The idea of renovating your home in the Canadian winter sounds just as good as moving in the winter – absolutely torturous. Believe it or not, it can actually be a very smart, budget friendly, and stress free decision if you plan properly and do it the right way. Here are 6 ways a winter renovation can work for you.
It’s the Slow Season for Contractors
During the cold months, booking a really skilled and experienced contractor is going to be easy, rather than in the spring when everyone else is starting to plan for their home remodeling projects. You may be able to negotiate a better price for great quality because contractors will be looking for jobs.
Reduced Prices on Inventory
Often, in the winter months, home renovation retail stores offer discounts on inventory due to low demand. Supplies for your kitchen renovation including kitchen cabinets can be found for much cheaper than in the spring. Take advantage of the season to save a ton of money on your renovation budget, or spend your full budget on upgraded materials and appliances.
Focus On The Interior of Your Home
Another nice thing about negotiating with a Canadian contractor in the winter is they will be on the lookout for indoor jobs and may be willing to drop the price for an opportunity to spend a month or two indoors. The frustration, discomfort, and difficulty doing a winter exterior remodel with weather swinging between miserable and more miserable may not be worth it at all. Stick to a kitchen or bathroom renovation and keep everybody warm.
Take a vacation
A really well planned and organized winter renovation can be the best excuse to get out of the cold on vacation somewhere less frigid. If you can afford it, and your contractor has brilliantly organized plans and timelines, why not escape to the sunshine for a week or two with the family instead of trying to adjust your day to day schedule around your renovation. While budgeting for your reno, try adding a couple thousand dollars for a family getaway.
Bonus Tip: If you do move out or go on vacation during your winter renovation, don’t neglect the negative effects a renovation can have on your next door neighbors, particularly if you share a wall in a townhouse or semi-detached home. If you leave for quite some time and the heat in your home drops too drastically, it can affect your neighbors heating, as well as the water pipes. Have your contractor keep an eye on these factors and communicate with your neighbors before the first hammer strikes.
The winter remodel may not be an exciting idea for most people, but done right, it can be better on your wallet and even serve as a potential excuse to leave this frozen country for a couple of weeks to some warm paradise!
