Knockdown Rebuild Double Bay — One Contract, Demo to Keys
Everything under one agreement in Double Bay 2028: demolition, asbestos removal, site prep, design, approvals, engineering, new home construction, landscaping and Occupation Certificate.
HIA Member
MBA NSW0476 300 300Quick Answer
A knockdown rebuild in Double Bay costs $450,000–$1,200,000+. Standard single-storey from $450K, two-storey from $650K. Buildana manages demolition, Woollahra Municipal Council approvals, and construction under one fixed-price contract.
Demolish and Rebuild in Double Bay
KDR in Double Bay is rare and heritage-restricted. Where non-contributory replacement is viable, harbour-fall engineering: suspended slabs, rock excavation $30K–$80K. Demolition $55K–$100K. Realistic premium turnkey $3M–$6.5M for 280–500m² rebuild. Pre-construction 10–12 months including heritage and foreshore consents.
On the ground in Double Bay (2028), the practical numbers shape every knockdown rebuild. Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) soil — extremely reactive clay — pushes engineered foundation work into the $45,000–$80,000 bracket on most 250–1,000m² blocks. R2 Low / R3 Medium / R4 / B2/B4 mixed zoning under Woollahra Municipal Council sets the building envelope, with R3 Medium Density pockets that open up dual occupancy options on qualifying lots. Median sale price across Double Bay sits at $4.5M–$15M, which frames the build-versus-buy decision from the start. Nearest rail is Edgecliff (1 km, ferry to Circular Quay), and that proximity affects everything from rental demand to construction site access.
Buildana manages the complete knockdown rebuild process in Double Bay — from site assessment and architectural design through to DA or CDC approval, demolition management, and fixed-price construction to handover. One builder, one contract, one new home.
Read our KDR Cost Guide 2026 or use the Renovation vs KDR Calculator to compare options.
- New home in Double Bay from $450K
- Woollahra Municipal Council DA and CDC approvals managed
- Demolition and asbestos removal included
- Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) soil — engineered slab design included
- Typical blocks 250–1,000m² in Double Bay
- Single and two-storey designs available
- 6-year structural warranty
- Free site assessment — near Edgecliff (1 km, ferry to Circular Quay) station
Reviewed by Oliver Alameri
Licensed Builder (NSW 487805C) · Master of Property Development · PhD Student · Building across Western Sydney since 2010
Why Knockdown Rebuild in Double Bay?
Double Bay is harbourside premium — New South Head Road shops, Bay Street village, harbour beach. Federation mansions, inter-war flats and harbourside apartments on 250–1,000m² blocks with substantial fall to the harbour. Heritage Conservation Areas cover most streets. Sandstone-dominant soil. Premium for harbour outlook and shopping.
Double Bay's established streetscape and median house prices of $4.5M–$15M reflect a premium location within Woollahra. Building costs sit above the metro average, offset by stronger capital growth and rental returns. Transport access via Edgecliff (1 km, ferry to Circular Quay) connects Double Bay to the wider Sydney network. 1900s–1940s + apartments-era housing stock across Double Bay is prime for knockdown rebuild — replacing dated layouts and materials with modern, NCC-compliant homes that maximise block potential. Ground conditions (Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall)) across Double Bay are well understood by local builders — Buildana's engineering accounts for extremely reactive soil movement.
KDR in Woollahra is rare and heritage-fraught — Heritage Conservation Areas cover virtually every Paddington terrace street, virtually all of Woollahra village, most of Bellevue Hill, Darling Point, Point Piper, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Centennial Park, Queens Park and parts of Double Bay. Council defaults to retention. Where non-contributory replacement is theoretically viable (uncommon, mostly post-war pockets in Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse, Rose Bay), substantial harbour fall and sandstone-dominant soil drive engineering: suspended slabs, structural underpinning, rock anchoring all standard. Rock excavation $25K–$80K. Demolition $50K–$120K with asbestos prevalent. Realistic premium turnkey $3M–$10M+ for 300–500m² build, peaking on Point Piper, Darling Point and Vaucluse harbour-fall. Pre-construction 9–12 months. We frequently advise extension/restoration over KDR.
