9 DIY Projects You Need to Finish Before Summer (and Before It's Too Hot!)

Many home reno projects should be wrapped up in spring, before the hot summer weather arrives. This will give you the chance to complete jobs that may require the HVAC system to be off or the windows to be open. It will also help keep you cool when working outside, instead of dealing with the heat beating down on you.

Before spring ends, consider tackling these nine home reno projects you need to finish before summer.

Interior Painting

Painting the inside of your home is the ideal spring project.

“The ideal time to paint indoors is spring,” says Andy Wu, outdoor living expert and founder of Backyard Oasis. “I learned this the hard way last Atlanta summer, sticky paint and unevenly dried areas are a real nuisance. Do it early for a quality finish.”

In addition to the issues you can experience with the materials, you will also want to have the windows and doors open to help air out the enclosed space. If you try to do this in the summer, it will be forcing the HVAC system to work overtime, which could lead to premature wear and unnecessary repairs.

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HVAC System Maintenance or Upgrades

Since the HVAC system is most frequently used during the winter and summer months, it’s important to get any significant maintenance or upgrades done during the spring, when the system is not really being used.

“Indoor projects like HVAC or insulation also help prep the home for efficient cooling,” says Jeri Goodkin-Dausey, renovation and permitting expert at All Florida Permits. “Prioritize anything that affects safety, comfort, or usability of indoor/outdoor space.”

Insulation Improvements

If your home is due for an insulation upgrade, it’s best to get this work done in the spring when the temperature isn’t too hot or too cold.

“DIYers should start with a clear, realistic scope, breaking the work into phases with weekly deadlines,” Goodkin-Dausey says. “Factor in potential supply delays or disruptions, and avoid overcommitting to projects that require professional expertise or could impact comfort during hot weather.”

Roof Repairs or Replacements

Roofs with holes, cracks, or missing tiles don’t just leave the home vulnerable to moisture, but they also reduce the heating and cooling efficiency of the home.

However, working on a roof during the peak summer heat is not fun or comfortable, and could lead to significant delays.

“Roofs are complicated,” Wu says. “If you wait until after the season begins, you’re risking rain delays or heat waves halting progress. I’ve known people who’ve been left with tarps on their roofs for weeks, not ideal.”

Flooring Replacements

Installing new floors during the spring lets you keep the doors and windows open without overworking the HVAC system, so you can clear out any dust while you work.

This is especially true when you are working with carpet, which tends to accumulate dust, hair, dirt, and other debris.

“New flooring is creaky and full of dust,” Wu says. “Get this accomplished in time for summer so you’re not sweating through installation or tracking sawdust around.”

Pool Installation and Servicing

Installing a pool during the summer is both exhausting and a complete waste of the summer season. Instead, it’s better to have the pool installed and serviced in the spring when the weather is cool enough for outdoor renovations.

“Large-scale exterior projects—like pool installation—might be better postponed if they risk being incomplete before summer, creating mess, noise, or limited access to outdoor areas during the season,” Goodkin-Dausey says.

Deck Installation and Maintenance

Just as it’s better to install a pool in the spring so you can enjoy it during the summer, the same can be said for installing a new deck or completing any significant deck maintenance. Not to mention the weather is more forgiving, allowing the project to move swiftly.

“I simply can’t start to count how many times we have heard, ‘Andy, I wish we would have built the deck sooner!'” Wu says. “Do it in the spring and be able to start grilling and enjoying those warm evenings without needing to lay down the power tools.”

Exterior Painting

While you don’t need to worry about ventilation when you are tackling an exterior painting project, you do need to worry about the heat. Summer heat can make it difficult for you to work for extended periods and could even cause damage to the your paint and other materials.

“Completing projects before summer ensures you’re not working in extreme heat, which can delay timelines and impact materials (like paint and sealants),” Goodkin-Dausey says.

Kitchen or Bathroom Updates

Large-scale renovation projects, like redoing the kitchen or renovating the bathroom, can create a lot of dust and noise inside the home.

During the spring, you can keep the doors and windows open to allow noise and dust to escape, making the renovation process far more manageable without putting a strain on the HVAC system.

“These types of extensive remodels can take away essential rooms,” Wu says. “Time them so you have a habitable house for summer entertaining.”