The question every homeowner asks
You love your street but you've outgrown your house. Do you add on, or start fresh? It's rarely as simple as people think.
When extension makes sense
The bones of the house are good (solid structure, decent layout)
You want to keep the character of the existing home
Council rules favour retaining the original dwelling
Your budget doesn't stretch to a full rebuild
You only need 1–2 extra rooms or a reconfigured living area
When knockdown-rebuild wins
The existing house has serious structural issues (cracking, subsidence, asbestos)
The layout is fundamentally wrong for how you live now
Energy performance is poor and retrofitting would cost more than rebuilding
You want a modern, airtight, energy-efficient home
The land value far exceeds the building value
The hidden costs of extending
Extensions look cheaper on paper, but they come with surprises. Matching existing roof lines, working around load-bearing walls, upgrading old plumbing and electrical to current standards — these costs add up fast.
What we recommend
Come in for a site review before you commit either way. We'll look at your block, your house, your brief, and the planning rules, and give you an honest assessment of which path gives you the best result for your budget.