Planning Controls — Woollahra Municipal Council
Woollahra LEP 2014 & Woollahra DCP 2015. R2 Low Density covers most residential streets: FSR 0.5–0.6:1, building height 8.5–9.5m, front setback 4–6m varying by streetscape, landscaped area 35–45%. R3 Medium Density along New South Head Road, Edgecliff Road and Bondi Junction fringe permits FSR up to 0.95:1. R4 High Density and B4 Mixed Use centred on Edgecliff and Double Bay village. Heritage Conservation Areas are amongst Sydney's heaviest — Paddington terraces (virtually entire suburb), Woollahra village (virtually entire suburb), Queens Park, Centennial Park and Centennial Parklands frontage, Bellevue Hill mansions, Darling Point peninsula, Point Piper peninsula, Vaucluse harbourside, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay village, parts of Double Bay. Tree Preservation Order applies LGA-wide and is enforced strictly. Substantial harbour-fall sites are the LGA's signature engineering challenge: Darling Point, Point Piper, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill north-facing slopes — suspended slabs, structural underpinning, sandstone rock excavation $25K–$80K standard, rock anchoring routine. Foreshore Building Line restricts harbourside building envelopes on most premium lots. Sydney Harbour National Park frontage at South Head (Watsons Bay) adds further heritage and ecological controls.
Knockdown-rebuild builder in Double Bay — key facts
- Suburb
- Double Bay, NSW 2028
- Council / LGA
- Woollahra Municipal Council (Woollahra)
- Primary zoning
- R2 Low / R3 Medium / R4 / B2/B4 mixed
- Typical lot size
- 250–1,000m²
- Soil class
- Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall)
- Median house price
- $4.5M–$15M
- Home era
- 1900s–1940s + apartments
- Typical price range
- $450,000 – $1,200,000+
- Typical timeline
- 14–22 months including demolition
- Approval pathway
- CDC where eligible or DA for complex sites
Building in Double Bay — Local Context
Foundations & Slab Design for Double Bay
Double Bay's ground is extremely reactive clay (Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall)). On a 250–1,000m² block, that translates to engineered slab work in the $45,000–$80,000 bracket for a rebuild. Double-check any quote that doesn't itemise the slab — 'slab as per engineering' usually means the builder will hit you with a variation once the soil report comes back. We commission the geotech upfront, before pricing, so the cost in your contract reflects what your block actually needs. If your neighbour's home shows movement cracks above architraves or below window sills, that's a signal worth knowing before you finalise design — Buildana's site assessment looks at adjacent stock too.
Approval Timeline for Double Bay
Realistic timeline for a rebuild in Double Bay: 10–15 business days CDC, or 8–14 weeks DA — depends on the design. Add 2–4 weeks before lodgement for documentation, BASIX certificate, geotech report, and survey if you don't already have one. Construction Certificate is issued separately before works commence.
What a Rebuild Costs in Double Bay
Double Bay's median house price sits at $4.5M–$15M. That's the number that decides whether a knockdown rebuild stacks up financially. A new build at $4.5M–$15M+ replacement is well-supported by the local market and adds resale headroom on standard 250–1,000m² blocks. Buildana provides itemised quotes — no provisional sums, no allowances, no "as per engineering" line items.
Lifestyle Fit in Double Bay
Double Bay has a settled residential character. Edgecliff (1 km, ferry to Circular Quay) from the nearest station. Local landmark: Double Bay Wharf & Bay Street. For families knocking down and rebuilding here, the design considerations that matter day-to-day: orientation for natural light (north-facing living wherever the lot allows), separation between adult and kids' zones, a kitchen that opens to outdoor entertaining, garage size that fits a real family vehicle plus storage, and a layout that doesn't require renovating again in 10 years as the kids grow. Buildana designs for the long arc of how families actually use a home, not just the showroom photo.
Why Some Double Bay Builds Stall
Builds in Double Bay stall for predictable reasons. Lodgement defects (missing BASIX, wrong drawing scale, undeclared overlays). Soil surprises on Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) ground when the builder didn't commission a borehole upfront. Variation creep when the contract was light on inclusions. Trade scheduling gaps when the builder is over-committed across too many sites. Woollahra Municipal Council delays when neighbour objection triggers committee review. Buildana protects against each of these at contract stage — fully documented lodgement pack, geotech in the price, itemised inclusions instead of allowances, and a tight project-manager-to-job ratio that keeps trades moving.
