Home Renovations Canterbury
Canterbury Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Canterbury and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Canterbury 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 Canterbury.
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 Canterbury
Canterbury’s tree-lined streets near Maling Road and Canterbury station feature late Victorian, Federation and Edwardian villas and interwar homes on large blocks, many with original leadlight, timber detailing and formal front rooms. Much of the suburb was subdivided after the railway opened in 1882, but most houses date from a building boom in the early 1900s.
Home projects here usually involve careful restoration at the front, paired with updated kitchens, bathrooms and living areas at the back that open onto the garden. Heritage controls cover parts of the suburb, so we work through the City of Boroondara’s requirements from the start, matching period details where they matter and keeping new work sympathetic to the house.
Canterbury at a Glance
- Postcode
- Canterbury VIC 3126
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 10 km east
- Typical Homes
- Federation Queen Anne and Edwardian villas
- Late Victorian houses
- Interwar homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$3,260,000
- Median unit price$1,050,000
- House rent$1,295 a week
- Unit rent$695 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 Canterbury
Heritage
Canterbury’s Heritage Precincts
Several heritage precincts cover parts of Canterbury, including Maling Road and its residential surrounds (HO145), the Griffin Estate (HO700), the Balwyn Road residential precinct (HO264) and part of Hassett’s Estate (HO191). Properties are graded significant, contributory or non-contributory, which affects what changes are supported. We check the grading before design.
Layout
Rear Extensions on Deep Blocks
Canterbury’s large blocks leave room for a rear extension with kitchen, living and dining opening to the garden. In heritage areas, an extension that sits lower than the original roof and is set in from the side walls is generally easier to support. We check site coverage, setbacks and the neighbours’ outlook early in the design.
Trees
Protected Trees
Mature trees are a feature of many Canterbury gardens, and Boroondara’s Tree Protection Local Law covers canopy trees on private land above a set size. An extension within a tree’s root zone may need an arborist’s report and a permit. We locate trees before siting the new work, so the design doesn’t have to change late in the process.
Materials
Restoring Period Features
Leadlight windows, ornate ceilings, fireplaces and timber verandahs are common in Canterbury’s Federation and Edwardian homes. Restoring them as part of a renovation, rather than replacing them, keeps the character of the house. We note these features at the first visit and plan the work around them, including protection while the building work is underway.
Asbestos
Asbestos in Earlier Renovations
Additions and updates from the mid-twentieth century in Canterbury homes may include fibre cement sheeting, flue pipes or floor tiles containing asbestos. We test suspect materials before demolition, and larger amounts are removed by a licensed removalist. Building this into the plan prevents delays once walls and ceilings are opened up.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Canterbury
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Canterbury 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 Canterbury
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 Canterbury 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 Canterbury
Canterbury (3126) is about 10 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Canterbury and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneIs my Canterbury home in a Heritage Overlay?
Parts of Canterbury are in heritage precincts, and some houses are individually listed. A VicPlan property report for your address will show whether an overlay applies. If one applies, demolition, external changes and extensions usually need a planning permit from the City of Boroondara, and the house’s grading affects what is supported. We check this before design.
Can we add a second storey to our Canterbury house?
It can be possible, particularly at the rear. In heritage precincts an upper level generally needs to be set well back so the original roof and facade remain prominent from the street, and overlooking, overshadowing and height controls also apply. We check the planning controls for your address and design something realistic to approve.
Can we live in our Canterbury home during the renovation?
In larger Canterbury homes it is often possible to live in the front rooms while a rear extension is built, with the work area sealed off. You may need to move out briefly while the old and new parts are joined and services are switched over. We plan the stages and dates with you in advance.
Should we renovate our Canterbury period home before selling?
Canterbury buyers often look for original character and a home they can update to suit themselves. Repairing verandahs, painting, restoring timber floors, servicing the heating and tidying the garden usually present a period home well. An extension needs heritage and building approvals and a long build, so it is better suited to owners staying for years.
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.