Home Renovations Balwyn
Balwyn Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Balwyn and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Balwyn 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 Balwyn.
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 Balwyn
Balwyn’s quiet, leafy streets are lined with Californian bungalows, English Revival and other interwar homes, solid postwar brick houses and, increasingly, newer double-storey homes. Blocks are generous by Melbourne standards, and many older homes were built for a different way of living, with formal rooms at the front and small kitchens and bathrooms.
That shapes how we approach home renovations in Balwyn: opening up the back of the house into family living, updating bathrooms and ensuites, and making better use of large gardens with an extension or outdoor area. The City of Boroondara has neighbourhood character precincts across Balwyn and heritage controls on parts of it, so we check what applies to your street before design is finalised.
Balwyn at a Glance
- Postcode
- Balwyn VIC 3103
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 10 km east
- Typical Homes
- Interwar bungalows
- Post-war brick homes
- Double-storey family homes
- Units and townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$2,650,000
- Median unit price$860,000
- House rent$1,125 a week
- Unit rent$645 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For When Renovating in Balwyn
Heritage
Heritage Overlays in Balwyn
Parts of Balwyn are in a Heritage Overlay, including the Reid Estate precinct, a 1930s estate on the rise north of Whitehorse Road, and a number of individually listed houses. Heritage controls mostly cover external changes and demolition, so extensions are usually still possible but are designed to respect the original house. We check your address before design starts.
Planning
Neighbourhood Character Precincts
Boroondara divides its residential areas into neighbourhood character precincts, and the precinct statement is used when council assesses planning permits. It describes things like front setbacks, fences, building era and garden space. For a Balwyn extension or second storey that needs a permit, these statements shape what council expects.
Layout
Extending an Interwar Bungalow
Many Balwyn bungalows have good front rooms but a cramped back half. A rear extension that adds an open kitchen, family room and garden connection usually keeps the original front intact. We plan the junction between old and new carefully, matching floor levels, ceiling heights and roof lines where it matters.
Trees
Canopy Trees on Your Block
Boroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law generally requires a permit to remove a canopy tree, or to work within 2 metres of its trunk. Many Balwyn gardens have large established trees, so footings, driveways and site access may need to work around them. We identify trees that could be affected at the first visit.
Structure
Adding a Second Storey
On some Balwyn blocks, building up is the best way to add bedrooms while keeping the garden. A second storey needs careful structural assessment of an older brick home, and setbacks and overlooking rules apply. Where a planning permit is needed, heritage and neighbourhood character controls shape how far back and how high it can go.
Electrical
Services in Older Homes
Interwar and postwar Balwyn houses often still have some original wiring, galvanised pipes and an undersized switchboard. Replacing them is easiest while walls and floors are already open. Our licensed electricians and plumbers complete the work, and you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety and a plumbing compliance certificate.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Balwyn
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Balwyn 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 Balwyn
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 Balwyn 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.
Home Renovations In and Around Balwyn
Balwyn (3103) is about 10 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Balwyn and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
How do I find out if my Balwyn home has a Heritage Overlay?
You can check your address in the Boroondara Planning Scheme maps, or we can check it for you before any design work. Balwyn has heritage precincts such as the Reid Estate and many individually listed houses, and council has added more places in recent years, so it is worth checking even if you think your home isn’t affected.
Can I add a second storey to a home in a Balwyn heritage area?
Sometimes. Heritage controls usually focus on how an addition looks from the street, so a second storey set well back from the front, often over a rear extension, is more likely to be supported than one over the original roof. A planning permit from the City of Boroondara is generally needed.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree for my extension?
If the tree is a canopy tree under Boroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law, a permit is generally needed to remove it or to work close to its trunk. Planning overlays can add other requirements. We identify affected trees early so the design and timing allow for any permit.
Can we stay at home during a renovation?
For many rear extensions, yes, until the new section is joined to the house. For larger work, moving out for part of the job can make it faster. We agree the stages with you before work starts, and the work area is contained and cleaned up as we go.
Should I renovate my Balwyn home before selling or leasing, or sell it as is?
It depends on the condition. Some Balwyn buyers want an untouched bungalow on a large block to renovate or rebuild themselves, while others want a home ready to move into. If the house is sound, repairs, fresh paint, refinished floors and tidy wet areas are often enough. For a lease, focus on heating, safety and working kitchens and bathrooms. Large extensions in heritage areas need permits and time, so plan them well ahead.
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.