8 Home Reno Projects Contractors Say You Should Finish This Spring

While there are some upgrades that can be completed indoors during the fall and winter, the temperatures can present challenges.

Mild weather conditions make spring the ideal season for work that requires ventilation, as well as outdoor projects, especially for projects that may take a few months to complete.

We spoke to contractors to find out which home renovation projects you should do in spring.

Roof Replacement

The average roof has a long lifespan, so this isn’t a task that needs to be completed every spring, but once every 20 to 25 years you will need to replace your roof’s shingles. Spring is a great time to get this work done, since the cold weather has passed, but the soaring summer temperatures have not yet hit.

“All exterior work should begin in the spring to allow ample time for completion and extend through the summer, ensuring you avoid unfavorable fall and winter weather,” says Peter Andra, owner and general contractor at Kalispell Contracting.

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HVAC Repairs and Upgrades

If you need to replace the furnace, put in a new air conditioner, or even perform repairs on the existing equipment, the HVAC system needs to be turned off for the duration of the work.

Trying to do update in the winter or summer will leave the home vulnerable to the outdoor temperatures, so it’s best to tackle HVAC repairs and upgrades in the spring, when the heating and cooling system isn’t as active.

Painting

A simple coat of paint can do wonder for an outdated room or to revitalize the exterior of the home, but you need to keep the doors and windows closed in the winter and summer to avoid running up your energy bills. Spring offers the perfect weather to fling the windows open, providing you with abundant fresh air and proper ventilation.

“Painting (both indoor and outdoor) is also good to do in spring because humidity tends to be under control, and weather that is too hot or too cold could mess with the paint finish,” Andra says.

Kitchen Renovations

Spring is a great time to replace kitchen cabinets, update the countertops, or take on any other kitchen renovations you may have been itching to tackle.

“Too often we get kitchen renos right before the holidays, and that’s stressful for everyone involved,” says Mary Peters, the founder and CEO of Sasquatch Contracting. “If you tackle this job in the spring, you don’t have to worry about holiday cooking and houseguests,”

Deck Building

Putting in a new deck is nearly impossible during winter weather due to the frozen ground. While you can wait until the summer to tackle this job, you will need to compete with the heat, so it’s best to start a deck installation, modification, or repair project in the spring.

This is especially true for homeowners located in colder areas of the country and the early start to this renovation project will help ensure that the deck is ready for the summer season.

Landscaping and Outdoor Living Updates

There are a wide range of modifications you can make to the yard, such as overhauling the landscaping, installing an outdoor kitchen, putting in a fire pit, or adding garden pathways and outdoor lighting.

These projects are best tackled during the mild weather in spring, when the ground is soft and the heat isn’t too much to handle.

Flooring Installation

Installing a new floor often comes with a lot of dirt, dust, and debris, which is why this project can be hassle during the winter or summer when you can’t properly ventilate the area. But, when spring weather hits, you can open up the home and get to work replacing the existing flooring.

“Vinyl and laminate flooring are also easier than many realize,” Andra says. “It doesn’t require many specialized tools and most vinyl or laminate flooring is now made to easily click together.”

Room Additions and Space Conversions

Adding a new story to the home or building out an addition can take a lot of time and effort. During construction, the openings in the wall or ceiling provide ample space for heat to escape, which is just one reason why it’s better to tackle this job during the mild spring season.

“We encourage our clients to do their additions and Mother-In-Law suites during the spring so that there’s plenty of warm weather to ensure everything moves forward without snow/freezes interrupting the schedule,” Peters says.