Home Renovations Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Port Melbourne and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Port 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 Port 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 Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne has a strong maritime past, with Victorian cottages and terraces close to Bay Street, the distinctive interwar Garden City homes, and many newer apartments and townhouses near the foreshore. Homes are close to the water, blocks are often narrow, and many older homes have additions that no longer suit modern living.
That shapes most of our Port Melbourne home renovations: replacing tired rear additions with open living spaces, adding upstairs bedrooms where planning allows, restoring period features, and improving insulation and glazing to handle wind off the bay. Large parts of the suburb are covered by heritage controls, so the City of Port Phillip often requires a planning permit for external work, which we plan for from the start.
Port Melbourne at a Glance
- Postcode
- Port Melbourne VIC 3207
- Council
- City of Port Phillip
- From the CBD
- About 4 km south-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian workers’ cottages and terraces
- Interwar Garden City estate homes
- Beacon Cove townhouses and apartments
- Bayside apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,568,500
- Median unit price$732,000
- House rent$900 a week
- Unit rent$750 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 Port Melbourne
Heritage
Two Heritage Overlays
The City of Port Phillip has two main heritage overlays here: HO1 covers the older Port Melbourne area, generally between Graham, Clark, Ingles and Pickles Streets, and HO2 covers the Garden City housing estates. In both, extensions and external changes generally need a planning permit, and the controls for each area differ.
Flooding
Floor Levels and Flooding
Parts of Port Melbourne are low-lying, and some sit on reclaimed land. Melbourne Water may advise a minimum floor level for new rooms, and a Victorian Building Appeals Board case involved a Port Melbourne property where that level was well above the existing floor. We check flood advice for your site before designing an extension.
Neighbours
Semi-Detached and Attached Homes
Garden City pairs and Victorian terraces share walls with the house next door. Building close to or on a shared wall may need protection work notices under the building permit process, and neighbours need to be kept informed. We plan this early so it doesn’t delay the job.
Structure
Concrete Construction in Garden City
Garden City homes from the State Savings Bank era were largely built of concrete blocks with roughcast render, and the Housing Commission estate at Fishermans Bend included experimental concrete houses. Joining a new extension to masonry walls needs different detailing to a timber house, which we allow for in design and pricing.
Coastal
Wind and Salt Air
Homes near the foreshore face wind off the bay and salt air. External materials, fixings, window frames and roofing should be chosen for coastal conditions, and well-sealed double glazing helps with draughts and noise. We specify these in the quote rather than leaving them to chance.
Planning
Second Storeys in Heritage Streets
Adding an upper level to a single-storey cottage in HO1 is possible in many cases, but council usually wants it set back from the front so the streetscape is kept. We work within those expectations, and check the stumps and frame of the original cottage, so the design has a realistic chance of approval.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Port Melbourne
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Port 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 Port 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 Port 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 Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne (3207) is about 4 km south-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Port 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
Is my Port Melbourne home covered by a heritage overlay?
Quite possibly. A large part of the older suburb is in HO1, and the Garden City estates are in HO2. You can check your address through the Victorian Government’s planning property report, and we also confirm it at the start, including how your home is graded, because that affects what changes are likely to be approved.
Will Melbourne Water set a floor level for my extension?
It may. In low-lying parts of Port Melbourne, Melbourne Water can advise a minimum floor level for new habitable rooms to allow for flooding and future sea level rise. This can affect how a new room connects to the existing house. We check this before the design is finalised.
Can I extend a Garden City semi-detached home?
Often, yes, usually at the rear. Because these homes are in HO2, a planning permit is generally needed, and the extension must respect the shared wall and the pair’s matching appearance from the street. We design the extension to suit the original house and the neighbour.
Can I stay in my home during the renovation?
For a rear extension, many owners stay in the front rooms while the back is rebuilt. There will be days without a kitchen or bathroom, and we tell you those dates in advance. For larger work, such as a second storey or major structural changes, moving out for part of the job is usually easier.
Which renovations should I prioritise before selling or leasing a Port Melbourne home?
Buyers look at Port Melbourne’s cottages and Garden City homes for their character and closeness to the beach, so condition matters more than size. Rear additions that no longer suit modern living, salt-affected windows and fixings, and worn wet areas are common problems. Fix those, refresh paint and floors, and keep the street frontage intact. Heritage overlays cover large parts of Port Melbourne, so external changes can need a permit and 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.