Knockdown & Rebuilds in Point Pleasant NJ

Planning Knockdown and Rebuilds in Point Pleasant NJ, Manasquan, Lavallette, or the surrounding area, starts with a hard truth: you’re usually buying a home for the land. Most older cottages here are undersized, damp, and don’t meet current FEMA flood codes.

Renovating them is often a financial trap. Once you factor in structural repairs and upgrades, you often spend more than the cost of a new build.

A Knockdown and Rebuild is the smarter investment, and we handle the entire process:

• Demolition & Permits: We secure all township approvals and coastal CAFRA permits.
• Utility Disconnects: We manage the gas, electric, and sewer cut-offs.
• Demolition: We tear down the old house and clean the site.
• Construction: We build a new custom home on your lot.

We’re based at the Jersey Shore, but we manage knockdown projects across New Jersey for clients who want a fresh start.

Custom Home Building & Rebuilds

We don’t just knock the old house down; we design the new one to fit the specific constraints of your lot. In towns like Point Pleasant Beach, you’re often working with tight Lot Coverage limits and strict Zoning Setbacks. We design custom homes that maximize your square footage without getting rejected by the township.

• FEMA Compliant Construction: We build new homes above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to lower your flood insurance premiums.
• Coastal Materials: We use impact-rated windows, stainless steel fasteners, Hardie siding, and composite decking that stand up to salt air and nor’easters.
• Energy Efficiency: New builds are framed with 2×6 construction and upgraded insulation packages that older cottages can’t match.

The Knockdown & Rebuild Process

Tearing down a house in a dense neighborhood like Manasquan, Lavallette, or Bay Head requires surgical precision. You can’t just swing a wrecking ball when the neighbor’s house is 10 feet away.

1. Feasibility Study: Before you buy the land (or knock down the house), we verify what you’re legally allowed to build. We check the zoning map, impervious surface limits, and height restrictions.
2. Architectural Design & Planning: We’re a full-service Design-Build firm. We work with you to create custom floor plans and 3D renderings that maximize your lot’s potential. We also perform soil testing to see if your new home needs helical piles or a reinforced spread footing.
3. Utility Disconnects: We coordinate early with JCP&L, NJ Natural Gas, and the local sewer department to cap the lines safely at the street.
4. Demolition & Site Clear: We mechanically demolish the structure, remove the foundation, and cart away all debris.
5. The New Foundation: Once the site is clean, we pour the new foundation or install pilings immediately.
6. Framing & Weatherproofing: Speed matters at the Jersey Shore. We frame the structure and install the roof sheathing quickly to make the house “weather-tight.” We use hurricane straps and structural tie-downs to meet current wind codes.
7. Mechanical Rough-Ins: While the siding goes on, our plumbers, electricians, and HVAC pros work inside. We schedule township inspections immediately after they finish so we can close up the walls without delay.
8. Interior & Exterior Finishes: We install low-maintenance vinyl, cedar shake, or Hardie siding that stands up to salt air. Inside, we handle everything from the insulation and drywall to the final custom trim and tile work.
9. Final CO (Certificate of Occupancy): The job isn’t done until you can move in. We manage the final building, fire, and plumbing inspections to secure your Certificate of Occupancy from the town.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knockdown Rebuilds

If you own land in Ocean or Monmouth County, you probably have specific questions about variances, costs, and summer construction rules. Here are the honest answers.

How much does it cost to demolish a house in Ocean County?

For a typical single-story shore cottage, demolition usually costs between $20,000 and $30,000. This includes the mechanical takedown, foundation removal, and trucking the debris to the landfill. If your home has asbestos siding or pipe wrap, you’ll need a specialized abatement team, which can add $2,000 to $5,000 to the cost. We include these line items clearly in your initial proposal so there are no surprises.

Can we build during the summer in Point Pleasant Beach?

It depends on your street. In towns like Point Pleasant Beach (specifically east of Ocean Ave) and Manasquan, there are Summer construction bans from Memorial Day to Labor Day to reduce noise for tourists. However, we can often schedule interior work (plumbing, electric, drywall) during these months since it doesn’t violate noise ordinances. We plan your build schedule around these blackout dates to avoid fines and delays.

Do I need a variance to build on my old footprint?

Sometimes. Many older homes in Bay Head, Lavallette, or Ortley Beach, are “non-conforming,” meaning they are built too close to the property line by today’s standards. If you want to rebuild on that exact footprint, you may need a Zoning Variance. We review your town’s specific zoning map during our Feasibility Study to determine if we can build “By Right” or if we need to appear before the town board.

How long does a Knockdown-Rebuild take from start to finish?

Realistically, you’re looking at 12 to 18 months. The actual construction of a custom home takes about 10-12 months. However, the pre-construction phase—which includes demolition permits, utility disconnects (JCP&L/NJ Gas), and CAFRA approvals—can take 3 to 6 months depending on the town’s backlog. We provide a conservative timeline upfront so you can plan your living arrangements accordingly.

Service Areas

Gambrick Construction is proudly based in Point Pleasant, NJ. To maintain our high standards of quality control and daily site supervision, our core service area focuses on the coastal communities of Monmouth and Ocean County.

Statewide Projects: While our daily operations are concentrated along the Jersey Shore, we accept select large-scale custom home and renovation projects throughout New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex, and Mercer Counties, on a case-by-case basis.

Ready to Get Started? Let’s talk about how we can help.

Call 732-892-1386 or contact us online today.