Home Renovations Docklands
Docklands Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Docklands and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Docklands 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 Docklands.
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 Docklands
Docklands is a waterfront precinct of apartments, from mid-rise buildings along the harbour to high towers, with a small number of townhouses near the water. Homes here are relatively new, but many original fit-outs are now dated, layouts can feel closed off, and finishes in high-use areas such as kitchens and bathrooms have worn.
Whole-apartment projects in Docklands often include new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and joinery, reworking layouts by removing non-structural walls, adding built-in storage and study nooks, and upgrading lighting and window furnishings. Apartment renovations need owners corporation approval for access, noise and building services, and we confirm any structural or service requirements with the building manager and the City of Melbourne before work begins.
Docklands at a Glance
- Postcode
- Docklands VIC 3008
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 2 km west
- Typical Homes
- High-rise apartments
- Waterfront apartments
- Townhouses
- Penthouses
- Property Market
- Median unit price$565,000
- Unit rent$720 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 a Docklands Apartment
Structure
Which Walls Can Move
Internal walls in Docklands apartments are usually lightweight partitions, but some are structural, fire-rated or contain services. Removing them needs checking against the building’s drawings, and fire-rated walls between apartments or corridors cannot be altered without approval. We review the plans and inspect before suggesting an open layout.
Floors
Acoustic Rules for New Floors
Replacing carpet with timber or hybrid flooring in a Docklands apartment can transmit footsteps to neighbours below. Many owners corporations set acoustic standards for new floors and require an approved underlay. We confirm the building’s rules and choose flooring and underlay that meet them before ordering.
Fire Safety
Fire Services and Ceilings
Sprinklers, smoke detectors and fire-rated ceilings in Docklands buildings are part of the building’s fire safety system. Moving walls or lowering ceilings may affect sprinkler coverage, which must be checked and adjusted by the building’s fire contractor. We include this in planning so the building stays compliant.
Apartments
Building Rules and Work Hours
Docklands owners corporations usually set work hours, lift booking rules, loading dock access and requirements for protecting common areas. Some ask for a bond or insurance certificates. A whole apartment renovation can take longer if noisy work is limited. We prepare a schedule that fits these rules from the start.
Timing
Stadium Event Days
Events at Marvel Stadium bring crowds, road closures and parking pressure to parts of Docklands. Deliveries, trades parking and skip bins are harder to manage on those days. We check the event calendar when scheduling benchtops, appliances and rubbish removal, and plan around game days where we can.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Docklands
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Docklands 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 Docklands
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 Docklands 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 Docklands
Docklands (3008) is about 2 km west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Docklands and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
What approvals do I need to renovate a Docklands apartment?
Owners corporation approval is usually the first step, especially for changes to plumbing, flooring, walls or services. A building permit may be needed for structural changes or fire services work. A City of Melbourne planning permit is not usually needed for internal work. We help prepare what each party asks for.
Can I remove a wall to open up my Docklands apartment?
Often, if it is a non-structural partition without fire rating or important services. Some walls look light but contain plumbing, electrical or fire services, so we check the building drawings and inspect before quoting. Owners corporation consent is usually required, even for internal wall changes.
Can we live in the apartment during a renovation?
For a single room, often yes. For a full Docklands apartment renovation, living elsewhere for part of the project is usually easier, as the kitchen, bathroom and floors may all be out of action. We plan the stages so you know when the apartment will be unusable.
How do I renovate a Docklands apartment to lease it out?
For a Docklands apartment you plan to lease, durable finishes usually serve best. Hard-wearing flooring that meets the building’s acoustic rules, quality joinery, good lighting and appliances that are easy to replace are sensible choices. A renovation that fixes worn areas and improves storage often suits a rental better than a high-end fit-out.
Do townhouses in Docklands have different rules?
Townhouses in Docklands are often still part of an owners corporation, so external changes, facade colours and some internal work may need its approval. Structural changes, decks or roof terraces may need building permits. We check the plan of subdivision and the owners corporation rules for your townhouse before design.
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.