Planning renovations this year? Any renovation is a big undertaking and must be planned well. If you’re uncertain about the best time to renovate, let us provide a little guidance. Ideally, you should renovate when the weather is good and you won’t have to worry too much about delays or damage due to bad weather. If you’re wondering when to renovate, we’ll tell you why spring is one of the best times in this article.
Why renovate in the spring?
If you feel that spring is a good time to renovate your home, you’re not alone. It’s the most popular time of year to renovate and remodel. There are a few reasons why so many people choose to renovate their homes in the spring.
Warm Weather
First of all, the weather is almost perfect for renovating. It’s not too cold yet not too hot, so contractors and tools won’t freeze or overheat. Plus, there’s (usually) no snow to interfere with the work being done. Sometimes there’s some rain, but if you’re planning an interior renovation, that’s not such a big deal.
Spring Sales
Another reason spring is a great time to renovate is that a lot of annual sales take place in the spring. For example, HVAC dealers often have sales on heating and cooling systems and department stores tend to offer clearance sales to make room for the new season’s stock. Take advantage of these sales to reduce the cost of your renovation.
On the other hand, it’s a busy time for contractors, so if you want to renovate during the spring, make sure you book your contractor in advance. Either way, it might be a good time to buy materials or stock up on items you’ll need for your reno.
Summer Ready
The other benefit to renovating your home in the spring is that it should be ready by the time summer rolls around, depending on the size of your renovation and as long as there are no delays in inspections. This way, if you have big summer plans, like vacations, you won’t have to worry about ongoing renovations while you’re away. If you have summer parties or BBQ’s lined up, your house will be ready to entertain.
Considerations for Planning Renovations
When deciding on the right time to renovate your home, there are plenty of factors to consider.
Budget
Perhaps the most important consideration around renovating your home is budget. You have to think about when you will have the funds available and plan ahead. Remember that life is unpredictable and even when you plan ahead, something could come up that diverts your budget elsewhere. Consider including some contingency funds in your budget to help cover costs for any surprises or complications that might arise.
Contractor Availability
You’ll also need to think about the availability of contractors. As mentioned, spring is a busy time so make sure you secure your contractor well in advance if you plan to renovate in the spring. Whatever time of the year you choose, sort out your contractor as soon as you can.
Weather
Keep the weather in mind when planning your renovations. We explained why spring weather can be favourable, but other seasons might be better for you. Regardless, don’t forget to plan accordingly! In many parts of Canada, spring normally has decent weather for renos. Depending on where you live, you might want to plan for a little later in the spring – you wouldn’t want May snow to interrupt your renovation!
Holidays
Finally, don’t forget about holidays! You might have selected what you think is the perfect reno period only to find out there’s a holiday in the middle or that your contractor is off during that time. Don’t plan your renos during major holidays and talk to your contractor about their schedule before you make a plan.
Product Lead Times
Product lead times fluctuate with the market. This means they won’t always align with the time of year or your renovation date. Stock items are easier to get and come in much quicker. However, for big-ticket items or more custom products, you’ll want to ensure there’s enough lead time to get it for your scheduled reno date.
For example, some home appliances might be harder to get your hands on amid any supply chain issues or during certain times of the year. This is something to seriously consider because if you’re renovating your kitchen, you don’t want to get to the end and not have a fridge or stove.
Protect Your Investment
Renovating your home is an investment in your house. Whether it adds value to the house or simply makes it a better fit for you and your family, you want to protect that investment. You wouldn’t want to spend all that money on a beautiful reno only to have to fork out more for furniture or appliance repairs. A Smarter Living Plan helps you protect your investment and get the most out of your renovations. It provides coverage for your appliances, home systems, and furniture.