Decks and Outdoor Living Ashwood
Ashwood Backyards,
Brought to Life
Decks, pergolas and alfresco areas in Ashwood and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, clear pricing, built to last.
Your Ashwood Outdoor Space, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been crafting decks and outdoor living spaces in Ashwood and throughout Melbourne for over 20 years. Since 2002, our family-run business has helped homeowners unlock the full potential of their backyards, creating stylish, functional and inviting spaces for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Love our new deck!
“My experience with Smarter Home Renovations has been very positive. I love that it is a family business. Tony and Milan work together very well. They are professional, polite, considerate, they work really hard and they do a great job! I am very happy with their work and highly recommend them.”
Kitchen and outdoor renovations
“Fantastic service and fantastic price. We had our outdoor area fully tiled and our kitchen renovated. They talked me through the process step by step, did what they promised in the time they promised, were always on time and so very friendly. They even went out of their way with additional extras, running around Melbourne buying everything I needed to take the pressure off me. Would recommend you give them a try. The pricing is very reasonable and affordable, and nothing was too big for them to do. Father and son service, fantastic team.”
Outstanding Customer Service
“Absolute pleasure dealing with Tony and his team. His customer service was without a doubt, outstanding! Punctual, always on time, workmanship could not be faulted. He delivered on what he promised and on time. We would not hesitate recommending his services!”
Outdoor Living in Ashwood Homes
Ashwood’s family homes usually sit on flat, generous blocks with established backyards, but many still have a small concrete patio or an old timber deck that has seen better days. Units and townhouses have smaller courtyards where every square metre counts.
Common outdoor projects here include new timber or composite decks off the living area, roofed alfresco areas and pergolas for year-round use, and compact courtyard decks for units. Some decks and roofed structures need a building permit, so we confirm the requirements with the City of Monash before we start.
Ashwood at a Glance
- Postcode
- Ashwood VIC 3147
- Council
- City of Monash
- From the CBD
- About 13 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- 1950s and 1960s brick veneer homes
- Postwar weatherboard homes
- Housing Commission houses near the railway
- Units
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,400,000
- Median unit price$1,050,000
- House rent$685 a week
- Unit rent$710 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Build a Deck in Ashwood
Structure
Replacing a Tired Deck
Timber decks added to Ashwood homes decades ago often have stumps in damp soil, rusted bolts and boards that have cupped or split. If the frame is rotten, new boards only hide the problem for a while. We check the bearers, joists and footings, then recommend a repair or a rebuild with proper ventilation underneath.
Trees
Working Around Big Trees
Mature gardens are common in Ashwood, and deck footings dug near a large tree can damage its roots. Monash controls may also require a permit to remove or heavily prune a larger canopy tree. We place footings around the main roots and choose a deck shape that works with the trees you want to keep.
Design
Small Unit Courtyards
Ashwood’s units often have a small paved courtyard off the living room. A low deck with built-in storage seats, a slimline pergola and planter boxes can make it feel like an outdoor room. Owners corporation consent may be needed for structures on common property, so we check the plan of subdivision first.
Permits
Roofed Alfresco Areas
A roofed alfresco area attached to an Ashwood house generally needs a building permit, and the new roof has to tie into the existing eaves and gutters without causing leaks. We design the roof pitch and drainage, organise the permit and check setbacks from the boundaries before construction starts.
Drainage
Low-Lying Yards
Homes near Gardiners Creek and in lower parts of Ashwood can see water flow across the yard in heavy rain. A deck shouldn’t block that flow or trap water against the house, and where a flood overlay applies, approval may be needed before building. We plan the deck levels and stormwater drainage before construction.
Get a Free Outdoor Space Estimate in Ashwood
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Ashwood home.
- 1Tell us about your project
Two quick steps. It takes about two minutes.
- 2We call you back
Tony will be in touch within one business day to talk through your ideas.
- 3Free on-site consultation
We visit, measure up and listen to how you want the space to work.
- 4Fixed-price quote
A detailed, itemised quote. What we quote is what you pay.
No obligation, no pressure
Family-run since 2002. Your estimate is free and your details are never shared with third parties.
Your Decks and Outdoor Living in Ashwood
Decks & Decking
Hardwood, spotted gum, merbau or composite decking, designed to your site's specific conditions, council requirements, and your personal style.
Pergolas & Roof Systems
Freestanding and attached pergolas, louvred roof systems, and shade sails, giving you a covered outdoor space you can use year-round.
Alfresco & Patio Areas
Concreted, paved or tiled alfresco areas integrated with your home, designed to complement your architecture and maximise usable space.
Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ
Built-in BBQ benches, outdoor sinks, bar fridges and cabinetry: everything you need to make entertaining in your backyard effortless.
Privacy Screens & Fencing
Timber battens, steel screens and feature walls that give you privacy from neighbours without sacrificing the look of your outdoor space.
Lighting & Electrical
Deck lighting, downlights under pergolas, weatherproof power points and garden lighting, all installed by licensed electricians.
Your Ashwood Outdoor Space in 5 Steps
Meet & Greet
We get to know you and your specific needs. And you find out more about us to make sure we are a good fit.
Consult & Design
We ask lots of questions to understand your ideal outcome for your project. We discuss layout, budget, colours and more.
Quote
A comprehensive quotation outlining all the details, costs and timelines to complete your project.
Construct & Manage
Time to get to work with all our suppliers and trades to construct your project and deliver it as promised.
Deliver
We strive to deliver your project on time and on budget. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Decks and Outdoor Living In and Around Ashwood
Ashwood (3147) is about 13 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We build decks, pergolas and outdoor living areas in Ashwood and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Decks and Outdoor Living MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Do I need a permit for a deck in Ashwood?
A deck more than 800 mm above ground or attached to the house generally needs a building permit, as do most roofed structures. A low freestanding deck may not, but setbacks and site coverage still apply, and flood controls may affect some Ashwood properties near the creek. We confirm the requirements with the City of Monash before starting.
Timber or composite for an Ashwood deck?
Both work. Hardwoods such as spotted gum or blackbutt look natural but need regular oiling, while composite boards need less maintenance and resist rot in shaded spots under trees. If leaves fall onto the deck from an established Ashwood garden, smoother boards are easier to sweep. Samples brought to your yard make the choice easier.
Can a pergola be added to an existing deck in Ashwood?
Often, if the deck frame and footings can carry the extra load. A pergola usually needs its own footings and, if it has a roof, a building permit. Older decks on Ashwood’s established blocks sometimes need strengthening first. We inspect the existing structure and tell you whether it can support a pergola as it is.
Is it worth replacing our Ashwood deck before we sell?
Buyers and their building inspectors check decks closely, and soft boards, loose balustrades or rotten steps will be noted in a report. If the frame is sound, replacing damaged boards, tightening fixings and re-oiling may be enough for a tired Ashwood deck. A full rebuild before sale makes sense mainly when the structure itself is failing.
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
No matter the project, our team has the right solution. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let's get your renovation underway.