Home Renovations Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Ivanhoe and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe.
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 Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe is one of Melbourne’s established leafy suburbs, with Edwardian and Federation homes, Californian bungalows and some notable interwar and mid-century architecture, set on sloping blocks with mature gardens. Many houses have been added to over the decades, leaving a mix of eras and a rear that turns its back on the garden.
Typical Ivanhoe home renovations replace old rear additions with open living spaces, add a second storey or a lower level that works with the slope, restore period features such as leadlight, fireplaces and ceiling roses, and upgrade insulation, glazing and heating. Several precincts are covered by heritage overlays, and extensions need building permits, so we work through planning and building approvals with Banyule City Council from the outset.
Ivanhoe at a Glance
- Postcode
- Ivanhoe VIC 3079
- Council
- Banyule City Council
- From the CBD
- About 9 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Edwardian and Federation villas
- Californian bungalows
- Interwar brick and Spanish Mission homes
- Townhouses and apartments near Upper Heidelberg Road
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,884,500
- Median unit price$777,500
- House rent$798 a week
- Unit rent$625 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Know Before Renovating a Home in Ivanhoe
Heritage
Heritage Overlay Precincts
Ivanhoe has heritage precincts in the Banyule Planning Scheme, including Marshall Street and the Sherwood Road and Thoresby Grove area, along with individually listed houses on streets such as Studley Road. In these places, demolition, extensions and visible external changes generally need a planning permit, and council heritage guidelines may apply. We check your address before design starts.
Slope
Extensions on Sloping Blocks
Many Ivanhoe blocks fall away from the street, so a rear extension at floor level can end up well above the garden. Building down, with a lower level or rumpus room under the new living area, sometimes uses the slope better than building up. Either way, engineered footings, retaining and stormwater drainage are designed with the extension from the start.
Design
Second Storeys on Period Homes
In a heritage precinct, a second storey on an Edwardian or interwar Ivanhoe house is usually set well back from the front so the original roof form stays visible from the street. Outside precincts there is more freedom, but neighbourhood character, overlooking and overshadowing rules still apply. We work through height and setbacks with your designer and council early.
Insulation
Warmer Period Homes
Ivanhoe’s older homes often have uninsulated walls, draughty sash windows, open fireplaces and gaps under timber floors. Ceiling and underfloor insulation, sealing chimneys that are no longer used, and double glazing in new additions make a noticeable difference to comfort. In heritage areas, upgrades that cannot be seen from the street are generally straightforward.
Planning
Yarra River Corridor Controls
Some land near the Yarra in and around Ivanhoe is covered by the state’s Yarra River corridor controls, a Significant Landscape Overlay and, on some private land beside the river, a Design and Development Overlay. These can affect building height, setbacks, earthworks and tree removal, so we confirm whether they apply before an extension is drawn.
Timing
Staging the Work
Ivanhoe renovations on period homes are often staged: a rear extension first while the front rooms stay in use, then the original house. Staging lets some families stay for part of the job, though not while the kitchen, bathroom or roof is opened up. We set out the stages and the time each takes in the written quote, so you can plan where to live.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Ivanhoe
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe
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 Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe (3079) is about 9 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Ivanhoe and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can I demolish an old addition on my Ivanhoe heritage home?
Demolition in a Heritage Overlay usually needs a planning permit, even at the rear. Banyule City Council looks at whether the part being removed contributes to the significance of the house. Later lean-tos and additions often do not, which helps, but we confirm this with council before your design is finalised.
Is it better to extend up or out on an Ivanhoe block?
It depends on the block. Extending out works where the rear garden is level and large; on sloping Ivanhoe lots, building down into the slope or adding a modest upper level can keep more of the garden. Heritage controls, setbacks and overshadowing of neighbours also shape the choice. We go through the options with you at the property.
How do I find out if my Ivanhoe house has a Heritage Overlay?
A free VicPlan planning property report for your address lists every overlay, including any Heritage Overlay number, such as HO5 for the Marshall Street and Thoresby Grove area. Banyule City Council also publishes heritage guidelines for some precincts. If an overlay applies, the design can follow those guidelines from the first sketch.
Which renovations make sense before selling a home in Ivanhoe?
In Ivanhoe, buyers are often drawn to period character, so repairing the front rooms, fretwork and verandah, painting, and fixing leaks or sinking stumps tends to matter more than starting an extension. Large structural changes take time for permits and building. If you plan to sell soon, focus on repairs and presentation; if you are staying, a full renovation can be planned properly.
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.