Summer might seem like the obvious choice for the best home renovation season; the weather is warm, the days are long, and most people have flexible schedules thanks to vacations, holidays, and other time away from work or school commitments.
In reality, this list of positives can work against you. The popularity of the summer months often leads to less contractor availability, higher prices, and a more drawn-out exterior renovation. Instead, tackling your home exterior transformation during the winter offers several distinct advantages.
Read on to discover why you should tackle your exterior upgrades during the winter — even though it’s not the traditional home renovation season.
Get a jumpstart on your exterior design by beginning your home transformation this winter with brick&batten. Our experienced team will help you transform the look and feel of your exterior to help bring your dream home to life. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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First dibs on contractor schedules
Contractors hustle hard during the summer months to get everyone’s exteriors in tip-top shape. The winter months, however, are quite the opposite. As the temperatures dip and the snow starts to fall, people are less focused on getting their exterior projects checked off the list. But in reality, it’s the perfect time to tackle these upgrades.
Contractors tend to be less busy during the cold winter months, so their schedules are wide open. The result is more availability for you. Choosing to do outdoor projects, from changing your exterior paint color to redoing your deck, gives you your pick of dates and times. This approach is ideal for those with less flexibility because you can schedule your contractors at times that best suit your schedule.
Better pricing
Exterior projects range dramatically in price; a complete exterior overhaul can cost thousands of dollars, while a minor upgrade may cost only a few hundred. But saving pennies where you can allows you to invest in higher quality materials, stretch your dollar further, or tuck more away for a rainy day.
Because contractors are less busy during the winter, their pricing typically reflects the lower demand. As always, getting quotes from a few professionals to price out any project is best. But you’ll likely notice that winter pricing is more advantageous once the weather warms up.
Faster turnaround times
Because contractors aren’t usually booked solid during the winter, they’re juggling fewer things at once. Not only does that allow them to dedicate their sole focus to your project, but it also means they’ll be able to complete it more quickly. You’ll also usually have a shorter lead time for them to begin.
Like your contractor, your local governmental offices are typically slower, too. This means faster turnaround times for permits, approvals, and any other sign-offs you may need from your town officials. It can also significantly shorten your project timeline from start to finish.
If you need support to finalize your exterior design, brick&batten can help — even on a faster winter timeline. Our expert designers can expedite your design and give you a vetted shopping list that allows you to cut down on decision-making time and streamline the entire process.
Fewer restrictions for homeowners
Most exterior projects limit your access to your home’s outdoor areas while construction is ongoing. From something as involved as updating the siding to something as simple as swapping out your porch lights, you’ll likely have to steer clear of that area while your contractors get to work.
Luckily, during a less traditional home renovation season, you probably won’t be using those exterior areas anyway. Work through your to-do list during the winter months so that way, you have unfettered access to your outdoor areas as soon as the weather warms up.
Instant energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is essential year-round, but it’s especially important during the frigid winter months. Without proper installation, energy-efficient windows, and other eco-conscious home upgrades, your home may leak heat and run up utility bills.
While it seems counterintuitive, the winter is actually one of the best times to assess your home for heat leaks. Because of the extreme difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, it’s easier to find drafts or see if snow is melting quicker on your roof than your neighbor’s. All of these signs indicate that you may have some insulation issues. The best part? You’ll immediately see increased energy efficiency through lower gas or electricity bills for a near-immediate return on your investment.
Not sure where to start? At brick&batten, we make exterior design easy with options for every need — whether you just want a quick paint visualization or a full custom redesign. Book a free one-on-one consultation today, or if you’re still exploring, schedule a quick 15-minute call to see how we can bring your vision to life. Let’s make your home stand out!
Easier access to the exterior
While beautiful landscaping may enhance your home’s curb appeal throughout the spring and summer, it’s actually a detriment to any exterior project. Trees, flowers, and even your well-maintained lawn can all get in the way when trying to access certain areas of your exterior, like the siding, foundation, or hardscaping like patios and walkways.
Winter, or home renovation season, as we call it, is the perfect time to take on some of these projects because most of the plant life will have died away. While this may not help with curb appeal, it’s much more practical for contractors to gain access to any exterior area without ruining all of your landscaping work. Once spring arrives, everything will grow back like usual — no cutting back or removal required.
Limit exterior damage
Winter is harsh on homes. The rapidly changing temperatures, heavy precipitation, and major storms can all do possible damage to your exterior. From leaks in the roof to burst pipes to broken doors or windows, exterior issues tend to pop up throughout this cold season.
Instead of waiting for warm weather to handle any issues, tackle these issues as soon as they appear. Even though it may be the off-season, it’s home renovation season to us, and doing so will help you prevent more extensive damage and save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
Easier clean up
Exterior upgrades can be dirty work. Major renovations — like redoing your siding, adding a new roof, or installing gutters — often require large equipment, many workers, and debris removal that can make your yard and surrounding exterior areas a complete mess.
Winter, however, offers a unique opportunity to do this work in a less messy way. Because the ground is frozen, it helps prevent any damage during the warmer months when the ground is soft. The cold temperatures and snow cover also help to ensure that any dirt, dust, or other debris kicked up during construction will simply wash away when the weather warms up for fast and simple clean-up.
Make winter your chosen home renovation season
Short days, long nights, and freezing temperatures make winter a season typically spent warm and cozy indoors. But think outside the box and use this often-overlooked home renovation season to your advantage. Winter is the perfect time to transform your exterior, so your home is ready to go when the weather warms up.
