Home Renovations Richmond
Richmond Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Richmond and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Richmond 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 Richmond.
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 Richmond
Richmond is full of Victorian workers’ cottages and terraces on narrow blocks, along with warehouse conversions and modern apartments. The land rises around Richmond Hill and falls away to the Yarra and the river flats toward Burnley, which were long used for industry. Many cottages are small, with low-ceilinged rear additions and tiny courtyards, and much of the suburb is in a Heritage Overlay.
That shapes most Richmond home renovations: making small homes feel bigger with open rear living, skylights and smart storage, fitting modern bathrooms into tight spaces, and repairing older structures. The City of Yarra usually requires a planning permit for external changes, and we plan around narrow access and close neighbours.
Richmond at a Glance
- Postcode
- Richmond VIC 3121
- Council
- City of Yarra
- From the CBD
- About 4 km east
- Typical Homes
- Single-fronted Victorian workers’ cottages
- Terraces
- Warehouse and factory conversions
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,350,000
- Median unit price$630,000
- House rent$900 a week
- Unit rent$625 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Renovate a Home in Richmond
Heritage
Many Precincts, One Suburb
Richmond has many separate heritage precincts, such as Elm Grove, Bell Street, Highett Street and Victoria Street, plus individually listed places. Each precinct has its own statement of significance, which council uses when assessing extensions and changes. We check the precinct and grading for your address, because they shape what the City of Yarra is likely to support.
Planning
Small Blocks and Site Coverage
Many Richmond cottages sit on very small blocks with little yard left. Extending at the back can run into planning standards for site coverage, overshadowing of neighbours and space for light. Building up with a set-back second level is often the way to gain room. We assess what your block allows before a design is drawn.
Structure
Renovating a Converted Warehouse
Richmond’s converted factories and warehouses come with exposed brick, steel and timber, and sometimes old industrial floors. A renovation might add a mezzanine, a new bathroom or better roof insulation. Structural changes need an engineer and a building permit, and buildings shared with other owners need owners corporation approval before work starts.
Neighbours
Cottages Built in Pairs and Rows
Many Richmond cottages were built in pairs or rows, sharing a wall and sometimes a roofline with the house next door. Changes to the roof, gutters or shared wall affect your neighbour too. Protection work notices may be needed under the Building Act, and we keep neighbours informed about timing, noise and access.
Timing
Working Around Event Days
Richmond sits beside the MCG and the sports and entertainment precinct, and on big event days nearby streets can have heavier traffic and parking restrictions. Deliveries of frames, bricks and skips are best scheduled around those days. In narrow streets, a skip on the road may also need a council permit, so we plan logistics as part of the program.
Electrical
Replacing Old Services
Many Richmond cottages still have old wiring, small switchboards and galvanised water pipes. A renovation is the right time to replace them, add enough circuits for modern appliances and consider moving from gas to electric. Our licensed electricians and plumbers handle the work and provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety and a plumbing compliance certificate.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Richmond
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Richmond 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 Richmond
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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Richmond (3121) is about 4 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Richmond 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 find out which heritage precinct my Richmond house is in?
A planning property report from the Victorian Government’s planning website, or the Yarra Planning Scheme maps, show whether your property has a Heritage Overlay and its number. The Victorian Heritage Database also lists many Richmond addresses with their precinct and grading. We check this at the start of any project.
Is it better to extend back or build up on a small Richmond block?
On many small Richmond blocks there is little yard to extend into, so a set-back upper level may give more space while keeping the courtyard. Building up is more involved structurally and needs sound footings, while a rear extension may be limited by site coverage and neighbours’ light. We compare both options for your block before design.
Can you renovate a warehouse conversion in Richmond?
Yes. We plan around the existing shell, such as brick walls, steel beams and concrete floors, and bring in an engineer for any structural change like a new mezzanine. If the building is shared, we prepare the documents the owners corporation needs and agree work hours and access before starting.
What should I renovate before leasing out my Richmond cottage?
Concentrate on safety and the basics tenants rely on: sound wiring, working heating, a reliable kitchen and bathroom, secure windows and doors, and no damp or mould. Many Richmond cottages are small and old, so fixing draughts and adding storage helps too. Larger changes that need heritage approval are better planned separately from a quick turnaround between tenants.
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.