Home Building and Remodeling Blog

Is Winter a Good Time to Remodel?

Written by Bob Wiedenmann | Dec. 9, 2024

It may be hard to believe, but winter is an excellent time to launch and complete remodeling jobs inside your home. People assume the best time of year to remodel is spring and summer. Although these seasons are favorable,  you shouldn’t discount winter since there are many benefits of remodeling in winter. 

In this blog, the Sunwood team will detail whether or not construction in winter is a good idea and what projects you should consider during the home-remodeling off-season. So, without further ado, let’s dive into what you need to know, including the advantages of winter remodeling in central Connecticut. 

When Isn’t Winter A Good Time To Remodel? 

For some, the best season to remodel in Connecticut is winter. Winter can be a great time to tackle remodeling projects, especially those within your home's existing structure. Since these projects are shielded from the challenges of winter weather, they can often proceed without interruption. 

However, the season may not always be ideal if your plans involve exterior work or an addition. In our experience, weather conditions and limited daylight can impact timelines and increase complications, making it worth considering the season's influence on your specific remodeling goals before undertaking a project.

Winter Renovation Benefits In Wallingford, CT

Why should you remodel in winter? Simple. There are several benefits to be had. 

Firstly, contractors often have more availability during the off-season. Building contractors often see a slowdown in activity when the weather gets colder. As a homeowner, you can get the builder you want to work on your projects. 

Secondly, you may have a better chance of getting the work done more quickly—again because there’s less competition for your remodeler’s time. This makes winter home renovation in Wallingford, CT, even more attractive. 

Thirdly, some suppliers may offer discounts on materials and labor during the slower months, helping you save on costs. Lastly, since most work stays indoors, kitchen or bathroom updates can proceed uninterrupted by winter weather, leaving you with a beautiful new kitchen when the new season rolls around. 

The Best Winter Remodeling Projects

Have you been putting off remodeling in central Connecticut that you’ve had on your list to finish because you were enjoying the summertime? Luckily for you, there is an advantage to dreary winter days. It is a perfect time to start – and finish - those overdue remodeling projects. 

Here’s a list of your Connecticut home's best winter remodeling projects.

1. Kitchen Remodel

We use our kitchens for many things: cooking, entertaining, eating, school projects, family meetings, and more. So, remodeling the kitchen in your home is a smart move. Plus, there’s a reason it continues to rank as one of the most requested remodeling tasks nationwide. 

If you remodel your kitchen, you’ll improve a room, better your living situation, and achieve the refreshed aesthetic you’ve always wanted. That’s probably a big reason why kitchen remodels recoup such a high percentage of investment should you ever sell your house. And the best time to remodel a kitchen is during the winter!

Download our free Design Your Ideal Kitchen report for great ideas. It’s full of tips and ideas for creating the ideal space in the heart of your home.

 2. Master Bathroom Remodel

Another room that’s extremely popular to remodel (and gives you a great return on your investment) is the master bathroom. Your guests may never see it, but you’ll see and use it daily. It’s a room that helps set the tone for your entire day as you get ready and enables you to wind down at night.

3. Painting

This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to spruce up the interior of your home, whether it’s your kitchen, dining room, bedroom, or bathroom. Talk to your professional contractor about using low—or no-VOC paints emitting far fewer toxic fumes to maintain good, healthy indoor air quality. At the same time, the windows stay closed during the chilly winter weather, and your paint dries.

4. Remodeling the Bathroom

If you’ve been embarrassed by the bathroom your guests use whenever they come over, you’re not the only one. But luckily, winter is a great time to turn a ho-hum bathroom into something welcoming and stylish. 

Although it sounds like a significant renovation, bathroom remodeling projects can be made easier by hiring a contractor to replace faucets and knobs and old plumbing quickly. You can also install new lighting to brighten the room and give it a new, updated look. The sink and toilet can also be replaced with water-efficient models.

5. Insulating

Want lower heating bills during the winter? Then, be sure to install insulation, especially in the attic. Another area that should be insulated is the interior of existing walls in your home; a professional contractor can blow in foam insulation. In addition, you can spend some time caulking around the doors and window frames or get a professional remodeler to do it for you.

6. Replacing the Front Door

This is one of the most popular—and wisest—renovations you can make to your house. A new energy-efficient front door can have a return on investment of up to 110% or more. In short, a new front door updates the exterior of your home and enhances curb appeal by updating the entire look.

7. Add needed storage space

Storage space seems to be something nobody ever has too much of. You could customize a walk-in closet or a pantry to take better advantage of the space already there. A good builder might even be able to “find” spaces that you didn’t even know existed. 

New shelves can be installed in the areas of your choice, even in the basement or attic, so your home has a new, more streamlined look and feel, and you get more places to put things.

8. Go underground

Winter is a great time to build out the basement. You can turn it into a recreation room, a spare bedroom, a wine cellar, or a study. And what’s nice about remodeling your basement is that it’s much less disruptive for your family since most of the noise and mess will be out of the way.

Winter Renovation Tips

You likely don’t want to go into your renovation blind. Below, we’ve shared a few renovation tips you should consider if you plan to remodel your Connecticut home during the winter: 

 

  1. Plan ahead and choose the right project: Winter can be a great time for remodeling – as you now know –but it requires thorough planning. You’ll want to focus on projects that don’t rely heavily on outdoor work, such as updating interiors or finishing basements. We recommend you work closely with your contractor to finalize designs, secure permits, and schedule construction well in advance to avoid holiday delays or weather disruptions.
  2. Create a containment strategy: Winter weather means you’ll likely spend more time indoors, so minimizing disruptions in the home is essential. You can work with your contractor to seal off work zones, control dust, and establish safe, clear pathways for workers without compromising your daily routine.
  3. Optimize energy efficiency: Construction can cause drafts and temperature fluctuations during winter. To protect your home, we recommend using temporary barriers or insulation in areas under renovation. If your project involves replacing windows or doors, prioritize weatherproofing and sealing as you go to avoid heat loss and maintain comfort throughout the process.

Speak With Sunwood Today To Discuss Your Winter Remodel

Enjoying the long winter months can be more easily ensured if you plan to spend some of that time remodeling the most essential parts of your home. It’s a great time to attend to that to-do list and make your home even more beautiful, functional, and energy-efficient. 

So, if you’re considering Connecticut winter home renovations and want to learn more about the home remodeling timeline in winter in central Connecticut, you can speak with us at Sunwood. We have years of experience renovating homes during the winter and can help you tick off must-do projects!