Summer is the most common time to take on a renovation project. The kids are out of school, curb appeal is on the mind, and fair weather makes it easy to open up a house. But there are some key advantages to renovating in the winter, like availability, cost, and timing.

Advantages of Winter Renovations

Contractor Availability

One advantage of choosing to engage a contractor for a renovation in the winter is less competition. Spring and summer are the busiest times of year for home renovations, and contractors’ plates will be full once renovation season is in full swing, which could leave you competing for the best builders.

View typical cost of a bathroom remodel.

And a renovation project in the winter months may get you more time and attention from your contractor. While the best contractors and architects won’t bite off more than they can chew, working with a contractor who’s taken on too many projects can mean protracted schedules and slapdash work, and this is more likely to happen in peak reno season when schedules are full.

When your renovation is done, keep your home in top shape with a home warranty. Read more on our top picks: Choice Home Warranty reviewsAmerican Home Shield reviewsSelect Home Warranty reviews.

Off-season Discounts

“When business slows, contractors may decrease their prices a bit to keep their crews busy,” says Katherine Jones of Sweeten, a service that matches consumers to the best contractors in the business. Because there a fewer projects to be had in winter, you’re more likely to score a discount from a contractor.

And while you won’t likely find any contractors offering holiday discounts, you will find that stores do. “The advantages of remodeling during the holidays are not having to host that year(!), plus possible Black Friday deals on appliances and materials,” Jones says. So if you’re in the market for a kitchen or laundry room remodel, the holidays may be the time to act.

Timing Advantages

“If you’re traveling or have a busy social schedule during the holidays, you may be able to do without a kitchen for a few weeks,” says Jones. For those with children in the home during summer months, it may be difficult to vacate the house for renovations, so if you’re already traveling for the holidays, it may be opportunistic for a contractor to open up your house.


So When Is the Best Time For a Renovation?

Even though you can take advantage of discounts and availability during colder months, there’s no point in taking on a high-dollar project if you’re not ready. Ultimately, the best time for a renovation is when you’ve fully defined the scope of your project.

“With a clearly defined scope of work, you can bid your work to general contractors who will give their best price,” Jones says. “Although some may lower prices to keep crews busy, others might have a full winter line-up. Don’t bank on getting a better price just because you renovate in February.”


How to Choose a Contractor

Choosing a contractor is a kind of matchmaking process. You’ll want to make sure your contractor has the same standards of quality, is experienced in the type of work you need, and can work within the timeframe you have. Bathroom plumbing, electrical work, general handyman, gutter or gutter guard installation, landscaping, patio and deck staining, appliance repairs, and interior painting are all very different home improvement projects, and not all contractors are jacks-of-all-trades.

There are services that do make the match between contractor and client—Sweeten is one of the best, and Katherine Jones is one such matchmaker.

“When reviewing contractors, start by looking for someone with experience in your neighborhood and who has done similar work. This can help you narrow down the field from thousands of general contractors to just a selection of experienced professionals.”

Katherine Jones

How To Vet Potential Contractors

Here are the questions Jones recommends consumers ask potential contractors during the vetting process:

  • Have they done work in your neighborhood?
  • Have they done similar work to what you’re looking to get done?
  • Can they provide quality references and photos of past work?
  • Are they licensed? (Working with an unlicensed contractor isn’t worth the risk)

“Don’t be afraid to ask to see some of their past projects in person or to speak to their past clients—at least two,” says Jones. “This is what we do at Sweeten when matching our clients to a selection of contractors based on location, budget, scope and style for the job.” Another nugget: “Screen a number of contractors over the phone before making site visit appointments,” she says.

“Once you’ve found someone you think would be a good fit for your project, take it one step further and make sure they’re a good fit for you. You’ll be working with this contractor for the duration of your project, so you should like them and feel both of your communication styles are a good match.”

So, how is this done? After those first few interactions with a contractor, you should be sure that the contractor’s communication style jives with your own, that you feel comfortable discussing concerns and ideas, and that they respond in a reasonable amount of time.

One of the tougher jobs will be ensuring that the contractor can truly deliver on your vision for the project. One indication, Jones says: Good contractors have good ideas. Spend some time bouncing ideas around to make sure they understand what you’re after. “Try to determine whether he (or she) is just telling you what you want to hear versus having a plan for the renovation that is in line with what you had envisioned or are open to.”

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Alora Bopray

Alora Bopray

Staff Writer

Alora Bopray is a digital content producer for the home warranty, HVAC, and plumbing categories at Today's Homeowner. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of St. Scholastica and her master's degree from the University of Denver. Before becoming a writer for Today's Homeowner, Alora wrote as a freelance writer for dozens of home improvement clients and informed homeowners about the solar industry as a writer for EcoWatch. When she's not writing, Alora can be found planning her next DIY home improvement project or plotting her next novel.

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photo of Roxanne Downer

Roxanne Downer

Editor

Roxanne Downer is a commerce editor at Today’s Homeowner, where she tackles everything from foundation repair to solar panel installation. She brings more than 15 years of writing and editing experience to bear in her meticulous approach to ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and engaging content. She’s previously edited for outlets including MSN, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes & Gardens. An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Roxanne is now an Oklahoma homeowner, DIY enthusiast, and the proud parent of a playful pug.

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