Knock down and rebuild in Lancaster

Covering Lancaster

We work in Lancaster (LA1) and the places around it, including Morecambe, Fleetwood and Thornton-Cleveleys.

Homes in the North West

The North West has long rows of Victorian terraced houses in its towns and cities, alongside inter-war semis and post-war estates, so rear extensions, dormer lofts and kitchen extensions are common projects.

What is included in a knock down and rebuild in Lancaster?

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
Asbestos survey, demolition notice and service disconnections
New foundations, structure and full fit-out

What will a knock down and rebuild cost?

Guide prices for knock down and rebuild, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.

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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster homeowners check first?

A replacement dwelling is usually zero-rated for VAT where the old house is demolished completely to ground level.
Asbestos is common in post-war houses and must be removed by licensed contractors where required.

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.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

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.

Do you work in Lancaster?

Yes. Lancaster is within our coverage for knock down and rebuild, along with nearby Morecambe and Fleetwood.

Other towns nearby

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