Build a brand-new home on the block you already love. Mojo Homes guides your Hunter Valley knock down rebuild from the first site visit to handover.

In short

  • Build new on your existing Hunter Valley block, and keep the setting and lifestyle you love.

  • Often clearer and more supported than a major renovation.

  • We help with approvals (CDC or DA), demolition and construction.

  • It all starts with a free site assessment.

Love where you live in the Hunter but not your house? A knock down rebuild replaces your existing home with a brand-new, modern one on the same block. You keep the space, the outlook and the community your family loves, and we will  guide you through every step, removing stress and adding more joy in the process.

Charisma 37 house design with provincial facade

What is a knock down rebuild?

You demolish the existing house on your block and build a new one in its place. You start with one of our existing designs and personalise it around your style, block and lifestyle.

It suits Hunter Valley families who love their location but have outgrown an older or awkward home. For the full picture, see our knockdown rebuild page.

Why Hunter Valley families choose to rebuild

    • Keep your location. Stay in the town or setting you love, from Cessnock to Maitland and Singleton, without re-entering the property market.

    • Make the most of your block. Larger and rural Hunter blocks suit designs with space, flow and indoor-outdoor living, including our acreage-friendly homes.

    • More value from the start. Quality inclusions are built in, so you see the value upfront.

    • Local know-how. Our Hunter Valley home builders design for rural and sloping blocks and local council rules every day

    • Not sure if your block suits a rebuild? Book a free site assessment, and we will tell you.

Newport 28 One house design Ensuite

Rebuild or renovate?

Both can work. It depends on your home, your block and your goals.

A knock down rebuild gives you a brand-new home built to current standards, with your inclusions and design locked in before work starts. That means the budget is clear from the outset, the whole home is designed for energy efficiency rather than working around what's already there, and the disruption is contained to one planned build period. It's usually the better path when the existing home is dated or poorly laid out.

Renovating keeps the house you have, which is the right call when it's structurally sound and you love it. The trade-off is less certainty. Hidden issues can appear once work begins, efficiency gains are limited by the existing structure, and you'll likely be living through staged works. If the bones are good and the layout suits how you live, a renovation may be all you need.

More detail: knock down rebuild vs renovating.

Knock Down Get the Home You've Always Dreamed Of

What does it cost?

Your investment comes down to three things:


  • Demolition of the existing house

  • Site costs such as excavation, retaining, tree removal or services

  • Your new home: the design, size and inclusions you choose


Site costs vary from block to block, so the clearest figure is the tender we prepare after assessing your block. That is why we start with a free site assessment, so you can plan with confidence.


Helpful reading: cost to build a house.

Brampton 44 House design Stairwell

Built to last

  • Quality inclusions such as steel frames, 20mm stone benchtops and COLORBOND roofing, within the relevant M-series inclusion series

  • A 25-year structural guarantee

  • Backed by NEX Building Group and 35+ years of group experience

That is the Mojo Factor: quality you can count on, and a team that keeps the journey clear and easy to navigate. Explore our home designs to picture what is possible.

Explore our Home Designs

Do you need council approval?

  • CDC (Complying Development Certificate): a fast-tracked approval for projects that meet set standards. Usually quicker.

  • DA (Development Application): a full assessment by your local council, such as Cessnock, Maitland or Singleton, used when a project does not meet CDC criteria.

Which one applies depends on your block, zoning and design. We assess it early and arrange the right pathway for you.


See our designs in person

The easiest way to picture your rebuild is to walk through one. Visit our display homes across the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast region to explore layouts, inclusions and finishes in person.

Ready to start?

Book a free site assessment and one of our specialists will guide you through your options, designs and a simple path forward.

Knockdown Rebuild FAQs

Will Mojo complete the demolition of existing home?

Mojo won’t complete the demolition of an existing home. We highly recommend you engage and reputable and experienced contractor to conduct your demolition.

How to find a reputable demolition contractor for my knockdown rebuild?

The most important thing is ensuring the contractor is appropriately licensed and qualified to complete the works. You should ensure they have a demolition plan, demolition licence and demolition supervisor license. As well as ensuring a qualified professional has inspected your home for asbestos.

What questions would you be asking the demolition companies when deciding who to choose for your demolition?

Some questions you can ask the demolition companies are:

Have you done any demolitions in this area? If so, can I speak with those customers?
Within the demolition price are you removing all the footings and underground services, including storm water, gas, electrical?
My builder requires a clearance certificate – can you provide this?
If we’re required to import fill, we will need a VENM or ENM certificate - can you provide this?
We also recommend you speak to the Department of Fair Trading to see if they’re a reputable demolition contractor as every demolition must be registered with the Department of Fair Trading.

When you decide to do a knock down rebuild with Mojo we’ll be there with you throughout the entire process, giving you advice and access to our complete range of resources. Find out more here about the resources we can offer you and start your knock down rebuild journey today. 

How much will the demolition cost?

The average demolition can cost anywhere between $30,000 and $40,000 but this can vary depending on your unique site conditions.

Can I finance the demolition?

Yes! Our MyChoice Home Loans team are construction loan specialists and can talk you through financing both your demolition and build. For more information, visit: mojohomes.com.au/mychoice-home-loans

Why is a knockdown rebuild better than renovating?

Renovating can often actually end up more expensive per square metre than building a new home. It can also throw up a load of surprise costs, particularly if structural changes are needed.

A new home offers a blank canvas for both your inclusions AND floorplan, meaning you can be sure your home will suit your needs for many years to come. 

What can I expect from my knockdown rebuild quote?

The purpose of the initial quote is to identify compliance and determine the best planning pathway (local council or CDC). It helps identify or confirm that your preferred design is suitable for your block of land, and gives a great expectation on the overall cost to construct your new home.

How long does a knockdown rebuild take?

The time it takes to complete a knock down rebuild project can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The size of the build: A larger build will obviously take longer to complete than a smaller one.
  • Local planning approval: The time it takes to obtain planning approval can vary depending on the local council and the complexity of the project.
  • Council permits: In addition to planning approval, you may also need to obtain other permits, such as a building permit or a demolition permit.
  • Soil conditions and site conditions: The condition of the soil and the site itself can also impact the time it takes to complete the project. For example, if the soil is unstable or there are large rocks on the site, it will take longer to prepare the site for construction.
  • Tree removal: If there are any trees on the site that need to be removed, this can add to the overall project time.
  • Demolition and site preparation: Demolition and site preparation can also add to the overall project time. This includes disconnecting and removing any existing services, such as water, gas, and electricity.
  • Weather and supply chain impacts: Weather conditions and supply chain disruptions can also impact the time it takes to complete the project. For example, if there is a prolonged period of wet weather, construction may be delayed. Similarly, if there are supply chain disruptions, it may be difficult to obtain the necessary materials, which can also delay construction.

In general the knock down rebuild pre-construction process can take around 12 months, while construction can take on average 30 weeks. However, it is important to note that this is just an estimate and the actual time it takes to complete your project may vary. Visit a display and talk to a specialist to begin planning for your particular requirements.

How to get approval for a knockdown rebuild?

You will need permission for both the demolition of your existing home and construction of your new home, this can be done via local council or CDC. Once you have received your demolition approval, Mojo will then submit your construction approval.

Knockdown Rebuild Enquiry

Get in touch with one of our Knockdown Rebuild experts, they make it simple and guide you throughout the process.

Please complete the enquiry form and someone from our team will be in contact within 24 hours to talk to you about your knock down rebuild enquiry.

Alternatively you can see more contact details on the contact page or give a design consultant a call.

1300 006 656