Home Renovations Kensington
Kensington Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Kensington and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Kensington 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 Kensington.
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 Kensington
Kensington combines workers’ cottages and terraces built mostly from the mid 1880s to 1914, many with heritage protection, with former saleyards and industrial land redeveloped with townhouses and apartments, including Kensington Banks beside the Maribyrnong River. The older homes are narrow, often single-fronted, with a run of rooms off a hallway and a cramped lean-to at the back. Rear lane access is common, which helps with deliveries but limits storage and parking during works.
Common projects here are replacing rear lean-tos with a light-filled kitchen and living extension, adding a bedroom upstairs where heritage controls allow, restoring facades, floors and joinery, and improving insulation and ventilation in old brick and weatherboard homes. Heritage overlays mean many external changes need a planning permit from the City of Melbourne, so we plan for approvals, party walls and tight site access.
Kensington at a Glance
- Postcode
- Kensington VIC 3031
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 4 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian workers’ cottages
- Brick and timber terraces
- Kensington Banks townhouses from the 1990s
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,094,000
- Median unit price$505,000
- House rent$750 a week
- Unit rent$615 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Know Before Renovating in Kensington
Heritage
Kensington’s Heritage Gradings
The City of Melbourne has assessed Kensington’s older buildings in detail and grades them within its heritage precincts. A house’s grading affects how much of the front can change and how visible an upper level may be. We look up your property’s overlay and grading at the start, so the design suits what council is likely to support.
Flooding
Flood Overlays Near the River and Creek
Kensington sits between the Maribyrnong River to the west and Moonee Ponds Creek to the east, and parts of the low-lying land near both are mapped for flooding. Where a flood overlay applies, an extension may need Melbourne Water’s input and a raised floor level. We check your property report before setting the floor heights.
Neighbours
Building Along a Party Wall
Kensington terraces often share a wall with the house next door, and an extension along that line can need protection work notices, footings close to the neighbour’s and careful flashing between the two roofs. We talk you through the process and give the neighbours notice, so work on the shared boundary goes smoothly for both households.
Estates
Updating Kensington Banks Townhouses
Townhouses in Kensington Banks date from the 1990s, so original kitchens, bathrooms, carpets and aluminium windows are often due for replacement. Some share walls or sit within an owners corporation, which may have rules for external colours and changes. We check these before planning a refresh or a rear addition.
Access
Working From a Narrow Lane
Rear lanes behind Kensington cottages make it easier to bring in a skip, framing and windows, but they are shared and narrow, and some are paved in old bluestone. We plan deliveries and skip placement to keep neighbours’ access open, and organise any council permits needed to occupy the lane or footpath during the works.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Kensington
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Kensington 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 Kensington
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 Kensington 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 Kensington
Kensington (3031) is about 4 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Kensington 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 add a second storey to a Kensington cottage?
Sometimes. In a heritage overlay, the City of Melbourne generally looks for an upper level set back from the front so the original roof and facade still read from the street. Height, overshadowing and overlooking of neighbours also count. We check your property’s grading and overlay, then discuss what is realistic before drawings begin.
How do I know if my Kensington property is affected by flooding?
Your VicPlan property report shows whether a flood control such as the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay or the Special Building Overlay applies. Parts of Kensington near the Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek are affected. Where one applies, an extension usually needs a permit and a set floor level. We check this early in design.
Can we stay in our Kensington home while it is extended?
With a rear extension, the front bedrooms of a Kensington cottage can often stay in use, but there will be days without water, power or a kitchen when the old and new sections are joined. We plan those stages with you, seal the work area and give you a schedule. Some families stay elsewhere for those weeks.
Should I renovate my Kensington cottage before selling or leasing it?
A full renovation is rarely needed for a sale or lease. Repainting, repairing the front fence, verandah tiles and windows, sanding floors and making sure the heating, hot water and power points are safe help a Kensington cottage present well. Larger projects in a heritage area need permits and time, so they suit owners planning to stay.
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.