Home Renovations McKinnon
McKinnon Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in McKinnon and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your McKinnon 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 McKinnon.
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 McKinnon
McKinnon’s streets mix interwar Californian bungalows and postwar brick homes with modern double-storey builds, all on flat blocks close to schools and the Frankston line. Many original homes have a front lounge, a long hallway and a small rear kitchen, with little connection to the garden. Owners often extend rather than knock down to keep the bungalow’s character.
Common home projects here include adding a rear extension with open kitchen, living and dining, building a second storey for bedrooms, restoring bungalow facades and features, and improving insulation, glazing and heating. Extensions need building permits and some streets are covered by planning controls, so we confirm approvals with Glen Eira City Council early in the project.
McKinnon at a Glance
- Postcode
- McKinnon VIC 3204
- Council
- Glen Eira City Council
- From the CBD
- About 13 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Interwar Californian bungalows
- Postwar brick homes
- New double-storey homes
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,877,500
- Median unit price$876,000
- House rent$900 a week
- Unit rent$800 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 McKinnon
Heritage
Heritage Places in McKinnon
Some McKinnon properties are in Glen Eira’s Heritage Overlay, such as an early Californian bungalow on McKinnon Road, and council has carried out a heritage review of McKinnon that may lead to more places being protected. Heritage controls mostly affect external changes and demolition. We check your property’s status before design.
Flooding
Elster Creek Catchment
McKinnon is in the Elster Creek catchment, which drains much of Glen Eira to the bay at Elwood, and parts of the suburb may be in a Special Building Overlay for overland flooding. Where it applies, a planning permit and minimum floor levels may be needed for an extension. We check flood information early.
Trees
Canopy Tree Protection
Glen Eira’s canopy tree local law generally requires a permit to remove or prune larger trees on private land, or to carry out works within their tree protection zone. Many McKinnon backyards have established trees near the rear fence. We check the trees on your block before siting an extension or footings.
Structure
Second Storey Additions
Adding a second storey to a McKinnon bungalow or postwar home needs the existing structure checked, as the walls and footings were not designed for an upper floor. The upper floor is often carried on a new structural frame, or built over a rear extension instead. An engineer reviews the house before design.
Energy
Insulation and Glazing
Interwar and postwar McKinnon homes often have little insulation and single-glazed windows, making them cold in winter and warm in summer. Ceiling and underfloor insulation, draught sealing and double glazing in the extension improve comfort. We also look at the heating and cooling for the whole house.
Get a Free Home Estimate in McKinnon
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your McKinnon 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 McKinnon
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 McKinnon 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.
Our Work Near McKinnon
Home Renovations In and Around McKinnon
McKinnon (3204) is about 13 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in McKinnon and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Is my McKinnon home in a heritage overlay?
Most McKinnon homes are not, but some are, and Glen Eira has reviewed the suburb for more heritage places. Your VicPlan property report shows any overlay on your address. If one applies, external changes and demolition usually need a planning permit. We check this before design so there are no surprises later.
Does flooding affect extending in McKinnon?
It can. Much of McKinnon drains to Elster Creek, and where a Special Building Overlay covers your block, Glen Eira and Melbourne Water usually set a minimum floor height for new rooms and a planning permit is needed. The extension may then sit a step or two above the existing floor. We ask for the flood level before the floor plan is fixed.
Can we stay in our McKinnon home during an extension?
Often, for most of the build. A rear extension can be constructed while you use the front of the house, and the new kitchen or bathroom can be finished before the old ones come out. Short periods away may be needed when the extension is joined to the house. We plan the stages with you.
What should we do before selling our McKinnon bungalow?
Original features such as leadlights, fireplaces and timber floors are part of what draws buyers to McKinnon bungalows, so keep them and make them look cared for. Patching cracked plaster, restoring the front verandah, painting and clearing the garden do more than a rushed new kitchen. Fixing leaks or stump problems an inspector would find is worthwhile, while an extension is a project for owners who are staying.
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.