Why the Coast is knock-down-rebuild country
Coastal land values have risen far faster than the value of the old houses sitting on it. Thousands of 1950s–70s weekenders and modest brick homes now occupy blocks where a new family home makes more sense than another renovation.
The sequence
1. Feasibility. Planning certificate for the lot — bushfire, flood, coastal and heritage matters — survey, trees and asbestos likelihood.
2. Design and builder. The builder's contract should include written site requirements: what must be removed and the condition the block is handed over in.
3. Approval. Complying development through a certifier, or a development application to Central Coast Council. Bushfire and flood matters are resolved here. Demolition is often included in the same approval.
4. Demolition price. From an inspection, matched to the builder's site requirements.
5. Disconnections. Start the day approval is issued: electricity via the network operator, gas, and water and sewer with Central Coast Council.
6. Move out.
7. Asbestos. Survey, licensed removal, clearance. On fibro houses, allow for it to be substantial. See asbestos removal.
8. Demolition and sorted disposal.
9. Handover to the builder.
What builders usually want gone
- House, slab, footings and piers.
- Old paths, driveway and crossover where the design moves them.
- Pools — see pool removal.
- Retaining walls in the new footprint.
- Trees within the building envelope, where approved.
- Fill that will not support the new footings.
Hillside blocks
On Terrigal, Wamberal and Avoca hillsides, the builder's excavation plan often dictates how much of the old retaining, rock and footings has to come out during demolition. Getting the two scopes aligned saves paying for the same rock twice.
Where it happens
Especially across Terrigal and Wamberal, the Woy Woy Peninsula, Erina, The Entrance and Gosford.
Costs
See the 2026 cost bands.
Call 02 5024 3718 or send the job details through.