Home Renovations Reservoir
Reservoir Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Reservoir and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Reservoir 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 Reservoir.
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 Reservoir
Reservoir is largely post-war, with weatherboard and brick veneer homes on suburban blocks, along with some earlier period homes and many newer townhouses where blocks have been subdivided. The suburb takes its name from water supply reservoirs built north of Preston from 1864, and a lot of its original houses still have their 1950s or 1960s layouts and finishes.
Common Reservoir home renovations include updating kitchens and bathrooms, opening up living areas, and bringing floors, lighting and electrics up to date. Our Reservoir home renovation went further, restoring a period home inside and out. Most interior work doesn’t need a planning permit, and requirements are confirmed with Darebin City Council at the start.
Reservoir at a Glance
- Postcode
- Reservoir VIC 3073
- Council
- Darebin City Council
- From the CBD
- About 12 km north
- Typical Homes
- Post-war weatherboards
- Brick veneer homes
- Period homes
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$965,000
- Median unit price$665,000
- House rent$600 a week
- Unit rent$540 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Planning a Reservoir Home Renovation
Heritage
Restoring Period Character
Our Reservoir home renovation, completed in 2022, restored a period home with new double-hung windows and weatherboards to the facade, custom gables, turned posts, Jarrah floors, plaster panelling, archways, cornices and ceiling roses. Work like this relies on careful detailing and trades who know period joinery, which we plan for from the start.
Soil
Clay Soils and Movement
Much of Melbourne’s north sits on basalt-derived clays that swell when wet and shrink in dry spells, and parts of Reservoir are on this kind of ground. Cracked plaster, sticking doors and uneven floors can point to stump or footing movement. Extensions need footings designed for the soil class, which a soil test confirms.
Planning
The Merrilands Estate
The north-west of Reservoir includes the Merrilands Estate, laid out in 1918 by Saxil Tuxen as a garden city style subdivision around Hughes Parade and Botha Avenue. Some houses there are older than the post-war homes found across most of Reservoir. We check the planning property report for any overlay before design starts.
Structure
Working With Brick Veneer
Brick veneer homes from the 1950s and 1960s have a timber frame inside the brick skin. Removing internal walls, adding openings or extending at the rear means working with that frame, the roof framing and the existing footings. An engineer checks the structure wherever loads change, and the building permit covers it.
Electrical
Rewiring and Replumbing
Original Reservoir homes commonly have old wiring, few power points and galvanised water pipes. A whole-house renovation is the right time to rewire, upgrade the switchboard and replace pipes, while walls and floors are open. We include this in the fixed-price written quote rather than finding it halfway through the job.
Neighbours
Units Next Door
Many Reservoir streets now have units behind or beside older houses. If you are renovating the front house while a neighbour develops, or after subdividing your own block, overlooking, shared driveways and drainage need attention. We place new windows and outdoor areas to keep privacy and sunlight where they matter.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Reservoir
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Reservoir 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 Reservoir
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 Reservoir 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 Reservoir
Reservoir (3073) is about 12 km north of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Reservoir and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneCan you restore a period home in Reservoir?
Yes. Our Reservoir home renovation project, completed in 2022, was a full interior and exterior refurbishment of a period home, including a new front facade, polished Jarrah floors, custom plasterwork, period lighting, and a period kitchen, bathroom, ensuite and laundry. The project page has photos and the full scope of work.
Do we need a permit to extend our Reservoir house?
A rear extension usually needs a building permit, and a planning permit may be needed depending on the zone, site coverage and any overlay on the property. Internal work generally needs neither, unless load-bearing walls are moved. We check the planning property report and confirm requirements with Darebin City Council.
Should we renovate or rebuild our 1950s Reservoir weatherboard?
Many post-war Reservoir weatherboards are structurally sound and renovate well, especially when the floor and roof framing are in good condition. If the stumps, frame and services all need replacing, the balance can shift. We inspect the house and give you an honest view of the options before you decide.
What should we fix before selling or leasing our Reservoir house?
In Reservoir, buyers and tenants are often comparing an original house with newer townhouses nearby. Start with the essentials: safe wiring, working heating, sound floors and no leaks. Then look at fresh paint, updated light fittings and tidy floor coverings. Kitchen or bathroom updates come next. A larger renovation usually suits 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.