Builder's Take on Double Bay
Timing on Double Bay KDR: demolition 5–10 business days, slab 3–4 weeks post-demo, new home 24–40 weeks to handover. Total 7–11 months. Compared to selling and rebuying in the same suburb, you save ~12 weeks of dead time plus $80K–$140K in stamp duty and agent fees.
One-contract KDR in Double Bay vs two-contractor (demo + builder separately): two-contractor looks cheaper on paper but the site risk transfers to you between the crews. Old footings, buried tanks, boundary disputes — all your problem. Buildana's single contract keeps the risk with the contractor.
Double Bay vs Nearby Suburbs
Double Bay vs nearby suburbs — key metrics for knocking down and rebuilding.
| Suburb | Median Price | Typical Lot | Soil Class | Era | Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Bay2028this suburb | $4.5M–$15M | 250–1,000m² | Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) | 1900s–1940s + apartments | Edgecliff (1 km, ferry to Circular Quay) |
| Bellevue Hill2023 | $6M–$25M+ | 500–2,000m² | Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) | 1900s–1940s heritage mansions | Edgecliff (3 km) |
| Edgecliff2027 | $2.5M–$5M | 200–500m² | Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) | 1880s–1960s + apartments | Edgecliff (in suburb) |
| Point Piper2027 | $15M–$100M+ | 600–2,500m² | Class M (sandstone ridges) / H–E (harbour fall) | 1880s–1940s heritage mansions | Edgecliff (2 km, ferry from Double Bay) |
Median price, soil class, and lot size shape build feasibility and final cost. Buildana assesses every site against these and other constraints during the free feasibility stage.
Have a question about your project?
Talk to our team — free site assessment and fixed-price quote.
Cost Guide
| Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Demolish 1900s–1940s + apartments fibro → modern brick double storey | $730,000 – $1,400,000 |
| Demolish brick veneer → new brick veneer (like-for-like uplift) | $670,000 – $1,190,000 |
| Demolish to downsize (smaller footprint) | $640,000 – $1,010,000 |
| Demolish to upsize (growing family) | $980,000 – $1,680,000 |
| Demolish older home, rebuild investment-grade | $780,000 – $1,260,000 |
Prices are indicative for Western Sydney (2025). Actual costs depend on site, specifications, and approvals.
How It Works
From First Call to Final Key
We assess your Double Bay block — lot size (typical 250–1,000m²), R2 Low / R3 Medium / R4 / B2/B4 mixed zoning, setbacks, FSR, and existing dwelling condition. Asbestos survey included.
⏱Complete design package: floor plans, elevations, 3D renders, structural engineering, geotech, BASIX, stormwater, and all documentation Woollahra Municipal Council requires. Approval managed start to finish.
⏱Pre-demolition: dilapidation report on adjoining properties (protects you against unfounded damage claims), service disconnections, asbestos clearance, neighbour notification. Then 1–2 weeks of physical demolition with material sorted at site for recycling where possible.
⏱Fixed-price construction: engineered slab, frame, lock-up, fit-out, external works. 8–12 months depending on size.
⏱Same address, completely different home. Permanent gas, water, electrical, NBN reconnected and tested.
⏱Our Team
Oliver Alameri
Founder / Director / Builder · MPropDev · PhD Student
Ahmad Alameri
Accounts Manager
Claire Wendell
Project Manager
Estimate Your Build Cost
Use our free calculator to get an instant cost estimate for your project
Ready to take the next step?
Free consultation — no obligation, no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Buildana built our granny flat in just 12 weeks. Fast approvals, great communication, and a beautiful final product. Highly recommend.”
Fatima Al-Rashid
Liverpool, NSW
We Build Across Sydney
Buildana builds across greater Sydney — with deep roots in Western Sydney's Fairfield, Liverpool, Cumberland, Canterbury-Bankstown, and Blacktown LGAs.
Last updated: 1 April 2026
Explore Related Topics
Book a Double Bay Knockdown Rebuild Assessment
Free KDR site assessment for Double Bay 2028. We'll assess your block, estimate cost, and provide a fixed-price budget.
Start Your Project