Home Renovations Bulleen
Bulleen Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Bulleen and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Bulleen 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 Bulleen.
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 Bulleen
Bulleen is a settled suburb of postwar brick veneer homes on wide blocks, with the Yarra River and its parklands, including Banksia Park and the river flats, along its northern side. Many homes are original or lightly updated, with separate lounge and dining rooms, small bedrooms and a single bathroom. Some blocks have been subdivided into units and townhouses, while others have been rebuilt as large double-storey homes.
Common projects include reworking closed-off layouts into open living that faces the backyard, adding a rear extension or a second storey rather than knocking down, upgrading insulation, windows and heating in older brick veneer, and bringing tired kitchens and bathrooms up to date. Extensions and upstairs additions need a building permit, and parts of the suburb near the river carry flood overlays, so we check planning requirements with Manningham City Council before design is finalised.
Bulleen at a Glance
- Postcode
- Bulleen VIC 3105
- Council
- Manningham City Council
- From the CBD
- About 12 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- 1950s to 1970s brick veneer homes
- Postwar family homes on wide blocks
- Units and townhouses on subdivided lots
- Newer double-storey rebuilds
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,350,000
- Median unit price$890,500
- House rent$742 a week
- Unit rent$700 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Renovate or Extend in Bulleen
Flooding
Yarra Flats and Flood Overlays
Bulleen’s river flats form part of the Yarra flood plain, and the SES lists Bulleen among the Manningham locations at risk of flooding. Parts of the suburb may be covered by a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay or a Special Building Overlay, which can require a planning permit and set minimum floor levels for an extension. We check your property’s overlays first.
Structure
Rear Extension or Second Storey
Wide Bulleen blocks often allow a single-level rear extension, which keeps the house on one level and avoids strengthening the existing structure. A second storey suits smaller lots but needs the existing walls and footings checked by an engineer. We compare both options for your block, including where stairs would go and how the house works during the build.
Access
Major Road Works Nearby
Major road works near Bulleen can affect traffic and access on the main roads around the suburb. For a renovation, that matters for deliveries, skip bins and trades arriving when planned. We schedule deliveries for quieter times, agree where materials will be stored on your site, and allow for access in the program so the build is not held up.
Insulation
Brick Veneer Comfort
Bulleen’s brick veneer homes from the 1950s to the 1970s often have little or no wall insulation, single glazed windows and gaps around doors and floors. An extension is a good time to insulate the ceiling and any walls that are opened up, add double glazing and seal draughts. These changes improve comfort in both the original house and the new rooms.
Soil
Footings on Clay Soils
Many parts of Melbourne’s north east have reactive clay soils that shrink and swell with the seasons. A soil test is generally needed for the building permit, and its classification sets the footing design for an extension. Joining new footings to an older Bulleen house needs care so the two parts do not move differently and crack at the join.
Asbestos
Asbestos in Older Linings
Bulleen homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos in eave linings, wet area walls, vinyl floor tiles or the sheeting behind the meter box. Before walls are opened for an extension, suspect materials are sampled and tested, and larger amounts are removed by a licensed removalist. We build the testing into the early program so it does not cause delays later.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Bulleen
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Bulleen 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 Bulleen
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 Bulleen 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 Bulleen
Bulleen (3105) is about 12 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Bulleen and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneIs my Bulleen property affected by a flood overlay?
It may be, particularly near the Yarra River flats or along overland flow paths. Your VicPlan property report shows whether a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay or Special Building Overlay applies. If one does, an extension may need a planning permit and Melbourne Water input on floor levels. We check this before design starts so there are no surprises.
Should we extend or knock down and rebuild in Bulleen?
It depends on the condition of the house, your budget and how much of the existing layout works for you. Many Bulleen brick veneer homes are structurally sound, so a rear extension with an internal rework can be a practical choice. We inspect the house, explain what can be kept and give you a detailed fixed-price written quote for the renovation.
Can we live at home while extending in Bulleen?
Often, for a rear extension, because the new rooms are built while the existing house stays closed off. You may need to move out for short periods when the old and new parts are joined, or while the kitchen or bathroom is replaced. We agree the stages with you in advance and keep the building area sealed off and tidy.
Do we need a planning permit for an extension in Bulleen?
Not always. A single-storey extension on a standard lot may only need a building permit, but flood or vegetation overlays, or the height and setbacks of a second storey, can bring in a planning permit from Manningham City Council. We check the zone and overlays for your address first and explain which approvals your design needs.
Is renovating worth it before we sell our Bulleen home?
Large extensions take months and need permits, so they rarely suit a sale timeline. Before selling a Bulleen home, smaller jobs usually help more: repairing cracks and leaks, painting, sanding floors, updating light fittings and tidying the garden and driveway. Buyers planning to extend later may be happy with a sound original home on a wide block that they can change themselves.
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.