asbestos survey, demolition notice and service disconnections
New foundations, structure and full fit-out

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

Do you need permission for a knock down and rebuild in Kent?

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 should Kent homeowners check first?

You will need somewhere to live for most of a year.
Planning policy on replacement dwellings varies, especially in green belt and countryside.

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.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

What people ask before starting

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.

Who deals with the council for a project in Kent?

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

Knock down and rebuild in nearby towns

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