Decks and Outdoor Living Thomastown
Thomastown Backyards,
Brought to Life
Decks, pergolas and alfresco areas in Thomastown and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, clear pricing, built to last.
Your Thomastown Outdoor Space, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been crafting decks and outdoor living spaces in Thomastown 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 Thomastown Homes
Thomastown backyards are typically flat with room for a vegetable garden, fruit trees, a shed and a concrete patio, and many families entertain outdoors regularly. Older homes often have a basic flat-roofed pergola or bare concrete outside the back door that gets hot in summer. Side driveways often run the full length of the block, giving good access for building.
Common Thomastown outdoor projects include decks and roofed alfresco areas off the kitchen, replacement pergolas, outdoor kitchens and lighting, and paved paths and garden beds. We also level and drain the yard so water moves away from the house. Covered areas and decks can need a building permit, depending on size and position, and we confirm the requirements with the City of Whittlesea before we start.
Thomastown at a Glance
- Postcode
- Thomastown VIC 3074
- Council
- City of Whittlesea
- From the CBD
- About 15 km north
- Typical Homes
- Postwar brick veneer homes
- 1960s and 1970s triple-fronted homes
- Units and townhouses
- Newer infill homes
- Property Market
- Median house price$789,000
- Median unit price$607,500
- House rent$550 a week
- Unit rent$480 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Planning an Outdoor Area in Thomastown
Structure
Old Pergolas and Vine Frames
Some Thomastown yards have an old steel or timber pergola frame, or a flat roof of corrugated sheet. Some are worth keeping and some are rusted through. We check the posts and footings, then either strengthen the frame, roof part of it, or replace it with a new structure that still leaves space for the vine.
Drainage
Decking Over the Old Concrete Yard
Large concrete yards are common behind Thomastown homes. A low deck can often sit on the slab with packers and a frame, as long as water can still drain. Where the slab is cracked or slopes toward the house, we may need to cut it for footings. We assess it before quoting.
Design
Barbecues and Wood-Fired Ovens
Thomastown families often cook outside, from barbecues to wood-fired ovens. An outdoor kitchen under a roof needs a bench that handles heat, a sink with a proper drain, weatherproof power and, if gas is used, a licensed gas fitter. We plan these services when the roof and deck are designed.
Shade
Afternoon Sun
Flat, open Thomastown blocks get full western sun in summer, which makes bare concrete and timber hot by late afternoon. A solid insulated roof, a screen on the western side or a roof that extends well past the deck edge can keep the area usable. We look at the yard’s orientation before choosing a design.
Permits
When a Permit Is Needed
A deck more than 800 mm above the ground, or a roofed structure attached to the house, generally needs a building permit. Thomastown homes on stumps often have back doors that sit high off the ground, so the deck can reach that height quickly. We check this, along with boundary setbacks, before you commit.
Get a Free Outdoor Space Estimate in Thomastown
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Thomastown 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 Thomastown
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 Thomastown 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 Thomastown
Thomastown (3074) is about 15 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We build decks, pergolas and outdoor living areas in Thomastown and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Decks and Outdoor Living MelbourneDo I need a permit for a deck or pergola in Thomastown?
It depends on height, size and position. Decks more than 800 mm above the ground and roofed structures attached to the house generally need a building permit. Structures near boundaries have extra rules. We check your plans against the requirements and confirm with the City of Whittlesea before building.
Can we keep our grapevine and replace the pergola?
Often, yes. Vines can be cut back and trained onto a new frame once it is built, or the new roof can be designed to cover only part of the area so the vine keeps its sun. We plan the timing around the season so the vine has the best chance of recovering.
Can you build an outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired oven?
We can build the roofed area, benches, sink, power and gas connection, and leave a suitable base and clearances for an oven or barbecue. Wood-fired ovens need distance from timber and roof sheeting, and a flue that clears the roof. We plan these details so the area is safe to use.
Is it worth improving the backyard before selling or leasing a Thomastown home?
A tidy, safe outdoor area helps. In Thomastown, many yards have rusty pergolas, cracked concrete and uneven paths that buyers and tenants notice straight away. Removing failing structures, repairing trip hazards and adding simple shade is often more useful than a large new deck. Make sure any roofed structure you add has the right building permit.
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.