Home Renovations Williamstown
Williamstown Homes,
Reimagined
Complete home renovations in Williamstown and across Melbourne for over 20 years, from a single room to the whole house. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Williamstown 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 Williamstown.
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 Williamstown
Williamstown’s maritime history shows in its weatherboard and bluestone cottages, Victorian villas and interwar homes, many in heritage precincts close to the water. Many houses are narrow with a period front and a tired rear addition, and salt air takes a toll on timber and metal. Bluestone foundations and old timber stumps often need attention.
Typical Williamstown home renovations include restoring period fronts and weatherboards, replacing rear additions with open living, adding upper-level bedrooms where heritage controls allow, and upgrading insulation, glazing and services. Failing stumps and rusted roofing and spouting are also common repairs. Heritage Overlays cover large parts of Williamstown, so external changes often need a planning permit from Hobsons Bay City Council, and we factor approvals into the schedule.
Williamstown at a Glance
- Postcode
- Williamstown VIC 3016
- Council
- Hobsons Bay City Council
- From the CBD
- About 8 km south-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian weatherboards
- Bluestone and brick cottages
- Interwar homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,570,000
- Median unit price$830,000
- House rent$860 a week
- Unit rent$585 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 Williamstown
Heritage
Heritage Precinct Permits
Williamstown has several Heritage Overlay precincts, from the Government Survey area near Nelson Place to The Strand and the Williamstown Beach precinct. Demolition, new additions, front fences and changes visible from the street generally need a planning permit from Hobsons Bay City Council. We confirm how your house is treated in the precinct before design starts.
Design
Upper Levels Behind a Cottage
Second storeys on Williamstown cottages are usually set well back from the front so the original roof form still reads from the street. That often means a two-storey rear addition rather than building over the front rooms. Sightlines, overlooking of neighbours and height all affect what council will accept, so we test options early.
Structure
Stumps and Subfloors
Weatherboard homes on the low, flat land near the bay often have timber or concrete stumps that have sunk or rotted, leaving floors uneven and doors sticking. Restumping before or during a renovation gives a level base for new work. We check the subfloor at the first visit and include any restumping in the quote.
Coastal
Coastal Weathering
Salty air off Port Phillip Bay is hard on roofing, spouting, nails and paint. During a renovation it makes sense to use roofing and flashings suited to a marine environment, stainless or suitable galvanised fixings and good quality exterior paint on weatherboards. These choices cut maintenance on homes close to the Esplanade and the Strand.
Energy
Cold Period Houses
Uninsulated weatherboards with single glazing lose heat quickly when cold winds come in off the bay. A renovation is the time to add ceiling, wall and underfloor insulation, seal draughts and use double glazing in new work. Heritage controls mainly concern the street front, so better windows in a rear addition are usually straightforward.
Asbestos
Fibro Additions and Sleepouts
Rear additions, lean-tos and sleepouts built onto Williamstown homes from the 1950s to the 1980s frequently used asbestos cement sheeting. Testing before demolition tells you what is there, and larger quantities must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. We build this into the program so the main works are not held up.
Get a Free Home Estimate in Williamstown
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Williamstown 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 Williamstown
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 Williamstown 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 Williamstown
Williamstown (3016) is about 8 km south-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate homes in Williamstown and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Home Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can I add a second storey to my Williamstown cottage?
Often, yes, but in a Heritage Overlay the upper level is usually set well back so the original cottage still reads as single storey from the street. Hobsons Bay City Council will look at height, setback and materials. We check the controls and the impact on neighbours for your site before design.
What can I change on the front of a Williamstown house in a heritage precinct?
Restoring original details, such as verandah lacework, weatherboards and windows, is generally welcomed. New front fences, demolishing original parts and alterations visible from the street usually need a planning permit where a Heritage Overlay applies, and some overlays also control external paint colours. We check the schedule for your address and advise what is likely to be approved.
Do I need to restump before renovating?
If floors slope, doors stick or the stumps are timber, it is worth inspecting the subfloor first. Many Williamstown weatherboards have original stumps that have rotted or sunk on the flat, damp land near the bay. Restumping before new kitchens and bathrooms are fitted avoids cracked tiles and joinery later.
How long does a home renovation in Williamstown take?
It depends on the scope and approvals. A rear extension in a heritage precinct needs design, a planning permit and a building permit before work starts, which can take several months. Construction then depends on size and finishes. We set out the permit and building stages in writing so you can plan where to live.
Which renovations make sense before selling a Williamstown period home?
Buyers of Williamstown period homes tend to value original features in good repair, so restoring the front verandah, repainting weatherboards and fixing stumps and roofing are sensible first steps. Updating a dated kitchen or bathroom can help too. Larger additions in a heritage precinct need permits and time, so they rarely suit a short timeline before a sale or lease.
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.