Decks and Outdoor Living Deepdene
Deepdene Backyards,
Brought to Life
Decks, pergolas and alfresco areas in Deepdene and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, clear pricing, built to last.
Your Deepdene Outdoor Space, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been crafting decks and outdoor living spaces in Deepdene 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 Deepdene Homes
Deepdene’s blocks often have established backyards with mature trees, and many homes have a small original verandah or a paved area from an earlier extension. Some lots fall gently from the house, and Deepdene Park and the Outer Circle Trail give parts of the suburb a green outlook that is worth making the most of.
Outdoor projects here usually involve building decks that sit level with new rear living areas, designing pergolas and covered alfresco areas that suit interwar homes, working around mature trees and adding screening for privacy. Decks and roofed structures often need a building permit, and heritage or tree controls can apply, so we confirm requirements with the City of Boroondara before starting.
Deepdene at a Glance
- Postcode
- Deepdene VIC 3103
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 9 km east
- Typical Homes
- Interwar brick bungalows
- Federation and Edwardian houses
- Postwar homes
- Newer two-storey houses
- Property Market
- Median house price$3,300,000
- Median unit price$941,000
- House rent$1,100 a week
- Unit rent$600 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Planning a Deck or Outdoor Area in Deepdene
Trees
Protected Canopy Trees
Boroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law covers canopy trees on private land above a set size, and many Deepdene gardens have one close to where a deck would go. Footings within the root zone may need a permit and an arborist’s input. Screw piles, footings placed between roots and a deck that steps around the trunk are common solutions.
Slope
Gentle Falls in the Yard
Where a Deepdene block falls gently away from the house, a deck can be level with the back door yet well above the ground at its outer edge. Once a deck is more than 800 mm above the ground, or attached to the house, a building permit is generally needed, along with balustrades. We measure the levels before design.
Design
Pergolas That Suit a Bungalow
A pergola on an interwar bungalow looks best with a roof pitch, posts and colours that relate to the house, rather than a flat roof that cuts across the eaves. Timber posts, a gable or skillion form and a polycarbonate or louvred roof are all options. We sketch the pergola against your Deepdene house before you decide.
Materials
Boards and Leaf Litter
Deepdene’s mature trees drop leaves and twigs onto decks and into pergola gutters through much of the year. Boards with gaps that let debris fall through, a deck height that allows cleaning underneath and leaf guards on pergola gutters reduce maintenance. Composite boards resist staining from leaves better than untreated timber does.
Outdoor
Planning the Deck With the Extension
In a Deepdene renovation that adds rear living, the deck is best designed at the same time, so floor levels, doors and drainage line up. A deck added later often ends up with a step or a gap at the threshold. We coordinate the deck with the extension so rain drains away from the house and the step out is minimal.
Get a Free Outdoor Space Estimate in Deepdene
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Deepdene 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 Deepdene
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 Deepdene 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 Deepdene
Deepdene (3103) is about 9 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We build decks, pergolas and outdoor living areas in Deepdene 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 Deepdene?
Generally, decks more than 800 mm above the ground or attached to the house need a building permit, and many roofed pergolas do too. Work near a protected tree may need a permit under Boroondara’s local law, and in a Heritage Overlay a structure visible from the street may need a planning permit. We check all three.
Can we build a deck under a large tree in Deepdene?
Often, yes, with care. Footings are placed to avoid major roots, the deck may step around the trunk, and the frame sits high enough to leave the soil and roots undisturbed. If the tree is protected, a permit and an arborist’s report may be needed. Falling leaves and branches also affect board and roof choices.
What decking lasts best in a leafy Deepdene garden?
Durable hardwoods such as spotted gum or merbau, or composite boards, cope well with shade and leaf litter. Good airflow under the deck, gaps between boards and stainless or galvanised fixings help the frame last. Shaded decks can grow moss, so a board with some surface texture is safer underfoot in winter.
We’re selling our Deepdene bungalow. Should we add a deck?
A new deck isn’t usually needed, but a tidy, safe outdoor area helps buyers see how the garden can be used. Repairing or oiling an existing deck, fixing loose boards and balustrades, pruning trees and refreshing paths all make a difference. A new deck and pergola involve permits and lead time, so they suit owners who will be around to enjoy them.
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.