We’re answering the age-old question; when is the best time to start a home renovation project? Our construction director and his team have weighed in and here’s why we think it’s wintertime.
- Starting a project towards the end of the year means your renovation is more likely to be complete by the following summer so you can enjoy the space you’ve just invested in. This is especially important for an extension project, open plan living space or any landscaping. Renovating in the summer means you may not be able to enjoy the space, perhaps when the kids are off school or you have the perfect BBQ weather.
- As you might imagine, the winter is typically a less popular time for renovations, but this could be a benefit as it’s easy to get booked in and trades are more available to be on site sooner. It’s also a good time for budgeting as you can secure your cost before many companies have their annual increases in the new year.
- One common blocker for winter renovations is preparations for the holiday period. We know no one wants their house in chaos over Christmas but if you start your renovation early our team can make sure disturbance is kept to a minimum. For large extensions we aim to get the shell done early and make it watertight so the internal areas can be used. We can also create a temporary kitchen, so you’re not left without utilities when you need them most.
- Even if you’re not at the build stage yet, winter is a good time to submit planning ready for the new year. The planning application process can take up to 13 weeks for a decision to be made so submitting plans in late autumn or early winter should mean you’re ready to go for the new year. Plus, local councils tend to be less busy around the winter period so the process could be even quicker.
In all truth, there isn’t really a ‘best time’ to start a renovation project as so much depends on your individual needs, project requirements and schedules. If you’re considering renovating your home, why wait until the summer. Get started now whether you’re ready to build or maybe just thinking about planning. Our team would love to hear from your whatever position you’re in and are ready to discuss your project requirements and help build your dream home. Contact us today.
