Home Renovations Elsternwick
Elsternwick Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Elsternwick and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Elsternwick 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 Elsternwick.
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 Elsternwick
Elsternwick is a leafy, established suburb where tree lined streets of Victorian, Edwardian and Federation homes sit near the Rippon Lea Estate and the shops and cafés of Glen Huntly Road. Blocks are often generous by inner suburb standards, but many houses still have formal front rooms, a long hallway and a dated rear extension that doesn’t connect well with the garden.
Typical projects here restore the period front of the house while rebuilding the back as open living, add a second storey or a rear extension, upgrade insulation, glazing and heating in draughty older homes, and add bathrooms for growing families. Several parts of Elsternwick are covered by heritage controls, so we plan for planning permits with Glen Eira City Council before work begins.
Elsternwick at a Glance
- Postcode
- Elsternwick VIC 3185
- Council
- Glen Eira City Council
- From the CBD
- About 9 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian villas
- Federation and interwar homes
- Art deco and postwar flats
- Apartments near Glen Huntly Road
- Property Market
- Median house price$2,100,000
- Median unit price$768,750
- House rent$978 a week
- Unit rent$612 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in an Elsternwick Home Renovation
Heritage
Elsternwick’s Heritage Precincts
Glen Eira’s heritage overlays in Elsternwick include the Elsternwick Estate and Environs precinct of Victorian, Federation and interwar homes, the Gladstone Parade precinct, and the commercial strip on Glen Huntly Road. The overlay mostly controls changes visible from the street. We check whether your home is graded significant, contributory or non-contributory.
Planning
The Heritage Review
Glen Eira City Council has been reviewing heritage in the Elsternwick structure plan area through Amendment C204, which proposed new precincts and individual places and the removal of some non-contributory homes from the existing precinct. Its outcome could affect what needs a permit, so we confirm the current controls for your address before design.
Trees
Canopy and Classified Trees
Elsternwick’s established gardens often have large trees. Glen Eira’s tree local law requires a permit to remove or prune protected canopy and classified trees, or to work within their tree protection zone. An extension close to a big tree may need an arborist’s report, so trees are considered early to avoid delaying the design.
Structure
Stumps and Movement
Elsternwick’s older homes often sit on timber or brick stumps, and cracked plaster or doors that stick can be signs of movement. A rear extension has to meet the original house without uneven floors, which may mean restumping the back rooms. We check the subfloor before quoting so this is in the plan.
Layout
Rear Extensions on Deep Blocks
With deeper blocks than many inner suburbs, Elsternwick homes can often extend at ground level instead of going up. A single-storey rear extension can add living, a kitchen and a bathroom while keeping a good garden. Site coverage and permeability limits in the planning scheme still apply, so we work through them early.
Timing
Staging the Work
Owners of Elsternwick period homes often renovate in stages, such as the rear extension first and the front rooms later. Staging can spread the cost but means more time living with building work, and planning permits have expiry dates. We plan the stages so later work doesn’t undo earlier finishes.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Elsternwick
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Elsternwick 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 Elsternwick
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 Elsternwick 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 Elsternwick
Home Renovations In and Around Elsternwick
Elsternwick (3185) is about 9 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Elsternwick and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneDoes being contributory in a heritage precinct affect my Elsternwick renovation?
Yes. In Glen Eira’s heritage precincts, homes are graded significant, contributory or non-contributory. A contributory home can usually be extended at the rear, but council will want the front rooms and roof kept and any addition to sit back. A non-contributory home has more flexibility. We check your grading before design.
Can I add a second storey to my Elsternwick home?
Often, depending on the heritage overlay and the zone. In a heritage precinct, Glen Eira City Council usually prefers an upper level set well back so the original roof still shows from the street. On a deep Elsternwick block, a single-storey rear extension can be simpler to approve, and we help you weigh up both.
Can we stay in our Elsternwick home while the back is rebuilt?
Often, yes. With a central hallway, the front rooms of an Elsternwick villa can usually be sealed off from the work at the back. You may need a temporary kitchen and some days without water or power, which we schedule ahead. For a full renovation, moving out for part of the job is easier.
Is it worth renovating an Elsternwick period home before selling it?
Many buyers looking at Elsternwick villas and Federation homes want a garden and room to extend, and some have plans of their own. Repainting, repairing the front verandah and fence, and fixing any damp or roof problems help the home present well. Larger work involving a heritage or tree permit seldom fits a short selling timeline.
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.