At a quick read , with the problems and even looking at the design , I'd suspect knock down . BUT there are a heap of other factors , like the present and future value ( you say you are at the beach -- if its a trendy beach , then almost certainly build new ) , but also your ages and needs and ability to service loans and kids and grandkids -- lots of stuff that we really have no right to know , and probably shouldn't be posted here .

In other words -- its complicated !

Agree. Given asbestos and that you are looking at full gut of both kitchen a bathroom I would kbr. There is a significant cost to merge in to existing structure and with asbestos, lack of wall insulation I suspec, old wiring etc, bite the bullet,

Thanks pottsy and Kate

So many decisions!

I feel its a shame just to toss the old classic out, absolutely that is probably the easiest option, but trying to explore an extension floor plan.

Given that every wall, window and the whole roof will be gone, it would be accessible for the rewire, and fitting of insulation, and maybe not too bad for the plumbing. I do take your point about full gut/cost to merge etc

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

A little bit about our family - 3 x teenage daughters, would love to have space for guests, (including elderly parent) I am over having them in the lounge room!

We are currently renting a bigger space until we can move back in.

Basically , you are paying professionals to strip out 80% of everything , so $1000's , then other professionals to strip out wiring and plumbing , to end up with parts of a 50 or 70 year old frame , that suited a 2 bedroom layout but probably not a 4 bed ( that's what I'd aim for by the sounds of it ) . I'd suspect it would be easy to spend $50k to end up with a compromise ( think doors not exactly where you want , window holes that are too little or high , room sizes too small ) . And then you'll find a builder will only 'discount' you $5k for what is there , and then charge you $10k for all the mucking around .

If it was adding on a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom , certainly worth costing it ; if swapping a kitchen and a bathroom , probably ; but when 80% of the rooms , which means 80% of the floors ; 95 or 100% of the roof ; every external wall and 90% of internal ones -- ask why ?

If you had a 20 year old car that was a bit dinged , but its done you well , you'd probably go to the panelbeaters and spend $1k , maybe $2k . But if it was a bit dented , rusty around the bottom , motor smoky , gearbox slipping , paint faded , headlining fallen off and both front seats ripped and torn -- you'd head to the car sales wouldn't you ? Or if you had no $$ , you'd hope it lasts another 6 months . Most people wouldn't spent $20k or $30k on it unless it was extremely special .

thanks pottsy, I like old cars. As you mentioned earlier in your first comment about more info that's not appropriate to post here - this influences my desire to at least explore an extension scenario, so if anyone has any ideas of what could work with the existing floor plan please share.

However I take your point re knockdown I'll post a 'new build' floor plan of the general layout we are going for.

Hi oklouise I love how you see a floor plan! Sorry I have been slow to respond.

This one too small for us but it looks great and is a very creative solution.

I love the link (possibly to bedrooms 2-4?) and the laundry.

Aiming at 4 bedroom - plus separate guest accommodation to use for family and friends now - and to rent later.

To clarify north is the kitchen side on the plan you have drawn (any confusion is mine!)

I love the separate family entry but using one entrance would save us space to perhaps squeeze a modest bedroom 1 into that northwest corner by using existing lounge and extending to the old carport space??

I'm not sure what the possibilities are with this eager to hear any and all suggestions!

I thought I'd put up what we liked for a new build floor plan also

unable to read your new plans but i understand that you want a 4 bed 2 living house with potential separate rental/guest accommodation plus decks and undercover car spaces for three cars but i can't understand how the old house has been incorporated into the new plan as it looks like you've removed the whole external wall which would make make it necessary to rebuild the whole roof shape (not just add new roof cladding) ... my suggestion aimed to minimize demolition of the original supporting walls and has the kitchen on the northern side to make better use of the old living with entry/ pantry and two car space on NW for family and single car space on south for guests (with potential separate entry to the rental with kitchenette and bath plus two bedrooms or 1 bed and small 1 lounge but the more the original house is changed to make a much bigger house the more that suggests a knock down rebuild would be a much more cost effective option and i would check out some of the exhibition homes that include granny flats for comparative costs as it's much more expensive to change an old house than build new and the bigger the new building the cheaper per sqm and so much less compromise but, if you can post a clearer image of your ideas with readable writing i would be happy to draw up your plans to scale so they would be easier to understand

Thankyou oklouise, sorry I agree that is hard to decipher a last minute add in! I will put a clearer version.

Your summary of what we are trying to achieve with an extension to the old house is correct and what you have done is wonderful, just needs more bedrooms.

That last plan is a idea of what we are looking at for a knockdown rebuild floor plan just thought I would add it in.

Thankyou for your time and input, I greatly appreciate it