Renovations in Toorak
Heritage streets, demanding briefs, flawless execution.
Why renovating in Toorak is different
Toorak is one of Melbourne's most tightly governed residential pockets. Heritage overlays, neighbourhood character controls, and Stonnington Council's planning requirements mean a renovation here is shaped by approvals long before the first wall comes down. We plan for that from day one.
The building stock is unforgiving. Solid-brick Edwardians, interwar villas, and heavily altered mid-century homes all hide surprises — old footings, unsupported openings, services run without records. Our site assessment is deliberately thorough so structural realities are priced honestly upfront.
Expectations are equally high. Toorak clients typically come with an architect, an interior designer, and a clear standard of finish. We're comfortable inside that team, working to documented detail rather than improvising on site.
Finally, these are lived-in streets. Narrow frontages, protected trees, and close neighbours demand disciplined site management — staged deliveries, contained work zones, and clear communication for the full duration of the build.
Our renovation process in Toorak
- 01
Initial Consultation & Site Assessment
We walk the property with you, review your brief, and assess structure, services, and site constraints. You leave with a clear view of what's achievable and a realistic budget range.
- 02
Design & Council Approval
We work alongside your architect or ours to finalise documentation, then handle building and planning permits with Stonnington Council. Heritage overlay submissions are managed end to end.
- 03
Demolition & Structural Work
Careful, staged demolition protects the fabric worth keeping. Footings, steel, and framing are then set out with the tolerances the rest of the build depends on.
- 04
Rough-In & Services
Electrical, plumbing, hydronics, and data are coordinated before linings close up. Every service is positioned against the final joinery and fixture set, not guessed at.
- 05
Finishes & Detailing
Joinery, stone, tiling, and paint are installed by long-standing trade partners. This is where the project is won or lost, so we hold shadow lines, reveals, and junctions to a fixed standard.
- 06
Handover & Warranty
We complete a joint defects walk-through, hand over manuals and warranties, and remain available afterwards. All work is covered by domestic building insurance and our own warranty.
Toorak Residence
A 420 sqm full-home renovation of a period residence on a heritage-sensitive Toorak street. The brief was to keep the formal front rooms intact while completely reworking the rear of the home into a single open living, dining, and kitchen volume opening to the garden.
The challenges were structural and procedural. Removing two loadbearing walls required steel transfer beams threaded through an existing roof structure, and underpinning was needed where original footings had dropped. Planning approval under the heritage overlay meant the new rear form had to be set back and detailed to sit quietly behind the retained façade — resolved with the heritage consultant before documentation was locked.
The result is a home that reads as original from the street and entirely contemporary from the garden, delivered on programme with no variations to the structural scope.
View all projects →Toorak renovation FAQs
Do I need council approval for a renovation in Toorak?
Most Toorak renovations require a building permit, and many also need planning approval through Stonnington Council — particularly where a heritage overlay applies. We manage the full permit process on your behalf, from documentation to approval.
How much does a renovation cost in Toorak?
Full-home renovations in Toorak typically start in the mid six figures and scale with size, structural scope, and finish level. We provide a transparent, itemised quote after an initial site assessment rather than a headline number.
How long does a typical Toorak renovation take?
Allow three to six months for design and approvals, then six to twelve months on site for a full-home renovation. Heritage properties and complex structural work sit at the longer end of that range.
Can you work on heritage-listed properties in Toorak?
Yes. We are a Victorian Building Authority registered builder (Licence CDB-U 68423) with 20+ years working on period homes, and we regularly deliver projects under heritage overlay conditions alongside heritage consultants and architects.
Registered Builder
Victorian Building Authority registered. Licence CDB-U 68423.
20+ Years Local
Deep roots in Melbourne's Bayside and south-east. Trusted by families for over 20 years.
Fully Insured
Public liability & home warranty insurance. Complete peace of mind.
Trusted Partners & Suppliers
We work with Melbourne's best suppliers and trades — including BPC Victoria, HIA, and E&S Trading.