Home Renovations Fawkner
Fawkner Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Fawkner and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Fawkner 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 Fawkner.
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 Fawkner
Fawkner is a northern suburb of solid postwar homes, many of them weatherboards and brick veneers on wide blocks, with units and townhouses replacing some older houses. Original homes often have small rooms, separate kitchens and a single bathroom, and many have had little done to them beyond basic repairs.
Common projects here are opening up closed layouts into family friendly living, adding rear extensions or new bedrooms, renovating kitchens, bathrooms and laundries in one project, and upgrading insulation, windows and heating in older weatherboards. Most interior work doesn’t need a planning permit from Merri-bek City Council, but extensions and structural changes need a building permit, which we arrange before starting.
Fawkner at a Glance
- Postcode
- Fawkner VIC 3060
- Council
- Merri-bek City Council
- From the CBD
- About 12 km north
- Typical Homes
- Postwar weatherboards
- Cream brick veneer homes
- Units and villa units
- New townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$857,500
- Median unit price$650,000
- House rent$580 a week
- Unit rent$530 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 Fawkner
Flooding
Overland Flow and the SBO
Fawkner borders the Merri Creek and is on Merri-bek’s list of areas with a flood history. Parts of the suburb are in the Special Building Overlay for stormwater overland flow, where an extension may need a planning permit and Melbourne Water’s consent for floor levels. We check the property report before the design starts so floor heights are right from the beginning.
Soil
Clay Soils and Moving Stumps
Reactive clay soils are common across Melbourne’s north, and they swell and shrink with the seasons. In older Fawkner houses this shows up as sticking doors, cracked plaster and uneven floors. An extension needs footings designed from a soil test, and restumping the original house at the same time can stop new and old sections moving differently.
Insulation
Insulating Postwar Weatherboards
Most original Fawkner weatherboards were built with no insulation in the walls and little in the ceiling. When linings come off during a renovation, wall cavities can be insulated and sealed, and ceiling and underfloor insulation can be added at the same time. It is far easier than retrofitting later, and the house holds heat much better.
Neighbours
Building Beside New Townhouses
As older Fawkner lots are redeveloped, an extension may end up next to a new double storey neighbour. Building regulations set setbacks and limits on walls on or near boundaries, and overshadowing and overlooking rules apply to windows. If a design falls outside them, council consent may be needed. We check this before you settle on a layout.
Asbestos
Testing Eaves and Cladding
Fawkner homes built before 1990 can have asbestos cement sheet in eaves, external cladding on rear additions, sleepouts and old garages. Before walls are cut for an extension, suspect material should be sampled. Larger quantities must be removed by a licensed removalist, and we sequence that work so the rest of the project can continue on time.
Layout
A Second Living Area
The typical postwar Fawkner house has one lounge, a separate kitchen and three bedrooms off a hall. A rear extension can add an open family room beside the kitchen while the original lounge becomes a quiet second living space or study. We plan the link between old and new so the hallway still works and natural light reaches the middle of the house.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Fawkner
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Fawkner 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 Fawkner
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 Fawkner 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 Fawkner
Fawkner (3060) is about 12 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Fawkner 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 planning permit to extend my Fawkner house?
A single storey extension to a single house often doesn’t need a planning permit from Merri-bek City Council unless an overlay, such as the Special Building Overlay, applies to the block. A building permit is always needed. Double storey additions and works close to boundaries need closer checking. We confirm the requirements for your address before drawings are finalised.
Is it better to renovate or knock down and rebuild in Fawkner?
It depends on the house. Many Fawkner postwar homes have sound frames worth keeping, while others have years of leaks, failed stumps or extensive asbestos. We inspect the structure, subfloor and roof and explain what a renovation would involve, so you can compare it with a rebuild on your own terms.
Can we stay in our Fawkner home while it is extended?
Often, for the early stages. A rear extension can be framed and roofed while you live in the front of the house, but breaking through to the existing rooms, rewiring and floor sanding usually mean a short period away. We contain the work area, clean up each day and plan the stages with you.
Should we renovate our Fawkner house before selling, or leave it as it is?
Many Fawkner buyers look at original houses expecting to renovate, so a full renovation before sale is rarely necessary. Repairs, painting, fixing leaks and stumps that inspectors will report, and tidying the garden usually matter more. Extensions take months and need permits, so they suit owners who intend to stay and enjoy the result.
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.