Home Renovations Gowanbrae
Gowanbrae Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Gowanbrae and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Gowanbrae 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 Gowanbrae.
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 Gowanbrae
Gowanbrae is a quiet, largely self-contained suburb bounded by the Western Ring Road, the Tullamarine Freeway, the Albion to Jacana railway line and Moonee Ponds Creek. It was subdivided for housing from the late 1990s, so its brick homes, many of them double-storey, are relatively modern, and some on the higher streets look across the creek parklands towards the city.
The houses are generally sound but carry finishes from when they were built, and layouts may not suit changing households, from home offices to multigenerational living. Common projects include reconfiguring living areas, renovating kitchens, bathrooms and laundries together, adding rooms or building over the garage, and improving insulation and glazing. Extensions and structural changes need a building permit, and we check Merri-bek City Council planning requirements first.
Gowanbrae at a Glance
- Postcode
- Gowanbrae VIC 3043
- Council
- Merri-bek City Council
- From the CBD
- About 13 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Late 1990s and 2000s brick family homes
- Double-storey houses
- Townhouses
- Homes on sloping blocks
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,000,000
- House rent$655 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 Gowanbrae
Planning
Restrictive Covenants on Title
Some Gowanbrae lots carry restrictive covenants from the original subdivision, such as a limit on further subdivision. A covenant can affect an extension or a second dwelling even when the planning scheme would otherwise allow it, and varying one needs a planning application. We ask for a current title search early so any covenant is considered before design.
Permits
Environmental Significance Overlay
Parts of Gowanbrae are covered by an Environmental Significance Overlay, which can bring extra planning requirements for buildings and works on affected land. It doesn’t apply to every lot. We check your property report and Merri-bek City Council’s requirements before design, so you know early whether a planning permit is needed for your extension.
Structure
Extending Over the Garage
A room above the double garage is a common way to add space in Gowanbrae homes without losing any of the backyard. The garage walls and slab need to carry the new floor, which usually means an engineer’s assessment and possibly new beams or footings. The new roof also has to tie in neatly with the existing roofline.
Slope
Sloping Blocks and Levels
Some Gowanbrae streets fall towards the creek, so homes may sit on cut and fill with retaining walls at the rear. A rear extension can need stepped footings or a suspended floor to meet the existing level. We check site levels, retaining walls and stormwater drainage before design, so the new rooms sit neatly against the house.
Layout
Multigenerational Layouts
Larger Gowanbrae homes can often be reworked to give an older parent or adult child a ground floor bedroom with its own bathroom and a small sitting area. That may mean converting a formal lounge or a study. We plan wider doors, a level-entry shower and storage, so the space suits the household for many years.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Gowanbrae
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Gowanbrae 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 Gowanbrae
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 Gowanbrae 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 Gowanbrae
Gowanbrae (3043) is about 13 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Gowanbrae 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 Gowanbrae home?
It depends on your lot. Many single dwelling extensions need only a building permit, but a planning permit can be required on smaller lots or where an overlay applies, and a covenant on title may restrict what can be built. We check the zone, overlays and title with Merri-bek City Council before design.
Can I add a room above my garage?
Often, yes, but the existing garage slab and walls must be able to carry the new floor, and the roofline needs to work with the rest of the house. An engineer assesses the structure, and a building permit is required. In Gowanbrae, check the title for covenants and confirm any planning controls for your lot.
How disruptive is a renovation in a double-storey home?
It depends where the work is. Renovating the kitchen and laundry downstairs can often be done while the family lives upstairs, and bathroom work can be staged so one shower stays usable. In many Gowanbrae homes with two bathrooms and two living areas, staying at home through most of the project is practical.
Should I update my Gowanbrae home before putting it on the market?
Gowanbrae homes are relatively modern, so buyers tend to notice dated finishes more than the layout. Fresh paint, new carpet or flooring, fixing leaking showers and replacing tired light fittings usually help the home compare well with similar houses nearby. Larger changes, such as building over the garage, involve permits and months of work, so leave them for a home you will keep.
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.