Covering Manchester
Alongside Manchester, we also cover Salford (2 miles to the west), Old Trafford and Droylsden.
Homes in the North West
Terraced housing is a defining feature of many North West towns, which brings party walls and narrow access into most projects, with more space to extend on suburban semis.
What is 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
- Asbestos survey, demolition notice and service disconnections
- Demolition and site clearance
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 |
How is a knock down and rebuild approved in Manchester?
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.
What should Manchester 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 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.
Who deals with the council for a project in Manchester?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Also covering
- Knock down and rebuild in Salford
- Knock down and rebuild in Old Trafford
- Knock down and rebuild in Droylsden
- Knock down and rebuild in Stretford
Learn more about knock down and rebuild, or see every project we cover in Manchester.

