Home Renovations North Melbourne
North Melbourne Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in North Melbourne and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your North Melbourne 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 North Melbourne.
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 North Melbourne
North Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s earliest suburbs, with rows of Victorian terraces, small workers’ cottages and corner shops close to the Queen Victoria Market, plus apartments and converted warehouses on its edges. Blocks are narrow, many homes share walls with neighbours, and plenty still have their original front rooms with a patchwork of later additions at the back.
Typical North Melbourne home renovations replace tired rear additions with open, light-filled living, add a bedroom or study upstairs where it can sit discreetly behind the facade, restore original fireplaces, ceilings and floors, and improve insulation and draught-proofing. Large parts of the suburb are covered by heritage controls, so the City of Melbourne often requires a planning permit for external work, and we plan around shared walls and tight street access.
North Melbourne at a Glance
- Postcode
- North Melbourne VIC 3051
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 2 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian terraces
- Workers’ cottages
- Mid-century flats
- Apartments and warehouse conversions
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,176,000
- Median unit price$570,000
- House rent$780 a week
- Unit rent$610 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 North Melbourne
Heritage
The North and West Melbourne Precinct
Much of North Melbourne sits within HO3, the North & West Melbourne heritage precinct. Amendment C403, gazetted in July 2025, revised its boundary and statement of significance, added new individual overlays and changed many property gradings. Demolition, extensions and visible upper levels generally need a planning permit, so we start with your property’s current listing.
Neighbours
Building on a Party Wall
Most North Melbourne terraces share walls with neighbours, and a rear extension or upper floor often builds along or onto the boundary. Work near a shared wall can require protection work notices to the neighbour under Victoria’s building laws, as well as structural design for shared footings. We allow time for this process before construction starts.
Planning
Upper Levels Behind the Facade
A first-floor addition to a single-storey cottage or terrace is often possible in North Melbourne, but heritage policy generally expects it to be set back so it is not prominent from the street. Overshadowing of neighbouring courtyards is also assessed. An early sketch and site analysis shows what is realistic before you commit to full design.
Flooding
Low Ground Near Arden and Macaulay
The western edge of North Melbourne, towards Arden Street and the Moonee Ponds Creek, was once part of the West Melbourne Swamp and is low lying with known flood risk. If your property is in this area, check for flood overlays and any floor level requirements before designing an extension. We look this up for your address.
Access
Tight Streets and Laneways
Many North Melbourne streets are narrow, with permit parking and no driveways, and some homes are reached from rear bluestone laneways. Deliveries, skip bins and scaffolding may need City of Melbourne permits to use the road or footpath. We plan the build sequence around these access points so neighbours and the street are disrupted as little as possible.
Insulation
Draught-Proofing a Victorian Terrace
High ceilings, open fireplaces, suspended timber floors and old sash windows make North Melbourne terraces hard to keep warm. Sealing unused chimneys, insulating under the floor and in the roof, and fitting secondary glazing behind original windows can improve comfort a great deal without changing the facade that heritage controls protect.
Get a Free Home Estimate in North Melbourne
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your North Melbourne 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 North Melbourne
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 North Melbourne 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 North Melbourne
North Melbourne (3051) is about 2 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in North Melbourne and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
What does my property’s heritage category mean for an extension in North Melbourne?
The City of Melbourne grades places as significant, contributory or non-contributory. A significant or contributory building generally has to keep its front section and roof form, with additions set back and less visible. A non-contributory property within a precinct still needs a permit for most external work, but has more flexibility. We check the grading before design.
Will my North Melbourne renovation need a building permit as well as a planning permit?
Often both. A planning permit from the City of Melbourne deals with heritage and siting, while a building permit from a registered building surveyor confirms the structure meets building regulations. Work can only start once the building permit is issued. Some internal changes need a building permit but no planning permit, and we coordinate both.
How long does a terrace renovation take in North Melbourne?
Allow time for planning before building starts: design and engineering come first, and a heritage planning permit can take several months. Construction of a rear extension usually takes several more months, depending on size and access. We give you a clear program once the scope and permits are known.
What renovations are sensible before selling or leasing a North Melbourne terrace?
Intact period features are part of a North Melbourne terrace’s appeal, so repairing rather than replacing them is usually wise: restoring fireplaces, patching ornate ceilings, freeing sash windows and repainting. Deal with rising damp, roof leaks and old wiring before they appear on a building report. Major heritage works need permits, so leave them unless you have time.
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.