Real knock-down rebuild costs in Sydney for 2026: a builder's line-by-line breakdown
This gets asked a lot, so here are the actual numbers we work with. They're indicative ranges based on Rawlinsons and RLB 2026 benchmarks, not a quote.
All-in (4-bed, double storey): roughly $560k–$1.1M+
Demolition:
Structure only: ~$12k–$28k for a typical home
Asbestos: +$2.5k–$8k if it's limited to eaves or bathrooms, $15k–$25k+ if it's throughout (very common pre-1990)
Service disconnections: +$3k–$6k
Construction per m²:
Project-home spec: $2,000–$2,400
Custom mid-range: $2,600–$3,500
Architectural/premium: $3,800–$4,300+
External works (driveway, landscaping, fencing): +$25k–$70k
Things that blow budgets:
Council contributions (s7.11/7.12): anywhere from a few thousand to $30k+, and often silently excluded from "all-in" quotes
Reactive soil: +$10k–$40k
Slope/retaining: +$20k–$70k
Rock excavation: +$15k–$50k
DA vs CDC: a DA takes longer, which means more months of rent (often $8k–$16k extra)
My single best tip: read the exclusions schedule line by line. If a builder can't tell you clearly whether council contributions are included, assume they're not.
Anyone done a KDR recently? What was your biggest surprise cost?
(I'm with MNA Construction in Sydney. Happy to answer general questions in the comments.)