Home Renovations Carlton
Carlton Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Carlton and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Carlton 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 Carlton.
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 Carlton
Carlton is one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, subdivided from the 1850s around garden squares such as Argyle Square and Lincoln Square, with streets of Victorian terraces and grand two and three storey homes close to the city and the University of Melbourne. Much of it is covered by heritage controls, including the HO1 Carlton precinct, and most terraces have narrow footprints and small rear courtyards.
That shapes most Carlton home renovations: making the most of every square metre with clever layouts, rebuilding rear wings into kitchens and living areas that open onto the courtyard, and upgrading bathrooms and services in older homes. The City of Melbourne’s heritage rules mean many external changes need a planning permit, and access via laneways takes careful planning.
Carlton at a Glance
- Postcode
- Carlton VIC 3053
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 2 km north
- Typical Homes
- Victorian terraces
- Two and three storey period homes
- Workers’ cottages
- Apartments and student accommodation
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,250,000
- Median unit price$325,000
- House rent$898 a week
- Unit rent$570 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 Carlton
Heritage
Working Within HO1
Carlton’s HO1 precinct is the oldest heritage precinct in the City of Melbourne. Demolition, extensions, new front fences and changes to the street front generally need a planning permit, and rear additions are usually expected to sit low or well back so they are not prominent from the street. We check how your property is graded early, because that affects what can change.
Neighbours
Shared Walls and Protection Work
Most Carlton terraces share a party wall on one or both sides. Extending, underpinning or digging footings close to a shared wall can require protection work notices to the neighbour under the Building Act, and careful sequencing on site. We build this into the timeline and keep neighbours informed about noise, access and the stages of work.
Structure
Adding Space Upstairs
Some Carlton owners look at adding rooms above the rear wing. In a heritage precinct, upper additions are generally set well back from the front so the original roofline stays visible, and the existing walls and footings must be checked to carry the extra load. An engineer’s assessment and early advice from the City of Melbourne help set realistic expectations.
Rentals
Homes Shared by Students
With the University of Melbourne and RMIT close by, many Carlton terraces are let as shared houses. A renovation for this use often favours an extra bathroom or toilet, hard-wearing finishes, heating and cooling in each bedroom and better sound insulation between rooms. We plan the layout around how many people will live in the house.
Materials
Keeping Period Details
Carlton terraces often keep cast iron lacework, tiled verandahs, ceiling roses, marble fireplaces and original floorboards. Repairing these rather than replacing them keeps the character the heritage controls aim to protect. Using a lime-based mortar for repointing, and avoiding cement render on old soft brick, also helps the walls stay dry and sound.
Insulation
Cold Rooms and Draughts
Uninsulated ceilings, gaps under skirting boards and loose sash windows make many Carlton terraces cold in winter. Ceiling insulation, sealing floor gaps, draught-proofing the sashes and secondary glazing fitted inside the front windows can improve comfort without changing the street view. We look at these upgrades whenever walls or ceilings are opened up.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Carlton
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Carlton 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 Carlton
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 Carlton 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 Carlton
Carlton (3053) is about 2 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Carlton and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Do I need a planning permit to extend my Carlton terrace?
Generally, yes. Much of Carlton is in a Heritage Overlay, and the City of Melbourne usually requires a planning permit for extensions, demolition and external changes. A building permit is also needed for structural work. We check the overlay and the grading of your address and allow time for approvals in the plan before a start date is set.
Is Carlton North under the same heritage rules as Carlton?
Not exactly. Carlton is in the City of Melbourne, while much of Carlton North is in the City of Yarra, which has its own heritage precincts, policies and permit process. The aims are similar, protecting the street view of period homes, but the details differ. We confirm which council and which overlay apply to your address before design starts.
Can we live in our Carlton terrace during a renovation?
For smaller jobs, often yes, since work can be staged room by room. A rear rebuild that removes the kitchen and bathroom usually means moving out for part of the project, because a terrace has nowhere else to put them. We contain the work area, clean up daily and give you a timeline so you can plan around it.
What renovation makes sense before selling a Carlton terrace?
Carlton buyers often look for original period features, so repairing verandahs, lacework, floors and fireplaces deserves attention before any modern overhaul. Fixing obvious defects like damp, cracked plaster and dated wiring helps the home through a building inspection. Large rear extensions take longer because of heritage permits, so allow plenty of time if you plan one before listing.
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.