Decks and Outdoor Living Whittlesea
Whittlesea Backyards,
Brought to Life
Decks, pergolas and alfresco areas in Whittlesea and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, clear pricing, built to last.
Your Whittlesea Outdoor Space, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been crafting decks and outdoor living spaces in Whittlesea 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 Whittlesea Homes
Outdoor living in Whittlesea often means wide verandahs, large gardens and views across paddocks towards the ranges, with plenty of space but exposure to sun, wind and bushfire risk. Estate homes on the township’s edges have smaller backyards that need shade and privacy, while many rural owners want covered areas facing the view.
Typical outdoor projects here include large decks and verandahs, roofed entertaining areas and outdoor kitchens, materials suited to bushfire prone areas, and paved courtyards on smaller blocks. Fans, lighting and outdoor heating extend the season. Decks and roofed structures can need a building permit, and bushfire controls may apply, so we confirm requirements with the City of Whittlesea before we start.
Whittlesea at a Glance
- Postcode
- Whittlesea VIC 3757
- Council
- City of Whittlesea
- From the CBD
- About 36 km north
- Typical Homes
- Older township weatherboards and brick homes
- Farmhouses and rural lifestyle properties
- New estate homes on the township edge
- Homes with outbuildings on acreage
- Property Market
- Median house price$810,000
- Median unit price$453,850
- House rent$565 a week
- Unit rent$460 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Planning Decks and Verandahs in Whittlesea
Bushfire
Building to the BAL Rating
Where a Whittlesea property is in a Bushfire Prone Area, a deck or verandah attached to the house generally has to be built to the home’s BAL rating. Higher ratings can rule out some timbers, call for non-combustible framing and set rules for enclosing the space under the deck. We confirm the BAL before choosing any materials.
Structure
Rebuilding Farmhouse Verandahs
Verandahs on older Whittlesea farmhouses and township homes often have rotted posts, sagging beams and timber floors sitting close to the ground. Rebuilding them with matching profiles, galvanised post stirrups and better airflow underneath keeps the look while fixing the cause. Where a Heritage Overlay applies, we confirm which changes need a permit.
Fire Safety
Leaves, Debris and Clear Space
On rural Whittlesea properties, decks surrounded by garden beds or near trees collect leaves and debris against the house. Keeping a clear area around the deck, using non-combustible materials near ground level and enclosing the underside with ember-resistant mesh make maintenance and fire preparation easier. We also plan safe access underneath.
Shade
Wind Across Open Land
Open paddocks around Whittlesea leave many outdoor areas exposed to strong winds and hot western sun. Side screens, louvres and a solid insulated roof on the weather side make a deck usable more often. Roofs must be tied down to suit the site’s wind classification, which the engineer sets as part of the design.
Slope
Decks Well Off the Ground
Some Whittlesea homes sit on gently sloping blocks or high stumps, so a deck at floor level can end up well above 800 mm at its outer edge. That generally means a building permit, engineered footings and balustrades. We measure heights across the whole deck area, not only at the back door, before confirming the design.
Get a Free Outdoor Space Estimate in Whittlesea
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Whittlesea 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 Whittlesea
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 Whittlesea 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 Whittlesea
Whittlesea (3757) is about 36 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We build decks, pergolas and outdoor living areas in Whittlesea 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 BAL assessment for a deck in Whittlesea?
If your property is in a Bushfire Prone Area, the building permit for an attached deck will generally require a BAL rating. Some properties already have one from when the house was built or extended. If not, an assessment is arranged before materials are chosen. We check your address so the deck is designed to the right rating.
Can I enclose my Whittlesea verandah for extra living space?
Possibly. Enclosing a verandah to make a room means it must meet the requirements for habitable spaces, including insulation, glazing and ventilation, and it generally needs a building permit. In a Heritage Overlay or the Bushfire Management Overlay, a planning permit may also apply. We check the controls before any design work.
What decking timber suits Whittlesea’s climate?
Whittlesea has frosty winters and hot, dry summers, so decking needs to cope with movement and strong UV. Durable hardwoods, treated pine for framing and composite boards are all options, but the BAL rating may limit the choice. We recommend materials once we know the site’s rating and the look you want.
Our Whittlesea deck is old. Should we replace it before leasing?
Tenants need a safe outdoor area, so rotten boards, loose balustrades or failing stairs should be repaired before a lease starts. If the frame and footings are sound, new boards and balustrades may be enough. Replacing the whole deck means building to the property’s BAL rating if it is bushfire prone, which can lengthen the timeline.
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.