Home Renovations Essendon
Essendon Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Essendon and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Essendon 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 Essendon.
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 Essendon
Essendon’s wide streets are lined with Victorian villas, Edwardian homes, bungalows and solid interwar brick houses, many on larger blocks than suburbs closer to the city. These homes have good bones but often come with formal front rooms, narrow kitchens, a single bathroom and rear additions that have not aged well.
That shapes most Essendon home renovations: adding contemporary rear extensions with open living, building upstairs additions for extra bedrooms, restoring period details such as fireplaces, cornices and leadlight, and upgrading insulation, glazing and heating. Heritage Overlays cover parts of Essendon, so we plan early for planning permits with the City of Moonee Valley and organise building permits for structural work.
Essendon at a Glance
- Postcode
- Essendon VIC 3040
- Council
- City of Moonee Valley
- From the CBD
- About 8 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Californian bungalows
- Interwar brick homes
- Apartments and townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,827,500
- Median unit price$620,000
- House rent$795 a week
- Unit rent$520 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 Essendon
Heritage
Heritage Precincts
Several Essendon areas are covered by Heritage Overlays, including the Edward Street and Richardson Street precinct, the Hoddle Street precinct and the Scott Street precinct. In these areas, external alterations generally need a planning permit, and in some cases even external painting does. The City of Moonee Valley has a permit exemptions policy for some precincts, which we check.
Trees
Significant Trees
Moonee Valley keeps a Significant Tree Register that covers trees on private land, and listed trees are protected through the planning scheme. A permit is generally needed to remove or prune a listed tree, or to build within its tree protection zone. If a large tree is near your proposed extension, we check the register first.
Design
Streets Shaped by Subdivided Estates
Essendon’s 1880s villas and mansions were later subdivided as trams and trains made the area easier to reach, which is why Victorian, Edwardian and interwar homes often sit side by side. An extension needs to work with the streetscape, especially in heritage areas where the mix of eras is part of the character.
Structure
Upper Floor Additions
Adding a second storey to a period home gives more bedrooms without losing the backyard. In a Heritage Overlay, an upper addition generally needs to be set back from the front so it is less visible from the street. Outside heritage areas there is more flexibility, but overlooking and overshadowing rules still apply.
Materials
Restoring Period Details
Many Essendon homes still have original fireplaces, cornices, ceiling roses, leadlight and timber floors. A renovation is a chance to repair and restore them alongside the new work, which matters most in heritage precincts where the house contributes to the street. We protect these features during construction and can match missing cornice or skirting profiles.
Heating
Comfort in High-ceilinged Homes
Victorian and Edwardian homes in Essendon are often cold in winter, with high ceilings, no insulation and draughty sash windows. Insulating ceilings and walls where they’re opened, sealing unused chimneys and upgrading heating can make a big difference without changing the character of the front rooms.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Essendon
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Essendon 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 Essendon
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 Essendon 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 Essendon
Essendon (3040) is about 8 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Essendon and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Do I need a permit to repaint or change the front fence of a heritage house in Essendon?
Possibly. In Moonee Valley’s Heritage Overlay areas, external alterations generally need a planning permit, and in some precincts so does external painting. Front fences in heritage areas are also commonly assessed. Routine maintenance that doesn’t change the appearance usually doesn’t need a permit. We check your precinct’s controls first.
Can I build a second storey on a Victorian house in Essendon?
Often, yes, but in a Heritage Overlay the addition generally needs to be set back and designed so it doesn’t dominate the original house from the street. A planning permit is usually required. Outside heritage areas there is more flexibility. We check the controls for your address early in the design.
Will a large tree on my block affect an extension?
It might. If the tree is on Moonee Valley’s Significant Tree Register, a permit is generally needed to remove or prune it or to build within its tree protection zone. Even unlisted trees can affect footing design. We check the register and plan the extension around any protected trees.
Can you restore original features like fireplaces and leadlight?
Yes. Restoring period features is often part of an Essendon renovation. We can repair or rebuild fireplaces, replace damaged cornices and skirting to match original profiles, and repair or replicate leadlight windows. We protect these features during construction so they’re not damaged by the new work.
How should I prepare an Essendon period home for sale or lease?
In Essendon’s Victorian, Edwardian and interwar homes, buyers tend to expect original features to be intact and in good repair. Prioritise roof and gutter repairs, stumps, rewiring where needed and fixing cracked plaster. Restore rather than remove leadlight, fireplaces and timber floors. Several Essendon streets are in a Heritage Overlay, where external changes and sometimes external painting colours can need a permit from the City of Moonee Valley, so check before painting the front.
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.