When Alf and Lillian Tornatore bought their old house and Canada Bay eleven years ago they always intended to renovate or knock down and rebuild. It was an old 60s, two bedroom, red brick home that would no longer be suitable for their growing family with young children Jordan, Angelina and Sarina as well as of course the family cat Cleo.

"We tossed around both ideas for some time but finally decided that it would make more sense financially to knock down and rebuild. But we still had to find a design we liked and would suit our block of land.

"Having heard so much about HomeWorld at Kellyville we went to the village and looked at a number of builders display homes. There is a lot of design choices there, it was quite a revelation to see the village.

"We also did our own research with independent architects. Then we came across Rawson Homes who had a sign out the front, specialists in narrow block homes," said Lillian.

The Tornatores went in to see the Kareela design and were advised that with very few adjustments it could fit on their block. The rest is history as the saying goes!

"It was such a nice home and I realised both of us were sitting in the Kareela media room looking at each other both thinking - I can't believe that this home will fit on our block! It was really at this point we made up our minds, let's do a knock down rebuild with Rawsons," said Alf.

"I can't believe that this home will fit on our block! It was really at this point we made up our minds, let's do a knock down rebuild with Rawsons"

Alf and Lillian decided to build with Rawson Homes because they specialised in narrow blocks and they really liked the Kareela design. They also said they trusted the people they were dealing, with an important aspect when buying a new home.

"All the way through from initially signing, right through to the handing over of our new home keys, everyone we dealt with was professional and courteous. We couldn't be happier with Rawson.

"Being a busy family, with three children under four years and a husband who travels for work, we needed a reliable builder with helpful staff to get us through this huge project successfully. Rawson did exactly that for us," said Lillian.

Both Alf and Lillian found the Rawson people very good to deal with throughout.

"Anne Bishop helped with administration and the council process and helped us with our many queries regarding financial matters. Daniel Morrissey enthusiastically assisted us implement our many variations with the home design and at the conceptual stage.

"Our site supervisor Greg Seymour patiently took us through the construction stage to the handover. He immediately won our total confidence with his straight forward approach and keen attention to detail, answering our silliest questions with a smile. Greg was an absolute legend," Lillian continued.

The Kareela was built in full brick construction and the Tornatores made a number of changes including the foyer, kitchen and living areas, powder room and laundry area and the balcony. They also added an undercover outdoor barbecue patio for entertaining.

Their two storey home has five bedrooms plus a media room and two bathrooms and three toilets ensuring the family has plenty of living space now and into the future. They took the opportunity to have feature walls throughout the home and made sure they had what we all want, plenty of storage areas!

"We love our entire home. It's open, spacious and practical with lots and lots of storage space. We chose a traditional Federation face brick external finish which blends in with the other federation homes in the street.

"Would we do it all again? I have to honestly say yes. You always hear about nightmare stories with rebuilding  and that made us very wary and scared of the whole idea of knocking down and rebuilding. But really we are a true testament to having a great experience with the building of our home.

"Many of our friends are in the building trade and all have commented on how nice our home is and the great workmanship throughout," Lillian concluded.

To discover the many advantages of the knockdown and rebuild approach to achieving your dream home in your ideal suburb, visit the HomeWorld Display Village – Kellyville and speak to the many builders with homes on display.

The village is at Kellyville, up the Windsor Road, off Samantha Riley Drive.

For more information phone the HomeWorld InfoLine on (02) 9629 4822 or visit the website www.homeworld.com.au