impossible to comment without specific details but have to say that in my experience it's much more expensive to renovate than build new...keeping in mind that you have to first pay to remove what you don't need or want and then you have to pay more to try and fit new rooms within old spaces or extend and there'll always be compromises adding an extension to an existing house but, unless you're lucky enough to be able to buy a very cheap, ready to demolish old house on a fabulous block of land in a great area, it's likely to be cheaper to build in a new suburb

Thanks oklouise. We wouldn’t be doing any extensions to save costs. I don’t think we can afford to demolish an old house on a large block where we’re wanting to live, they aren’t in our price range. But spending $150k to $200k on renos is in the budget.

Side note...how much would it cost to demolish? $80k? And how long does it usually take to get approval from the council? I feel like renovating would be quicker also

demolition costs depend on the specific house and removing asbestos will add extra but council approval has never taken more than a few weeks for us because i consult (nag?) the building inspectors to get all the free advise they can offer to make sure that our plans are usually well within requiremts before they are submitted there's usually no delays and we always aim for best standard practrice as it will be more familiar to the the tradespeople and often cheaper and easier to achieve...but the last big reno we did on a double brick 1950's house in a great location added more than $400,000 to the purchase price and imo your list of extras would not be affordable for less but why haven't you included kitchen and bathrooms?

Hi Kel,
Demolition costs are around the $15 to $20k NOT $80k.
In Perth, where I am, it is very reasonable costs to build a brand new home. Depending on spec you can build a beautiful spacious home between $200 - $400k.
Please remember, you can not change the location, but you can always change the home. So location is the key. Buying an old home in a good surburb is better.
Eastern states pricing for renovations and new builds are completely different to here in Perth. Most of our existing homes are double brick. Eastern states are stud walls, just as an example.
1980 brick homes are well built, so internal renovations would be worth your while. I would concentrate on the home. Do cosmetic updates then after a while decide on what you actually do what, and budget allows. A pool can be the luxury item at the end.
Contact a company like Summit or Dale Alcock, who both do renovations as a complete package. But, you may find with a 1980 home, you can do most things yourself, or engage a builder, electrician, plumbing when required. You need to cost the goods of the improvement, then ascertain whether you can install those changes, or need to engage a professional.

But, truthfully, its all an unknown with the costing, until you have a home to cost. Ball park, 1980 brick home. Internal painting $8k, this is rubbing back all walls, filling holes etc. but this is something that can be done yourself, if time allows. Only the cost of paint, sand paper, drop sheets. New LED lighting and installation, $2k. Floating floors $6 to $10k depending on quality and square metres. New iron roof? Again depends on square metres. Replacing windows, again how many windows? Etc etc

Or this

Thanks dreamer. Wow that’s great to know demolishing is cheaper than I thought. What other costs are there to think about when bruising other than the house itself? Stamp duty on land, site works...anything else?

We’re a bit time poor so would want a company to do majority and would obviously cut out things that aren’t as important to stick to budget but I understand it’s very hard to know costs when there no property to price. We’re looking to buy in Mullaloo. Hubby would do bathrooms (he used to do this for a living).

Wonderful suburb Mullaloo, that's where my inlaws lived for 23 years. What was your question? "?bruising"

Oops I meant building :)

Okay, if you purchase land only. Stamp duty, site costs, cost of building home, plus cost of any extra variations eg: high ceilings, LED lighting. Extra power points. A set contract price is best.
Curtains, flooring, light fittings. Fencing, lawn, plants, clothesline, mailbox, driveway (however, some home building companies may have an allowance for these in the build) council charges, which can include kerb, crossover, footpath bond, to be kept until build is finished, then if no damage, will be returned. Council planning fees, which are a percentage of contract build total. Sewer connection fees,
So you really need to be aware of what these extra costs amount to, so you can work back to what the total price you can spend on your home.
If you purchase a home, unless you are a first home buyer, and home is under $430k, then you are up for stamp duty on purchase. Then renovating costs. If you wish to demolish the existing home then there are demo costs, new crossover cost, relocation of existing water, gas, electrical services. Our council also requires a geotechnical report which cost $2662. When we built 5 years ago! After that report we were told we need 1 in 100 year stormwater soak wells, which cost $6522 to install! Plus all new build costs as I have mentioned above.
Hope this helps. All I can offer is, know your total spend budget and get as much information on the costs that you can, and then see how much is left for the rest. This applies to both build, or buy/renovate scenarios. A solid 1980 mullaloo home, I would think, would require cosmetic changes only. Gives you time to spend at the beach and tavern.

Thanks so much for the info dreamer. Building sounds like it might be more complex than I thought

Kel, building for me was exciting and very rewarding. It is complex, but well regarded Perth building companies do or the behind the scenes work for you. You just have to make sure that the funds stay within budget.

I guess I’m just concerned about hidden costs. What companies would you recommend?

Good morning, I would recommend the companies that have being building for years. New generation homes, Summit, dale alcock, Ross north, Webb brown and neaves. Take a look at the 'new home' magazine in the Saturday newspaper. It would give you some ideas. When building with a project building company, as above, there are no hidden costs. The quantity surveyor does their job, and all council, site etc, costs are estimated in your contract. It is variations to the builders home, that will cost extra. But, if you happy with a design and specifications of a builders home, then have no variations. Then that is the price. It is the external costs of site and council which the builder does not control, but, because they have completed many homes, they can do a pretty good estimate.

Thank you dreamer. I think we will talk to some of these companies and get a good idea of costs. Thanks again for your help :)

Hi Kel. Whilst I agree with the above, a few of your items in the list would not require a builder and you would be paying extra simply because someone else is insuring and supervising the installation for you eg flooring can be done direct with a flooring company at the end.

Re build vs demolish, if you buy in Mullaloo there is a retained value in the existing house that you would be throwing away by demolishing ie to replace the existing house back to existing size (although your own configuration) using up part of your budget vs applying that to just modifying the existing home.

The major costs in renovations in Perth (being double brick/concrete slab) are the relocation of services such as plumbing / wastes etc that typically are required when eg a bathroom is reconfigured or kitchen relocated and the finishes of those rooms eg cabinetry, benchtops, tiles etc. They will be a large amount but again are also part of the cost of a new build.

For mine, renovating is giving new life to a tired home and is nearly always enthusiastically accepted by Councils and neighbours when planning. Changing a facade to a house in Mullaloo is generally quite straight forward but keep in mind existing houses there usually have quite low eaves/roof lines. It depends on the house as to the options eg additional roof structure to raise visual height / modifications / garage location etc.

Re the costs, it will completely depend on the house, what style and level of finish you want it to be when finished (we've had people spend $2,400 on a shower mixer), the extent of the changes and how much time you have to arrange things eg flooring.

Good luck!

Hi Kel,

I am not sure where you are located but if you are in Brisbane or the surrounds, we can assist. We are Khadye Design and Construction. My husband is a builder and I'm an Interior Designer. We can help you with this entire process. Feel free to call me on 0411 439 768.

Thank you,

Michelle Khadye

Khadye Design and Construction

www.khadye.com.au