Everyone knows the saying, “there’s no time like the present”. Does that adage apply to kitchen renovations too?

At Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, our clients often ask us, “when is the best time of year to renovate?”

In this article, we answer that question. Join us as we consider the seasonal differences of renovating a kitchen in spring, summer, winter, and fall.

Get your calendar out—it’s time to schedule your remodel!

Planning a Kitchen Reno

A successful kitchen renovation requires research, shopping, budgeting, and collaborating with professionals. A kitchen remodel is a sizable project that’s exciting and rewarding—but it can also cause a significant disruption to your life at home.  

Timing the months just right will go a long way to avoiding hiccups, mishaps, and mix-ups.

For more information on reno planning, follow this link to read our article on how to start a kitchen renovation.

When is the Best Time to Renovate?

Technically speaking, kitchen remodels can be done any time of the year.

That being said, certain times of the year may be more conducive to renovating for you, depending on the scope of the project, your lifestyle, and your budget.

As you prepare to invest in your home and temporarily uproot your lifestyle to do it, first consider the following:

Spring Renovations

Right off the bat, if spring seems like the best time of year to renovate, know that you’re not alone. Hundreds of other prospective renovators are thinking the same thing.

Spring has a widespread appeal for kitchen renovation projects. By and large, it’s the most popular season for home remodeling.

In spring in Ottawa, the temperatures can range from high to low with showers sprinkled in between. Luckily, kitchen renovations take place indoors, so fluctuating weather doesn’t usually have an effect on the work being done inside. That being said, if your remodel involves expanding the kitchen, wet conditions may cause project delays. 

When it comes to budget, renovating during the spring offers both pros and cons. April and May are popular months for annual sales to take place. It might be the perfect time to stock up on trendy design products or kitchen appliances.

On the other side of the coin, spring is typically the busiest season for many contractors. As soon as the Ottawa snow melts away, work ramps up for contractors and pro renovators. You may be hard-pressed to book a professional or find a rate within your budget.

On the hunt for a contractor? Check out our list of Top 5 Renovation Companies in Ottawa for more information.

Summer Renovations

Summer is right up there at the top of the list for the best time to remodel.

The biggest draw to summer-time renovations is the good weather.

Although indoor kitchen remodeling can take place year-round, that doesn’t make it pleasant to replace a window in sub-zero temps!

Plus, it’s much easier to find an alternative cooking and eating location for you and your family when the sun is shining outside. Instead of transforming your basement into a make-shift kitchen, you can head outside for a picnic, fire up the backyard grill, and visit local restaurants with patios.

While contractors are busy and often booked up throughout the summer, you might have a more flexible schedule during this time of the year. Many homeowners use the summer months to take a vacation or send the kids away to a summer camp to escape the chaos of the renovation process. 

Last but not least, it’s just plain nice to be able to open up the window to air out the dust from a recently renovated kitchen.

Fall Renovations

Autumn renos have the benefit of riding off the tail end of summer weather. Plus, contractors are usually winding down and may be able to give your project more attention than they would mid-July or August.

An autumn renovation can also be an exciting time to renovate as you prepare for the holidays and look forward to showing off a freshly updated kitchen to guests.

Although the discounts on supplies may not be as hot as in spring, you can still find some good deals in fall as retailers like to clear out their current stock before the new year. By the way, as much as the shifting seasons impact kitchen renovation costs, there are also optimal times of year to buy furniture. 

Winter Renovations

Winter is not the traditional season to renovate your kitchen, but don’t write it off based on general opinion alone.

While many homeowners shy away from tearing up their kitchen during the holiday season, winter can be the best time of year to hire a contractor. 

As the coldest time of the year, the winter is a very slow season for contractors. Sometimes, contractors even offer special promotions to entice homeowners to schedule home improvement projects.

You may also be able to save on expenses by taking advantage of Black Friday deals in November.

While renovation savings may sound like music to your ears, it’s worth noting that suppliers can be slow during this time of year. With longer lead times, it’s possible for your kitchen renovation to be held up. 

When Should I Renovate My Kitchen?

Season aside, there are a few other factors that matter when it comes to timing a kitchen renovation.

Product Lead Times

Lead times are always fluctuating with market conditions—which don’t always coincide with the time of year. You can never guarantee that product lead times will stay the same one month to the next.

Many stock products you can purchase in store and take home with you same day. Even with a stock kitchen, though, you may run into an inventory problem or shipment delay if demand is high. You can learn more about stock cabinets at Home Depot and IKEA in our comparison articles.

As for custom projects, things take longer. At Deslaurier, our lead time starts at 8 weeks and is subject to go up based on market conditions. Everything from faucets to floors can be impacted by lead times. We recommend planning your reno 6-12 months in advance so that you can work with whatever delivery date suppliers offer.

Contractor Availability

During peak renovation seasons, the demand for materials and contractors skyrockets. When demand begins to scale up, you can bet contractors’ agendas fill up fast.

Before you clear out your schedule for a springtime reno, go contractor shopping first. You don’t want to make any big purchases or commitments until you’ve got a professional signed on for the job.  

Most remodeling projects take place in spring and summer. Don’t be surprised if your contractor charges a premium during these busy seasons. Fall and winter are normally off-season months, and thus your best shot at hiring a pro.

Will My Renovation Be Finished Before the Holidays?

It’s often a tight race to wrap up winter renovations in time for the holidays.

Have a fast-approaching big family event in your calendar? If you’re committed to hosting a gathering such as Christmas dinner in your new kitchen, you need to be 100% sure you have enough renovation time.

At Deslaurier, a custom kitchen can be expected to take between 4-7 months. Even this estimated time frame can vary, however.

It’s always a good idea to schedule some buffer time. That’s why it’s so wise to plan the logistics of your reno roughly 6-12 months in advance.

What’s Next?

Ultimately, the time that you choose to renovate your kitchen will largely depend on your priorities. You can renovate any time, but make sure to renovate when it makes the most sense for you!

Want to explore your design options? Schedule a free consultation with one of our award-winning designers to discover the quality & function of custom cabinetry at Deslaurier.

Fill out the form below to get started working with our design team today!

Related Links:

• What to Expect at Deslaurier: The Retail Kitchen Design Process
• What Makes Kitchen Renovations so Expensive?
• 5 Best-Selling Cabinet Door Styles