Starting a home improvement project can feel like gambling in Vegas if you don’t plan ahead. Every little detail needs to be mapped out — including the time you choose to fix your home. We’ve got you covered if you’re unsure when to renovate.
Timing is everything when it comes to home improvement. As you can imagine, renovating during the holiday season is a disastrous idea. That’s because many hard-working contractors will be taking well-deserved vacations. Maybe they’re using the 10 best travel apps to plan their next adventures.
In this handy tip for homeowners, we’ll break down all the details you need to keep in mind when upgrading your home. Scroll down for the best and worst times to renovate. Plus, use Kim’s secret tip at the end to find the perfect fit for the job.
Let’s start with the good
Most people renovate their homes in summer — and for good reason. Contractors don’t have to worry about fighting ice, snow and sludge. Since the weather is good, jobs go relatively easily. After all, you can work faster if you aren’t worried about a blizzard hitting!
Of course, this is especially important when you’re planning outdoor work. According to the University of Minnesota, the best time to renovate your lawn is from mid-August to mid-September. Early spring is another good time since your lawn has time to grow.
Opting for the warmer months is better, even if you need indoor renovation. That’s because winter storms can lead to product delays. If you think this doesn’t impact you because you live in a warm climate, think again.
Let’s say you live in sunny Arizona, so you schedule a job during winter. If your contractors use supplies from the Midwest, say hello to delays. Speaking of which, let’s move on to the worst times to upgrade your house.
Next, here’s the bad — and the ugly
As we mentioned earlier, the holiday season is one of the worst times to renovate your home. Many workers will take holiday vacations, so you may not have as many contractors to choose from. Here are a few more reasons why holiday home renovations are a terrible idea:
- It might take longer for contractors to get the supplies they need due to winter storms and delays.
- It could stress you and your family out to have strangers around the house when you’re trying to celebrate.
- Plus, holiday obligations might leave you too busy to focus on managing different construction responsibilities.
As a result, we recommend scheduling your home improvement projects far away from the holidays. But if you insist, you should prepare for chaos and plan to have holiday gatherings away from home. Also, don’t put decorations around the house. They could get in the way of the contractors.
Plan for winter delays and pick a contractor who responds quickly. There’s nothing worse than a messy home and a contractor who won’t answer your calls.
To ensure you aren’t left high and dry this holiday season, plan to wait until after the bell strikes 12 and the New Year comes in. Of course, you could also plan to renovate before Thanksgiving or Christmas. You might need to work quickly, though!
Once you decide when to renovate your home, do this
Hammering down the perfect time isn’t easy. Once you decide when to get the job done, it’s time to look for the perfect person for the job. Before you hire them, ask them these important questions.
But if you aren’t sure where to find contractors, it may feel like you’re up a creek without a paddle. There are so many scammy sharks out there, after all. Luckily, you can use Kim’s favorite free tool for finding reliable contractors, our sponsor Angi.
Angi will match you with the best contractor for any renovation job you need. You can schedule seasonal jobs like an AC tuneup or routine maintenance like lawn care. Angi even lets you pay securely through its app once your home project is done. How easy is that?
Taking care of your home has never been this straightforward. Get Angi, your home for everything home. Download the free app today at Angi.com!
