Choosing the optimum time to renovate your home will depend on your budget, availability of trades, weather, and personal situation. There are many factors to consider before starting a renovation project, especially the timing of when you begin and when you expect to have the project completed. This article will look at four important factors to consider when deciding when to begin your renovation. 

Are the renovation funds ready?

Budgeting for a renovation can be a challenge. There are many factors that influence the feasibility of a renovation including whether you have equity available in your home, the time frame that you need to have the renovation done by, which impacts holding costs, your savings, your time and willingness to be involved in the day to day of the renovation or whether you would prefer to hire someone to do that for you. 

When considering a renovation, planning for and allocating sufficient funds is essential before any works begin. Many home-owners use their savings to fund renovation projects, whilst others use equity or loans to fund them, whatever your plan, you need to consider the costs of getting the work done, holding costs of the property including alternative accommodation for yourself if required, materials, wait times, unexpected costs, and of course, have your expectations cross-checked against your budget. 

For example, when renovating a kitchen, there are many practical factors to consider including coordinating multiple trades such as electricians, plumbers, tilers, carpenters, plasterers, and painters. The design and planning process is vital in being able to allocate sufficient funds for the trades and materials as well as the timing in which you engage trades. For example, if your planning allows for new cabinets and bulkhead construction, your budget will have the funds already for this additional job. Comparatively, if you did not plan for bespoke cabinets and bulkheads then your budget will be stretched and you may have to consider other renovation areas where you can save money to fund this part. 

Before beginning a renovation project, it is a good idea to contact your insurance company. You may want to increase the coverage limits on your homeowners’ insurance policy to protect yourself against unexpected expenses. Also, you need to check that the contractor has the proper insurance coverage and licensing requirements. Many contractors require a large deposit upfront. If you’re not able to pay for the deposit or the entire project ahead of time, this can create serious delays, the contractor may have flexible payment options, it is worth it to have the conversation before any works are underway if you foresee that budgeting might be an issue that affects timing. It is always a good idea to have funds organised and put aside before work begins, this way you won’t have any hold-ups due to budget. 

Season

One thing Sydney is blessed with is a relatively stable year-long climate which means that a majority of the year is available for renovation projects, whether interior or exterior in nature. Considering this, spring and summer are peak renovation seasons in Sydney, and the costs associated with renovating in these seasons may involve higher costs because trades are more in demand, as well as longer wait times due to material and staff demand. Winter, on the other hand, can be a less expensive time to renovate. While the winter months may not be ideal for outdoor renovations due to rainfall,  interior renovations can easily be done without weather negatively impacting completion dates or budget.

If you have young children, you’ll want to consider school holidays when deciding when to renovate, especially if you are doing a renovation in your kitchen or bathroom that requires you to vacate the area. Keeping in mind that school holidays are a popular time to renovate, consider booking trades well in advance. 

Life events

Renovations can increase the value of your property, but they can also disrupt your daily routine and lifestyle especially if you are living in the property as you renovate. Having a baby, moving houses, changing jobs, getting married, health issues, all these life events will require your mental and usually financial resources, therefore try to avoid renovating at the same time that a major life event is taking place. If a project must go ahead, definitely consider organising alternative living arrangements for the time of the renovation to avoid unnecessary stress and increase the speed at which the renovation can take place. 

Trades Availability

Another important factor to consider in the start date of your renovation is the contractor’s availability. Many contractors have busy schedules and have to choose between several projects. If you want to have a renovation done in a timely manner, a contractor’s availability should match the demands of the project. Otherwise, you could end up paying more for materials than you need to or having your project delayed.

Generally, the winter months are slower, so you might get more flexibility on the contractor’s end. Some trades will be more in demand than others, consider getting a few quotes per trade and ask about their availability, this will give you an idea of average availability and will enable you to plan according to their schedule. 

Final Say

When planning a renovation, it can feel overwhelming the amount of decision-making required. Furthermore, most homeowners just want to get the ball rolling, but taking time to budget and plan your renovation will lead to a much smoother, economical, and more positive experience for everyone involved. Considering the above factors when deciding when to renovate, will lead to a much smoother experience and outcome for you, as well as help keep things on a budget and to your deadline. 

Paul’s Plastering is here to provide high-quality work at good value for your money—with over two decades of professional ceiling plastering, installation, and renovation experience, give Paul a call today for a free quote.