Home Renovations Toorak
Toorak Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Toorak and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Toorak 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 Toorak.
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 Toorak
Toorak is known for large period homes on substantial blocks, many in heritage areas, alongside interwar residences, mid-century houses and low-rise luxury apartments. Many homes have been renovated more than once, leaving a mix of eras inside and services that need a thorough update. Owners often want the character of the house kept while the back is made lighter and more practical.
Typical projects here restore period facades, ceilings and joinery, rework interiors for modern family living, add rear extensions or upper-level suites, and upgrade heating, cooling, insulation and lighting. Heritage overlays cover much of Toorak, so external changes often need a planning permit from the City of Stonnington, and we plan for approvals and neighbour considerations early.
Toorak at a Glance
- Postcode
- Toorak VIC 3142
- Council
- City of Stonnington
- From the CBD
- About 6 km south-east
- Typical Homes
- Period mansions and family homes
- Interwar and Georgian revival homes
- Luxury apartments
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$5,350,000
- Median unit price$987,500
- House rent$1,500 a week
- Unit rent$695 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 Toorak
Heritage
Precincts and Individual Listings
Toorak has both heritage precincts and individually listed places. The Toorak House precinct around St Georges Road takes in houses built from the 1850s to 1961, while places such as the Langi flats on Toorak Road, attributed to Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, are listed in their own right. We check the overlay and its schedule before design.
Trees
Significant Trees and Garden Settings
Mature trees are a big part of Toorak’s character. Under the City of Stonnington’s local law, larger trees on private land can be significant, and building or digging in their tree protection zone may need a Tree Works Permit. Some heritage overlays control trees as well. We have trees considered early, since they can decide where an extension can go.
Structure
Earlier Renovations and Hidden Work
Many Toorak homes have been renovated several times, and earlier work may have removed walls without proper beams, built over old drains or left a mix of wiring. We look for signs of this during the inspection and bring in an engineer where the structure is uncertain. If opening up walls reveals more, we discuss it with you before going further.
Heating
Heating and Cooling Large Homes
Large period and interwar homes in Toorak often have an old boiler, ducted heating added in the 1980s or no cooling at all. Hydronic heating, zoned ducted systems or reverse-cycle units can be planned so ducts and pipes don’t cut through ornate ceilings. Insulation and draught sealing come first, as they make any system cheaper to run.
Neighbours
Neighbours and Site Management
Toorak streets are quiet, and neighbours notice construction traffic, noise and parking. A clear plan for deliveries, skip bins, trade parking and work hours helps keep things running smoothly. Larger projects may also need protection for shared fences and neighbouring trees. We contain the site, clean up daily and keep you informed about any disruption.
Pools
Pools and Rear Extensions
Many Toorak gardens include a pool, and where a rear extension comes close to it, barrier rules, setbacks and the pool structure all need checking. Victorian pools must be registered with council and the barrier kept compliant, and building work can affect both. We plan the extension so the barrier stays compliant during and after the work.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Toorak
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Toorak 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 Toorak
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 Toorak 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 Toorak
Toorak (3142) is about 6 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Toorak and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneCan I demolish part of my Toorak home in a heritage overlay?
Demolition in a heritage overlay generally needs a planning permit from the City of Stonnington, including for part of a house. Council looks at whether that part contributes to the heritage value, so later additions are often easier to remove than original fabric. We check the overlay and grading before any plans are drawn.
Can we add an upper level to our Toorak home?
Often, depending on the heritage overlay, the zone and the neighbours. In a heritage area, council generally expects new upper floors to sit behind the original roof form and be recessive from the street. Overlooking and overshadowing of neighbouring gardens are also assessed. We check the planning controls before you pay for detailed drawings.
How long does a full renovation of a Toorak home take?
It depends on size, permits and finishes. Planning permits in heritage areas, engineering and long lead items such as custom joinery or imported stone often take longer than the building work itself. We give you a written schedule after design, and update it if permits or discoveries on site change the timing.
Do you manage all the trades for a Toorak renovation?
Yes. Our own team of trades, designers and project managers handles the work, with licensed plumbers and electricians, and you deal with one contact throughout. For a large Toorak home this means coordinating joinery, stone, heating and landscaping in the right order, so trades aren’t left waiting on each other.
Is it worth renovating my Toorak home before I sell?
Buyers of Toorak period homes often bring their own architect, so a major renovation just before sale doesn’t always suit. Attending to maintenance, such as slate or tile roof repairs, garden upkeep and services that are failing, is usually a better use of the time. Work that needs a planning permit in a heritage overlay rarely fits a sale timeline.
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.