Home Renovations Collingwood
Collingwood Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Collingwood and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Collingwood 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 Collingwood.
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 Collingwood
Collingwood is one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, bounded by Smith Street, Alexandra Parade, Hoddle Street and Victoria Parade, with narrow blocks of Victorian workers’ cottages and terraces among former factories, warehouse conversions and newer apartments. Original homes are often only a few metres wide, with a small rear yard and lane access, and many residential streets are within Heritage Overlays.
Common projects here are rebuilding the rear of narrow cottages for open living and better light, adding a loft or upper level where planning allows, restoring facades, floors and brickwork, and improving insulation and ventilation in older homes. In a Heritage Overlay, most external work generally needs a planning permit from the City of Yarra, so we plan for approvals, tight access and close neighbours from the start.
Collingwood at a Glance
- Postcode
- Collingwood VIC 3066
- Council
- City of Yarra
- From the CBD
- About 2 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian workers’ cottages
- Terraces
- Warehouse and factory conversions
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,330,000
- Median unit price$625,000
- House rent$850 a week
- Unit rent$700 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 Collingwood
Heritage
Collingwood’s Heritage Precincts
Collingwood has several heritage precincts, including the Collingwood Slope precinct around Cambridge, Oxford, Peel and Wellington Streets, the Gold Street precinct and the Victoria Parade precinct. The City of Yarra grades places as individually significant, contributory or not contributory, which affects the changes it will support. We check your grading first.
Structure
Upper Levels on Narrow Blocks
Adding a level to a Collingwood cottage only a few metres wide needs careful structure, as the original walls may not carry the new loads. A steel frame or new footings inside the house are common solutions, and heritage controls usually ask for the addition to sit back from the street. We bring in a structural engineer early.
Neighbours
Building on the Boundary
Many Collingwood extensions are built to one or both side boundaries, right beside a neighbour’s wall. This can involve protection work notices, shared wall details and careful drainage between buildings. We give neighbours notice, protect their property, keep shared lanes clear and agree working hours that respect the people next door.
Asbestos
Old Additions and Hidden Materials
Collingwood’s cottages have been altered many times, and lean-tos and kitchens added before 1990 may contain asbestos sheeting or vinyl. Testing before demolition is important, and larger amounts are removed by a licensed removalist. We also look for lead paint on old timber, which needs careful handling when it is sanded or stripped.
Apartments
Renovating a Warehouse Conversion
Collingwood’s converted factories often have big open floors, exposed brick and steel-framed windows. Renovations usually need owners corporation approval, may be limited by heritage controls on the facade, and must respect fire separation and acoustic requirements between units. We plan the work around these from the first drawings.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Collingwood
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Collingwood 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 Collingwood
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 Collingwood 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 Collingwood
Collingwood (3066) is about 2 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Collingwood and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Will the City of Yarra let me extend my Collingwood cottage?
Rear extensions are common in Collingwood, but in a Heritage Overlay they usually need a planning permit. Council looks at how the addition is seen from the street, its height and its effect on neighbours’ light and privacy. We check the controls and prepare a design that responds to them before lodging an application.
Can I build a loft in my Collingwood cottage roof?
Sometimes. Many Collingwood cottage roofs are low, so a loft may need a raised roof at the rear or dormer windows, which can bring heritage controls and neighbours’ privacy into play. We check the roof height, structure and planning requirements first, and advise whether a loft or a rear upper level suits better.
How do you work on a Collingwood street with no parking?
We plan deliveries for quieter times, use rear lanes where possible and apply to the City of Yarra for permits to place skips or occupy parking bays when needed. Smaller vehicles and careful scheduling keep disruption to neighbours down, and we protect the footpath and clean up at the end of each day.
What renovations make sense before selling or leasing my Collingwood home?
Small, visible repairs usually matter most: repainting, fixing the front fence and verandah, repairing windows and floors, and making sure the heating, power and hot water are safe and working. In Collingwood’s heritage streets, keeping original features helps the house present well. Larger projects need permits and time, so they suit owners staying on.
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.