When maths teacher Trevor Kloprogge and his wife Jackie set out to buy in Melbourne’s East, there was only one way the numbers added up: a knockdown rebuild.
“We realised to afford the house we wanted, we’d be better off buying, knocking down and rebuilding,” Trevor said.
“I did the sums, and it worked out better that way – and increased our equity from day one.”
The Kloprogges are among a growing number of families choosing to knockdown rebuild, Simonds chief of sales and marketing Shaun Patterson said.
“For many, it’s not just about a new house – it’s about staying connected to the community, schools and lifestyle they already love, while finally getting a home that fits the way they live today,” Mr Patterson said.
So, what did Trevor and Jackie learn along the way? Here are their top tips.
1. Do your research – but expect surprises
Trevor’s first piece of advice is to talk to an expert knockdown rebuild specialist like Simonds and understand and check council rules and overlays before you buy.
In Blackburn, the couple ran into strict tree protections under Whitehorse Council.
“We should have met with an arborist before buying,” Trevor admitted.
“We thought boundary trees wouldn’t affect us much – but council said we had to account for the roots.”
The impact? A single-storey plan became a two-storey build, with design changes before the approval was granted.
“The process took some time– but Simonds only asked us to put down $2000 during that time, which was a lifesaver.”
2. Set a realistic budget
The Kloprogges entered the process with a clear budget – and it paid off.
“The only extras we paid were for changes we chose. Simonds didn’t charge for the time or reworking plans,” Trevor said.
For them, the financial logic was clear: “We noticed new builds often sold for around $300,000 more than renovated homes. It’s your life savings, so you want to maximise your return and minimise risk.”
Mr Patterson said rebuilds often come out ahead financially:
“A clean slate means fewer hidden issues, and everything is covered by warranties – which is often more cost-effective than renovations in the long run.”
Choosing a knockdown rebuild can be more cost-effective compared to standard renovations.
3. Prioritise your must-haves
For the Kloprogges, accommodating the trees on site was non-negotiable.
Simonds customised a standard design to fit the block. “It was architecturally tailored to the landscape,” Trevor said.
Because it was their own home – not an investment – they also chose bespoke elements to match their lifestyle.
4. Work with trusted experts
When demolition revealed asbestos under the old house, the couple were relieved Simonds had recommended a reliable team.
“If we’d gone cheap, we could have had a massive headache, thank goodness the demolition safely disposed of it” Trevor said.
Choosing a reputable, reliable builder like Simonds is the first step to a successful knockdown rebuild.
5. Build for the future
Unlike their previous renovation, a new build gave the Kloprogges confidence in quality and sustainability.
"Our new home has Lifetime Structural Guarantee – you don’t get that with a reno,” Trevor said.
Mr Patterson agreed: “A knockdown rebuild gives people modern, energy-efficient inclusions and a home designed for today’s lifestyle, without the compromises of an old structure.”
The payoff
For Trevor and Jackie, the result has exceeded expectations.
“We didn’t realise how spacious it was until we moved in. Once you’ve got your own furniture inside, you go ‘oooh – this is even more luxe than we expected’.”
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