Home Renovations Balaclava
Balaclava Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Balaclava and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Balaclava 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 Balaclava.
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 Balaclava
Balaclava is mostly made up of interwar flats, Victorian and Edwardian cottages and villas, and newer apartment blocks near the railway station and Carlisle Street. Houses sit on small blocks with narrow side passages and little room to extend outward, so renovations here focus on using space better rather than adding a lot of it.
Renovations here often reconfigure cottage layouts around open living at the rear, add small rear or attic extensions where heritage controls allow, fully renovate interwar flats, and upgrade insulation, glazing and heating. Heritage overlays cover parts of the suburb, so we confirm City of Port Phillip planning requirements early, and in flats we work with your owners corporation.
Balaclava at a Glance
- Postcode
- Balaclava VIC 3183
- Council
- City of Port Phillip
- From the CBD
- About 7 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Interwar and Art Deco flats
- Victorian and Edwardian cottages
- Apartments
- Edwardian villas
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,466,000
- Median unit price$582,000
- House rent$975 a week
- Unit rent$580 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Renovate a Home in Balaclava
Heritage
Heritage Controls and the HO7 Review
A large City of Port Phillip heritage precinct, HO7, covers parts of Balaclava along with Elwood, St Kilda and Ripponlea, and council has been reviewing it, with proposed smaller precincts and interim controls. If your home is in or near a precinct, extensions and visible external changes usually need a planning permit. We check the current controls for your address first.
Neighbours
Small Blocks and Boundary Walls
Balaclava houses sit on small lots, often with a narrow side passage and walls close to or on the boundary. Rear extensions need to meet rules on overshadowing and overlooking, and works near a neighbour’s wall may involve protection work notices under Victorian building regulations. Planning this early keeps the project moving and neighbours informed.
Structure
Restumping Weatherboard Cottages
Balaclava has more small detached weatherboard houses than much of the old St Kilda area, and many still sit on old timber or concrete stumps. Sloping floors, sticking doors and cracked plaster can point to stumps that need replacing. Restumping is best done before a new kitchen or bathroom goes in, so floors and cabinets start level.
Apartments
Renovating a Whole Flat at Once
A full renovation of a Balaclava interwar flat usually covers the kitchen, bathroom, floors, lighting and wiring together. Doing it in one stage means one owners corporation approval, one set of work hours and one period of disruption for neighbours. We plan the order of work so wet areas, electrical work and flooring are properly coordinated.
Windows
Train and Traffic Noise
Homes close to the Sandringham line through Balaclava hear passing trains, and those near Carlisle Street or Hotham Street also get traffic noise. Double glazing or secondary glazing on the street or railway side, sealed gaps and insulated walls make a noticeable difference. In heritage areas, new front windows may need to keep the original style.
Insulation
Warmer Interwar Brick Flats
Brick interwar flats in Balaclava stay cool in summer but can be cold and damp in winter, with no added wall insulation and single glazed windows. Ceiling insulation where there is roof access, draught sealing, efficient heating and new glazing are common upgrades. Top floor flats usually gain the most from roof insulation, and ground floor flats from sealing floors.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Balaclava
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Balaclava 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 Balaclava
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 Balaclava 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 Balaclava
Home Renovations In and Around Balaclava
Balaclava (3183) is about 7 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Balaclava and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can I extend my Balaclava cottage in a heritage area?
Usually, yes, if the extension sits behind the original house and is designed to be less visible from the street. In a City of Port Phillip heritage overlay a planning permit is generally needed, and council looks at height, setbacks and materials. Single storey rear additions and modest attic rooms are often the most straightforward options.
Is my Balaclava flat covered by a heritage overlay?
Some interwar flats in Balaclava are graded significant in the City of Port Phillip’s heritage review, such as Sheffield Manor and Wansbeck, and others sit within heritage precincts. Overlays mainly control external changes, so internal work in a flat is rarely affected. Changes to windows, balconies or the facade may need a planning permit.
Can we live in our Balaclava home during a renovation?
It depends on the scope. In a cottage, the front rooms often stay usable while we work at the back, with the area sealed off. A full flat renovation is harder to live through because the kitchen and bathroom are both out of use, so many owners stay elsewhere for part of the job. We give you a staged timeline up front.
Which renovations make sense before selling or leasing a Balaclava home?
With so many flats and small cottages in Balaclava, buyers and tenants often weigh up several similar homes in the same few streets. Fresh paint, repaired floors, working heating and a clean kitchen and bathroom usually matter more than an extension. Projects needing heritage permits or owners corporation approval take time, so check timing before committing to a sale or lease date.
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.