Home Renovations Donvale
Donvale Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Donvale and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Donvale 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 Donvale.
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 Donvale
Donvale grew from orchards and farmland into a suburb from the 1950s, and is now known for big blocks, bushland and quiet streets, with many 1970s and 1980s homes built in brick and timber and some split level designs that follow the slope. Houses are often large but dated, with formal rooms that see little use and family areas that don’t connect well to the garden.
Typical Donvale home renovations include reworking formal rooms and split levels into connected family living, adding extensions or a parents’ retreat, opening the back of the house to decks and gardens, and upgrading insulation, glazing and heating. Extensions need a building permit, and bushfire, landscape and flood controls apply across parts of Donvale, so we check requirements with Manningham City Council before design is finalised.
Donvale at a Glance
- Postcode
- Donvale VIC 3111
- Council
- Manningham City Council
- From the CBD
- About 20 km east
- Typical Homes
- 1970s and 1980s brick family homes
- Split level homes on sloping blocks
- Homes on one acre lots east of Springvale Road
- Newer double storey homes
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,526,000
- Median unit price$859,150
- House rent$840 a week
- Unit rent$685 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 Donvale
Bushfire
Bushfire Management Overlay
Manningham’s Bushfire Management Overlay covers large areas of the green wedge, including parts of Donvale. On these properties some extensions and new buildings need a planning permit with a bushfire assessment, and construction must suit the BAL rating. The requirements depend on the size of the work, so we check them with council first. A VicPlan property report shows whether the overlay applies, and we check it before design.
Trees
Landscape Overlays and Trees
Parts of Donvale have a Significant Landscape Overlay, including a schedule that protects stands of pine and cypress planted on low density lots, a reminder of the area’s orchard past. Works and tree removal on these properties may need a planning permit. We locate significant trees early and design extensions around them where we can.
Flooding
Flooding Near the Creek
Properties close to the Mullum Mullum Creek and its tributaries can sit in a Special Building Overlay, which maps land subject to overland flow. Building work there may need a planning permit and floor levels set above the flood level advised by Melbourne Water. It is worth knowing before you settle on where an extension goes.
Heritage
Old Warrandyte Road Heritage
A stretch of Old Warrandyte Road in Donvale is a heritage precinct (HO122), recognised for its orchard history, mature trees and rural character, and a few individual Donvale houses are also under the Heritage Overlay. External changes on these properties generally need a planning permit, so we check heritage controls before any design work starts.
Layout
Formal Rooms and Split Levels
Many Donvale homes from the 1970s and 1980s have a formal lounge and dining room at the front and a family room at the back, with half flights of stairs between levels. Reworking these into one connected living zone, or turning a little-used formal room into a study or retreat, often gives more than adding floor area.
Energy
Warmth and Efficiency
Large 1970s and 1980s Donvale homes often have thin ceiling insulation, single glazed aluminium windows and an old ducted heater working hard through cold eastern winters. An extension or renovation is the time to upgrade insulation, glazing and heating. If the house is in the Mullum Creek estate, keep its energy rating and rainwater requirements in mind.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Donvale
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Donvale 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 Donvale
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 Donvale 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.
Our Work Near Donvale
Home Renovations In and Around Donvale
Donvale (3111) is about 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Donvale and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Is my Donvale property in a Bushfire Management Overlay?
It depends on the address. The overlay covers large parts of Manningham’s green wedge, including parts of Donvale, and does not always follow property boundaries. A free VicPlan planning property report shows the overlays on your land. We check it with you before design, as it can affect permits and building materials.
Can we extend our Donvale home without removing trees?
Often, yes, with careful siting. Where a Significant Landscape Overlay or other vegetation controls apply, removing or lopping certain trees may need a planning permit from Manningham City Council. We map significant trees and their root zones early, then plan footings and the extension’s footprint to keep clear of them where possible.
Can we stay in our Donvale house during the renovation?
Often, yes. On larger Donvale homes we can usually fence off the work area, keep a separate entry for trades and leave bedrooms and a bathroom in use. When the kitchen or main bathroom is out of action, or the roof is opened up, a short move out may be easier. We plan the stages with you.
How should we prepare a Donvale home for sale or lease?
Most Donvale homes are large family houses on big blocks, so buyers and tenants judge the whole property, including the garden, the decks and the outbuildings. Fixing obvious defects, refreshing paint and floor coverings and tidying tired kitchens and bathrooms usually matters more than a major extension. If you are considering structural work, allow time for permits and any bushfire or landscape overlay requirements.
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.