Home Renovations Northcote
Northcote Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Northcote and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Northcote 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 Northcote.
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 Northcote
Northcote’s streets mix Victorian and Edwardian cottages and villas, interwar weatherboard bungalows and post-war homes, with newer apartments along High Street. Many houses have been extended at the back over the years, not always well, and parts of the suburb, including Ruckers Hill and several Westgarth and Northcote streets, are covered by heritage controls.
That shapes most of our Northcote home renovations: replacing old rear additions with open-plan living, adding a bathroom or upstairs space, and restoring floors, windows and period details. We check Darebin City Council’s heritage requirements early so the design suits the street and the approvals process.
Northcote at a Glance
- Postcode
- Northcote VIC 3070
- Council
- Darebin City Council
- From the CBD
- About 6 km north-east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian cottages
- Interwar weatherboards
- Post-war homes
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,675,000
- Median unit price$680,000
- House rent$880 a week
- Unit rent$590 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in a Northcote Home Renovation
Heritage
Heritage Overlays and Gradings
The Darebin Planning Scheme applies Heritage Overlays to parts of Northcote, including the Ruckers Hill and Gladstone Avenue precincts as well as individually listed houses. In these areas demolition, extensions and external changes generally need a planning permit, and how your house is graded within a precinct affects what council will accept. We check this before any design work.
Structure
Replacing Old Rear Additions
Many Northcote homes have a string of rear additions from different decades, each with its own floor level, roof and ceiling height. Removing them and building one well-insulated living area at the back is often simpler than patching them up, and it is usually where a heritage overlay gives the most room to move.
Layout
Adding a Second Storey
Going up is a common way to gain bedrooms on Northcote’s narrower blocks, but in heritage areas council usually wants an upper level set back so it is hard to see from the street. Overlooking of neighbours’ yards also needs to be addressed. We look at both before you commit to a design.
Design
Restoring Period Details
Victorian and Edwardian homes in Northcote often still have timber floors, ceiling roses, fireplaces, decorative verandahs and double-hung windows worth keeping. Restoring these in the front rooms while modernising the back is a common approach, and it usually sits comfortably with Darebin’s heritage requirements. Matching repairs also keep the house consistent with its street.
Insulation
Comfort in Old Weatherboards
Weatherboard villas and bungalows in Northcote are often uninsulated and draughty. A renovation is the time to insulate walls and ceilings, seal gaps under floors and choose double glazing for new rear windows. Original front windows in a heritage area can be repaired and draught-sealed rather than replaced.
Asbestos
Asbestos and Old Services
Homes built or extended before 1990 can contain asbestos in eaves, lean-tos and wet areas, and many still have old wiring and galvanised pipes. We check these early so they are in your fixed-price quote, and replacement is done by licensed trades with the right compliance certificates.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Northcote
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Northcote 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 Northcote
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 Northcote 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 Northcote
Northcote (3070) is about 6 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Northcote and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
How do I know if my Northcote house is in a Heritage Overlay?
You can search your address on VicPlan, the Victorian Government’s planning map, and it will list any overlays. Northcote has precinct overlays such as Ruckers Hill as well as individually listed homes. We check the overlay and the relevant Darebin heritage policy for your property before starting any design.
Can we add a second storey to a heritage home in Northcote?
Often, yes, but it usually needs a planning permit and careful design. Council generally prefers an upper level that is set back from the front so the original house still reads clearly from the street. We look at the block, the overlay and the neighbours before suggesting what is likely to be approved.
Can we live in the house during a Northcote home renovation?
For a rear extension, many families stay in the front rooms while the back is closed off and built. For larger jobs involving the roof, services or most rooms at once, moving out for part of the build is usually easier and safer. We discuss this when we prepare your quote.
Where do we start with an old Northcote house that needs everything?
We begin with a visit to your Northcote home to look at the structure, the overlays and what you need from the house, then give you a detailed fixed-price written quote. Doing the work in a planned order, structure and services first, avoids redoing finishes later.
Which jobs matter most when preparing a Northcote property for sale or lease?
In Northcote’s weatherboard cottages and bungalows, buyers and inspectors usually look first at stumps, weatherboards, roof and gutters, and old wiring. Fix those, then repaint and restore original features such as fireplaces and timber floors. Parts of Northcote, including Ruckers Hill, are in a Heritage Overlay, so check with Darebin City Council before changing the front of the house, fences or windows facing the street.
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.