Spring and summer is the ideal time of year to complete home renovations. Contractors have more daylight hours to work with and are less likely to be derailed by rain or high winds.
However, everyone else is also trying to renovate their homes during the summer months. This means you need a clear strategy if you want to make the most of warm weather for your home renovations.
Why is Summer so Popular?
The cold winter months are tough on contractors and homeowners alike. No one wants to live in a hotel when the weather is poor, and construction workers are at greater risk of illness or injury due to rain, wind, and low temperatures.
Renovating in the summer gives you the opportunity to step outside and enjoy your garden if your home starts to look like a construction site. You can always grill and barbecue if you’re renovating your kitchen, and don’t have to worry about sawdust getting in your food.
Your home is better ventilated in the summer, too. This means that dust and dampness can be directed outside, so you don’t have to worry about mold or poor air quality.
If you do get tired of living on a construction site, you can always take your family on a fun summer vacation while work is completed. Kids are on a break over the summer and will relish the opportunity to spend a week by the sea or at a cabin out of town.
Budgeting for Renovations
Renovating in the summer is much more convenient, but it’s usually more expensive, too. Contractors charge a premium for work completed in the warmer months as they typically have a queue of folks ready to take your place.
All good home renovation plans start with a clear budget. You can plan home improvements on a tight budget by consulting with professionals before you start ordering raw materials and booking contractors. Professional renovators can help you find reclaimed materials and can help you itemize your budget.
Even if you have plenty of cash on hand to pay for renovations, you should still draw up a budget to improve efficiency and forecast unexpected costs when work gets started. A good renovation budget includes:
- Multiple quotes from contractors
- Cost of materials and labor
- Cost of temporary housing and hotels
- Accounts for fluctuations in quotes and prices
- Future savings from sustainability installations
A clear budget can help you determine which renovations are the most important to you and your family. This can help give you a clear sense of direction and will improve your ability to navigate unexpected costs.
Landscaping Ideas
Most renovations have to be completed in full before you can undertake a new home improvement project. However, you can usually bring in landscapers even if your home resembles a construction site.
Landscaping doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Cost-effective landscaping can make a huge difference to the appearance of your outdoor space and turn your garden into a sanctuary during construction. Consider a few cheap landscaping ideas:
- Set up a walkway with reclaimed stones
- Mulch your flower beds and plant perennials for a consistent backdrop
- Elevate garden beds to mitigate weeding
- Hang some fairy lights to brighten up the long summer evenings
Visit local gardens and stately homes if you have a budget for major landscaping renovations. Drawing inspiration from gardens you love is a great way to improve your outdoor space and create something beautiful. Take plenty of pictures and work with a landscaper with a proven track record.
Sustainable Changes
Rising energy prices have pushed sustainability to the forefront of the renovation industry. As a homeowner, you can slash your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint by making sustainable changes to your home.
Spring is the perfect time to install solar panels. Contractors will be able to work on your roof without fear of slipping wet tiles and high winds. You’ll benefit from solar panels immediately, too, thanks to the longer daylight hours and increased sunlight.
Wind power is an underutilized energy source in many homes. You can find out if your home would benefit from wind power by working with Energy Saver — a program run by the U.S. Department of Energy. You can assess your space to see if a small wind-electric system would reduce your energy bill. Late summer is the perfect time to install a wind-electric system, as you’ll be ready to reap the rewards come fall and winter.
Conclusion
Warm weather is ideal for home renovation. Contractors can work longer hours and your projects are less likely to be delayed by inclement weather. Summer renovations are easier on your family, too, as your kids don’t have school work and you can cook outside while renovations are going on.
Create a robust budget before you break ground and consider landscaping renovations while you’re living away from home. Account for fluctuations in costs and bring the most important projects to the front of your “to-do” list.
This post was authored by Sam Bowman
