The Spruce Article

Spring Is the Best Time of Year to Book These 5 Reno Projects, Contractors Say

April 9, 2024

Many homeowners like to tackle home repair and renovation projects in the summer for a variety of reasons: There's plenty of daylight for outdoor projects, said projects won't get ruined by snow, and time off can either A) give time for meeting with tradespeople or B) give you time to vacation so all the work can be wrapped up before you return.

But because summer is such a popular time for home renovations and maintenance projects, contractor schedules fill up rapidly, leaving little room for last-minute bookings.

Instead of trying to jam your project in among countless others during the summer months, it's easier—and sometimes even cheaper—to schedule these jobs for the spring.

Booking in the spring gives you more time to work with your contractor to ensure you get the results you want, and we asked contractors to find out which five renovation projects to start in April while there are still openings.

Deck and Fence Installation

General contractor Todd Trip says "an existing or a new deck design that you would like on your home needs to be scheduled in advance as these jobs are typically booked up early."

Whether you are putting in a new deck, building a fence, or doing repairs on your existing decking and fencing, it's always best to plan this work for spring. (It could even lead to a discount on your job if the contracting company is trying to fill up their spring schedule.)

Waiting until summer to hire a contractor for a deck or fencing project could leave you with higher costs, delayed bookings, and perhaps a rushed job.

Roof Repair/Replacement

"People tend to book these when it’s easier for their own schedules, and during the summer a lot of people might have Fridays off or maybe they have a job that has a summer break, allowing them to be at home to talk with contractors," he says.

However, spring can be a great time for this kind of project because with slightly less demand, you might be able to score a little lower price in some cases.

Also, it’s nice to have a project like this completed when the weather isn’t as unbearably hot, when workers won't be fighting the heat on a hot roof.

Landscaping and Yard Renewal

Tripp says tackling projects like sealing sidewalks and driveways; weeding; tree, plant, and shrub care; planter bed maintenance; and sprinkler system maintenance in April is a good idea.

There might be faulty sprinkler systems causing dry spots on your lawn, Tripp cautions, and you'll want to reduce the risk of the problem getting worse in the summer weather.

Replacing or Upgrading Windows

Switching out drafty windows isn'twell-suited to the winter or the summer because it leaves the home completely exposed to outdoor temperatures. In April, the temperatures outside are relatively comfortable and you aren't necessarily running your heating or cooling system, so it's a great time to replace or upgrade your windows.

Since the HVAC system won't be running, you won't need to worry about wasting money on expensive energy bills and you can take advantage of the temporary openings to air out the home.

Additionally, Dave Rossi, founder of CIQU Construction, says "the earlier you engage your builder and design team, the more time you have to refine layout, materials, and details. That’s where the best outcomes are created. Earlier planning means fewer constraints, better decision-making, and a much smoother path from concept to completion."

Kitchen and Bath Remodel

Similar to having your windows replaced, when you want to redo the kitchen or bath, you can expect the contractors to be walking in and out of the home a lot, as well as leaving windows open, which in the summer can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system.

If that isn't enough to change your mind about planning this project for summer, you should also consider that due to the high demand for this work and the lengthy timelines for these jobs, there is a high risk that you may need to wait until next year if you try to book it for the jam-packed summer months.

"In our market in Silicon Valley and other high-end residential areas, the summer surge is very consistent," Rossi says. "The projects that tend to stack up are kitchens, primary bathrooms, indoor-outdoor living upgrades, and large window and door installations."

April is the ideal time to book this job because it's early enough that most contractors will be able to start immediately, and it's warm enough to fire up the grill while the kitchen is occupied with the remodel.

Find out more:
Origial Article: Spring Is the Best Time of Year to Book These 5 Reno Projects, Contractors Say
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