Home Renovations Ashburton
Ashburton Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Ashburton and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Ashburton Home, Done Properly
Hi, I’m Tony Simonovski, owner and founder of our family-run business, Smarter Home Renovations. Established in early 2002, we have over 20 years of professional experience in carpentry, construction, design and home renovations in Ashburton.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Exceptional service at reasonable prices!
“We can't recommend Tony and his team enough and we're very grateful for their service. From the onset of the quote, Tony was very professional and clear about what was included. The team were prompt, tidy and the quality of the workmanship was excellent. We will definitely be using Tony and the team again for future renovations.”
Great Experience
“I really can't say enough good things about Smarter Home Renovations! Tony and Milan were wonderful to deal with. They explained every detail of the process and were very responsive with the questions I had along the way. Their attention to detail was outstanding and they really worked hard to make it a great experience for me. Workmanship was great quality, their work ethic was solid and presentation was very professional. I'm extremely pleased with my renovations and would not hesitate to recommend their workmanship. Thanks again.”
Professional all the way
“We initially talked to Smarter Home Renovations due to their reputation and experience. Plus we were referred to them through someone who had already updated their laundry and they were rapt. Tony was personable, a good listener and made sure he understood our needs. He was very flexible in negotiations, ensuring a win-win outcome. The team were highly professional and excellent communicators making sure the work was completed on schedule and to budget. We now have an attractive and spacious family home which we have no intention of leaving! My wife and I would not hesitate to recommend Tony from Smarter Home Renovations.”
Renovating Homes in Ashburton
Ashburton’s streets mix interwar bungalows near the railway, the postwar Housing Commission estate around Alamein with street names such as Victory Boulevard and Tobruk Road, and brick and weatherboard homes on decent blocks, with the High Street shops and Gardiners Creek close by and plenty of townhouse infill. Original homes tend to be single-storey with small rooms and one bathroom, which makes them strong candidates for extending rather than replacing.
Common projects here are rear extensions with open kitchen and living, upstairs additions for extra bedrooms and a main suite, reworking dark central hallways, and upgrading insulation, glazing and heating and cooling. Extensions need a building permit, and some streets have heritage or flood overlays, so we confirm planning requirements with the City of Boroondara early.
Ashburton at a Glance
- Postcode
- Ashburton VIC 3147
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 12 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Interwar bungalows near the railway
- Former Housing Commission concrete and brick houses
- Postwar brick and weatherboard homes
- Townhouses and new double-storey homes
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,980,000
- Median unit price$984,000
- House rent$850 a week
- Unit rent$650 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For When Extending in Ashburton
Heritage
The Interwar Heritage Precinct
Parts of Ashburton near the railway are in the Great Glen Iris Railway Junction Estate precinct, a Heritage Overlay covering largely intact 1920s and 1930s houses. An extension there generally needs a planning permit, and additions are usually expected to sit back so the original house still reads from the street. We check your property’s grading first.
Flooding
Flood Overlays Near the Creek
Boroondara uses the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay along waterways such as Gardiners Creek, and the Special Building Overlay for overland stormwater flow. Where either applies, works generally need a planning permit and Melbourne Water consent, which can set a minimum floor level for an extension. We check VicPlan before design.
Structure
Extending a Concrete Commission House
Former Housing Commission homes in Ashburton, some built with concrete walls, can be extended, but joining new framing to concrete needs an engineer’s detail. Openings are cut rather than simply removed. Lining the original concrete walls with insulation on the inside is worth considering at the same time, because bare concrete feels cold in winter.
Trees
Boroondara’s Tree Protection Rules
Boroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law protects many large canopy trees on private land, so removing or pruning one for an extension may need a permit. Excavation and footings within a protected tree’s root zone are also controlled. We note significant trees on your block before deciding where the extension goes.
Design
Second Storey Additions
On standard Ashburton blocks, going up can keep the backyard intact. An upstairs addition needs the existing walls and footings checked by an engineer, a stair position that works with the ground floor, and attention to overlooking rules next to neighbours. In the heritage precinct, upper levels usually sit well back from the street.
Energy
Insulation and Heating
Ashburton homes from the 1940s and 1950s were built before insulation was required, and many still have single glazed windows and old gas wall heaters. Insulating the ceiling and floor, replacing draughty windows and adding efficient heating and cooling makes the original rooms as comfortable as the new extension.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Ashburton
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Ashburton 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 Home Renovations in Ashburton
Living Areas & Open Plan
Knock out walls, open up floor plans, upgrade flooring and lighting, transforming how your family uses the heart of your home.
Extensions & Additions
Need more space? We design and build home extensions that integrate seamlessly with your existing structure, inside and out.
Flooring & Finishes
Timber, tiles, polished concrete or carpet; we supply and install quality flooring, paired with painting and plastering to match.
Built-In Joinery
Custom wardrobes, entertainment units, bookshelves and storage walls, built to your exact dimensions and finished to a high standard.
Electrical & Lighting
Updated power points, new light fittings, downlights, dimmer switches and data cabling, all by licensed electricians.
Painting & Plastering
Interior and exterior painting, skim coating, patching and full repaint, finished with precision and cleaned up completely.
Your Ashburton Home 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.
Our Work Near Ashburton
Home Renovations In and Around Ashburton
Ashburton (3147) is about 12 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Ashburton and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Is my Ashburton home in a Heritage Overlay?
Only some of Ashburton is. The Great Glen Iris Railway Junction Estate precinct covers interwar streets near the railway, and some individual places are listed elsewhere. Your VicPlan property report shows any Heritage Overlay. If one applies, external changes such as extensions, demolition and some fences generally need a planning permit from the City of Boroondara.
Can I extend a former Housing Commission house in Ashburton?
Yes. The approach depends on how the house was built: brick and timber-framed houses are straightforward, while concrete wall houses need engineering for new openings and connections. We inspect the house, confirm what it is built from and design the extension to suit, with the details set out in a fixed-price written quote.
Does a flood overlay stop me extending in Ashburton?
No, but it adds steps. Where a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay or Special Building Overlay applies, a planning permit and Melbourne Water consent are generally needed, and the new floor may have to sit above a set flood level. We get that advice early so the design and floor heights work from the start.
Can we live in our Ashburton home during an extension?
For a rear extension, usually yes for most of the build, with the front rooms in use while we work behind a sealed partition. A second storey addition is harder because the roof is opened and the ceilings below are disturbed, so many families move out for part of it. We talk this through at the planning stage.
Should we renovate before selling our Ashburton house, or sell as is?
That depends on the house and the buyers you expect. For a sound original home, repairs, painting, new floor coverings and a tidy garden help it present well without a major project. Major work before a sale adds time, permits and risk. Your agent can tell you what local buyers are looking for, and we can price targeted repairs.
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.