Home Renovations Templestowe
Templestowe Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Templestowe and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Templestowe 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 Templestowe.
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 Templestowe
Templestowe was orchard country for about a century, and much of it stayed sparsely settled until the 1970s, when project builders arrived and big brick houses went up across the rolling hills. Many sit on sloping blocks with split levels, formal and informal living areas and garaging under or beside the house. Most have solid bones but dated finishes, poor insulation and layouts that keep living spaces separate from the garden and views.
Common projects here are reconfiguring split-level layouts for easier living, removing walls between formal rooms, modernising kitchens and bathrooms together, adding rear extensions or upper-level living, and improving glazing, insulation and heating. Building permits are needed for structural work, and parts of Manningham have bushfire, landscape and heritage controls, so we confirm what applies before planning starts.
Templestowe at a Glance
- Postcode
- Templestowe VIC 3106
- Council
- Manningham City Council
- From the CBD
- About 17 km east
- Typical Homes
- 1970s and 1980s brick family homes
- Split-level homes on sloping blocks
- Large modern double-storey homes
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,569,000
- Median unit price$1,000,944
- House rent$950 a week
- Unit rent$710 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 Templestowe
Bushfire
Bushfire Prone Areas
Manningham lists Templestowe among its bushfire prone areas, and some properties also have a Bushfire Management Overlay. An extension in a bushfire prone area must be built to the site’s BAL rating, which affects windows, cladding, decks and vents. Where the overlay applies, a planning permit is generally needed as well.
Trees
Orchard-Era Pines and Cypresses
Rows of Monterey pines and cypresses planted as orchard windbreaks still stand in parts of Templestowe, and a Significant Landscape Overlay protects some of these plantings. Removing or lopping them, or building close by, may need a planning permit from Manningham City Council. We check before siting an extension.
Slope
Building on a Slope
Extensions on Templestowe’s hillside blocks often need engineered footings, retaining walls or a suspended floor to meet the existing levels. Cut and fill and stormwater need planning so water is directed away from the house. We arrange a feature survey early so the levels are accurate from the start.
Layout
Making Split Levels Work
Short flights of stairs between Templestowe split levels can become a problem as owners get older. Bringing the kitchen, main living area and a bedroom with ensuite onto one level, and keeping stairs only to the rumpus or garage, makes the home easier to live in long term. We map every level before design.
Energy
Comfort in Large Older Homes
Large 1970s and 1980s Templestowe houses often have high or raked ceilings, big single glazed windows and little wall insulation. Adding insulation where it can be reached, upgrading the worst glazing and zoning the heating and cooling can make a real difference to comfort. We look at these alongside any extension.
Planning
Yarra Corridor and Heritage Places
Properties near the Yarra and Westerfolds Park may fall within the Yarra River corridor controls, which can affect building height, setbacks and vegetation. A few individual places, such as the old school and memorial hall on Anderson Street, are under a Heritage Overlay. We check every control on your property.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Templestowe
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Templestowe 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 Templestowe
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 Templestowe 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 Templestowe
Templestowe (3106) is about 17 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Templestowe 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 Templestowe home in a bushfire prone area?
Possibly. Manningham City Council includes Templestowe in its list of bushfire prone areas, but the designation is mapped property by property. Your VicPlan report or a building surveyor can confirm it. If it applies, a BAL assessment sets the construction standard for an extension, deck or new windows.
Can we add a second storey to a Templestowe split-level?
Sometimes, but split-levels complicate it because floor levels and roof lines vary across the house. An engineer must check the existing walls and footings, and overlays on some Templestowe land may limit building height. Extending at the rear or over the garage is often more practical. We look at both.
What overlays should I check before renovating in Templestowe?
Depending on your address, they can include the Bushfire Management Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlays, a Heritage Overlay on a small number of places, and controls along the Yarra corridor. Each affects different work. We review your property’s planning report with you and explain what applies before design starts.
Can we stay at home while renovating in Templestowe?
Usually. Larger Templestowe homes have room to live in one part while we work in another, especially with a separate lower level. Work on the only kitchen or main bathroom is scheduled carefully. We seal off work areas and tell you in advance about noisy or disruptive stages.
Is renovating worth it before selling an older Templestowe home?
Many Templestowe homes from the 1970s and 1980s are structurally sound but dated. Before listing, attending to roof leaks, cracked tiles, worn carpets, tired paint and overgrown gardens usually matters more than a major project. Larger work takes time and can need permits in bushfire or landscape overlay areas, so start early if you go ahead.
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.