Why the order matters

A knockdown rebuild involves a lot of moving parts: a builder, a certifier, possibly a town planner, utility providers, an asbestos removalist and a demolition crew. Most delays happen because something was done out of order, like booking the demolition before a character approval was confirmed or before the power was disconnected. Here is the sequence that tends to work in Brisbane.

Step 1: Check what you can do with the block

Before you fall for a house design, search your address in Brisbane City Council's City Plan online mapping. Look for:

The Traditional building character overlay, which matters if your house was built in 1946 or earlier
Heritage overlays or Queensland Heritage Register listings
Flood overlays, which can set minimum floor levels
Easements, sewer mains and stormwater pipes running through the block
Zoning, which affects what kind of home, or how many dwellings, you can build

A FloodWise Property Report tells you more about flood levels. Outside Brisbane, the Logan, Moreton Bay or Redland planning schemes apply instead.

Step 2: Confirm the house can come down

If the house is in the character overlay and was built in 1946 or earlier, you will generally need development approval from council to demolish it. That is a separate, longer process, and approval isn't guaranteed. If the house was built after 1946, you may need to show evidence of the construction date. Settle this before signing a building contract.

Step 3: Choose a builder and design

Your builder will usually want to see the block, the overlays and a survey before finalising plans and price. Ask early how they want the site handed over and when they will need it.

Step 4: Get an asbestos inspection

If the house was built before 1990, arrange a pre-demolition asbestos survey. It tells you what needs removing and lets your demolition quote reflect the real scope. Doing it early avoids surprises later.

Step 5: Get demolition quotes

With the asbestos report in hand, ask for itemised demolition quotes. Check whether they include asbestos removal, stump and slab removal, service disconnections and full site clearing. Confirm the demolition contractor holds the right QBCC licence class.

Step 6: Lodge the demolition approval

A private building certifier issues the building approval for the demolition. Your demolition contractor, builder or certifier can explain who lodges it. If council development approval was needed, it must be in place first.

Step 7: Arrange service disconnections

This step often takes longer than expected. You will need:

Power permanently disconnected through Energex, usually requested via your electricity retailer
Water and sewer capped in line with Urban Utilities requirements, or your local water provider outside Brisbane
Gas disconnected by your gas provider, if connected
NBN and phone services disconnected

Start these several weeks before the planned demolition date.

Step 8: Move out and remove the asbestos

Once you have moved out, the licensed removalist takes out the asbestos, and a clearance inspection confirms the site is safe for demolition.

Step 9: Demolish and clear

The house is taken down in a controlled order, stumps and slabs are removed, materials are sorted for recycling where practical, and the site is cleared and graded. Agree beforehand on anything that should stay, such as trees, fences or the driveway crossover.

Step 10: Hand over to the builder

With the block clear, the builder can arrange the site survey and soil testing and get construction under way. Keep your asbestos clearance and waste disposal records, as your builder or certifier may ask for them.

Realistic timing

Steps one to eight usually take far longer than the physical demolition, which on a typical house may be days rather than weeks. Character approvals, where needed, can add months. Leave a healthy buffer between your planned demolition date and your builder's start.

Common mistakes

Signing a building contract before confirming the house can be demolished
Leaving service disconnections until the last minute
Skipping the asbestos survey and getting a surprise mid-job
Not agreeing on what stays on the block, such as trees or fences
Assuming a quote covers stumps, slabs and tanks without checking

Our knockdown rebuild demolition service page and house demolition cost guide go into more detail on both the work and the budget.

Knockdown Rebuild in Brisbane: A Step-by-Step Guide