Home Renovations Elwood
Elwood Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Elwood and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Elwood 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 Elwood.
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 Elwood
Close to the beach and Point Ormond, Elwood combines rows of art deco flats with Edwardian houses, Californian bungalows and a growing number of townhouses. Blocks for houses are typically modest, and many homes have dark central hallways, small rear additions and gardens that are hard to reach from the main living areas. Parts of the suburb are low lying near the canal, which affects how homes are built and extended.
Projects here often open up the rear of bungalows and Edwardian homes into light filled living, add upstairs space where heritage and floor level rules allow, renovate whole flats from kitchen to bathroom, and improve insulation and glazing. Large parts of Elwood fall within heritage overlays and some areas are in the Special Building Overlay for flooding, so we plan for City of Port Phillip permits from the outset.
Elwood at a Glance
- Postcode
- Elwood VIC 3184
- Council
- City of Port Phillip
- From the CBD
- About 8 km south
- Typical Homes
- Art deco and interwar flats
- Californian bungalows
- Edwardian and Federation homes
- Apartments and townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,916,500
- Median unit price$647,000
- House rent$1,100 a week
- Unit rent$600 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 Elwood
Flooding
Elster Creek and Elwood’s Flood History
Elwood was built on swampland drained in the late nineteenth century, when the lower Elster Creek became the Elwood Canal. The catchment has a long flooding history, including a 1934 storm that flooded land along the canal, and council describes Elwood as one of Victoria’s most flood-prone areas. Knowing your property’s flood risk shapes any extension.
Permits
Special Building Overlay and Floor Levels
Parts of Elwood are in the Special Building Overlay, which identifies land subject to overland flooding from the drainage system. Extensions there generally need a planning permit, and Melbourne Water may set a minimum floor level above the expected flood level. That can affect ceiling heights, steps between old and new rooms and the design of a second storey.
Heritage
HO7 and HO8 Heritage Precincts
Large parts of Elwood are in City of Port Phillip heritage overlays, including HO7 and HO8 around Glen Huntly and Ormond Roads. Council has been reviewing both, which may change precinct boundaries and gradings. Extensions, demolition and visible external works generally need a planning permit, and we check the current controls for your property.
Structure
Upstairs Additions to Bungalows
Adding a second storey to an Elwood bungalow gets complex where floor level rules, heritage setbacks and the original timber frame and stumps all come into play. Often a well designed single storey rear addition, or a first floor set well back, gives the space with fewer issues. An engineer checks whether the existing footings can carry new loads.
Energy
Cold Bungalows and Brick Flats
Elwood’s bungalows often have little ceiling insulation and draughty floors, and interwar brick flats can be cold in winter. Ceiling and underfloor insulation, draught sealing, double glazing where heritage controls allow, and efficient heating or cooling are common upgrades. Top floor and ground floor flats tend to benefit the most from insulation work.
Coastal
Wind and Salt Near Point Ormond
Homes near Point Ormond, Elwood Beach and along Marine Parade take the full force of wind and salt off the bay. External fixings, gutters, window frames and render wear faster there. Choosing marine grade or stainless fixings, durable cladding and coatings, and allowing for regular maintenance keeps a renovation in good condition for longer.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Elwood
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Elwood 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 Elwood
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 Elwood 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 Elwood
Home Renovations In and Around Elwood
Elwood (3184) is about 8 km south of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Elwood and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
How do I find out if my Elwood home is in a flood overlay?
A free VicPlan planning property report for your address lists any overlays, including the Special Building Overlay. The City of Port Phillip also points residents to Melbourne Water’s flood information. Being outside the overlay does not mean a property can never flood, so we check both the overlay and the site’s levels before designing an extension.
Is Melbourne Water doing anything about Elwood flooding?
Melbourne Water has been planning a duplication of the Elwood Main Drain, with a new drain from Elsternwick Park to the Elwood foreshore, to reduce flooding in Elwood and parts of Brighton. Even with that work, planning overlays and floor level requirements still apply to individual properties. We check the current requirements for your address before design.
Can I renovate the inside of an Elwood art deco flat?
Yes. Internal work in a flat generally doesn’t need a planning permit, even in a heritage precinct, but it needs owners corporation approval for anything affecting structure, shared services or common property. Some Elwood flats have their own heritage listing, so we check the planning scheme before changing windows, balconies or the exterior.
Which renovations suit an Elwood house before a sale or lease?
Elwood buyers tend to value period features, light and a usable garden. Fixing damp, updating a tired kitchen and bathroom and opening the rear to the garden are often more useful than a large extension. If your property is in the Special Building Overlay or a heritage precinct, permit timing needs to be factored in before setting a campaign or lease date.
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.