If you’re daydreaming about building a new deck, remodeling your bathroom, or giving that bland kitchen a complete overhaul, why not get started now? Every month, there are projects that fit perfectly with the season. Below, we’ve compiled a 2023 home renovation calendar to help you plan your year of improvements.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura & San Diego Counties with reliable general contractors. We often help homeowners understand what projects they should prioritize – below are home renovation projects you should consider checking off your list this year.
Things to Consider Before Starting Home Renovations
Don’t rip out any carpets yet! First, take a moment to ask yourself these questions:
- What’s your budget? A solid spending plan is essential when starting a large home renovation project. Set aside funds for supplies, contractors and even hotel room stays.
- How much will you keep? Just because you’re remodeling doesn’t mean you have to knock down every wall. Decide which features of your home can stay and which ones absolutely have to go.
- Where will you live? If you’re doing a major overhaul, your home might be covered floor-to-ceiling in dust for a while, or you might not have a working bathroom. Make arrangements to stay with a friend or in a hotel for a while if needed.
- Why are you doing renovations? Do you want to enjoy living in your home for years to come, or are you trying to increase your property value so you can sell it? Your reasons will guide your decision-making process. While you might love to paint every room red or black, most home buyers want something more neutral. You should keep current stylistic trends in mind if you plan to sell.
A Month-by-Month Remodeling Guide
Ready to get started? Here are the projects that make the most sense for each month.
January
While the weather is cold, consider staying indoors and redoing your bedroom. A bedroom makeover is often as simple as a fresh coat of paint and some new decor. The best part is that floor materials and paint are usually on sale in January as retailers announce new design trends, so take advantage of these discounts while you can.
Although you may see your heating bills go up slightly since you’ll need to crack the windows for ventilation, January is an ideal time to paint indoors. The cold weather allows the paint to dry and set faster than in warmer, humid months.
Related: How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Home In Los Angeles?
February
Do you want to build any additional rooms? This is a great time for contractors to pour concrete because the ground is often hard and the air is dry in February. In a few weeks, the unpredictable springtime weather may make the site too muddy and slow down construction.
However, February’s cold ground is ideal for digging the foundation and pouring concrete footers.
Like painters, builders are also usually less busy in the winter, meaning you’re more likely to get a contract and maybe even a discount.
March
March is a great time to prioritize a small bathroom renovation! You still have a few months before the fun summer months, which is all the time you need to plan and remodel an old, stale bathroom.
If you have a powder room that needs an update or a hallway bathroom that you’re dying to change, have some fun with it and add some pizazz to make it stand out. You can use exotic wallpaper or add a new floating vanity like in the photo above!
April
Spring has sprung, and along with it comes a much busier schedule for contractors. Now is the best time to start DIY projects like redoing your deck, building a new fence, or changing up the landscaping in your yard. Other outdoor projects to consider include building stone paths or installing water features.
If you’re considering a major project that you’ll need a contractor for, be sure to plan ahead and schedule them a few months out…otherwise, you might have to hold your summer projects until next year.
April is also an excellent time to start your garden as the soil begins to warm. Consider sowing hardy vegetable seeds, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and parsnips.
Related: How To Plan The Perfect Backyard Remodel In Southern California
May
Is there anything better than a bit of spring cleaning? While it’s still pleasant outside, why not redo your garage? Empty it out, donate anything you don’t want to keep, and use racks and hooks to organize your tools.
You could also paint the walls or update the floors for a fresh look. Some homeowners even choose to convert their garage into additional living space by adding insulation, installing better lights, and putting in an AC unit.
June
As the summer heat begins, take a look at your windows and doors to see if they’re letting cool air out of your house. Windows are responsible for 25%-30% of a home’s heating and cooling costs, so sealing them properly can cut down on your energy usage.
Cover up any cracks around the edges with weatherstripping. Replace old, single-pane windows with newer, better-insulated glass. Add thick curtains in front of sliding glass patio doors to further insulate your home during the hottest months.
July
Want to renovate your kitchen? If you have a grill, you can still cook outside while your stove and oven are out of operation. July is the perfect time for barbecues, anyway, so you have an excuse to fire up the grill every evening and invite people over.
Another project to tackle in the summer if you have a fireplace is cleaning out your chimney. Most chimney cleaners won’t be in high demand at this time, so you might be able to get a discount.
August
While it’s likely still too hot to work outside, get started on your living room. You can replace the flooring, repaint the walls, buy new furniture, or change up the lighting to transform the space before your family gathers for the fall and winter holidays. Even adding a rug can provide a much-needed splash of color to tie everything together.
Other home improvement projects you can do in August include swapping out your HVAC system’s air filters, vacuuming dust from the vent covers, and prepping your landscaping for fall.
September
In many places, September has mild weather as summer transitions into fall. Now is a good time to work on your roof. Replace missing or broken shingles and patch up any holes that might let in rain and snowmelt.
Next, clean the leaves, sticks, and dirt out of your gutters. You want to ensure the gutters are in working order if you get more precipitation in the fall. Leaky roofs and clogged gutters could result in water damage to your home. Also, cracks and holes may attract insects and pests and even cause structural damage.
October
Cold air drafts cause energy bills to soar and make it harder to regulate indoor temperatures. That’s why you should insulate your attic this month to prepare for cooler weather. You can make this a DIY project if you’re comfortable with it, or hire a professional to put in the insulation.
This renovation can significantly reduce your energy costs when winter rolls in. Adding new insulation can save you 15% on heating and cooling expenses — plus, you can get your old Halloween decorations out while you’re up there!
November
If you still have some clear days ahead, refresh the siding on your house. Start by blasting off any old, peeling paint with a pressure washer. Then, use a paint sprayer to breathe new life into your home’s exterior. You can finish by repainting the trim and shutters.
Just like your interiors, exterior paint dries more quickly in cooler temperatures. Just be sure to check the weather forecast and wait for a few consecutive days with no precipitation.
December
During Black Friday, washers and dryers are often on sale — you can buy new ones in November to prepare for December laundry room renovations. According to the Department of Energy, the latest washing machine models use about 35% less water and 25% less energy than older versions.
Since you probably won’t be tearing down any walls, you won’t have to prop the windows open on a freezing cold day. Simply update your old appliances, add shelving, and brighten up the walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper to upgrade your laundry room.
A Packed Home Renovation Calendar
While there’s no specific timeline for when you have to do renovations, some seasons pair naturally with certain projects. Look for discounts, hire contractors in the off-season, and do some remodeling yourself if you can to save money. Your house will feel like a brand-new space before you know it.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura & San Diego with reliable, thoroughly screened home renovation contractors and provides project support from start to finish.
Submit your project to be connected with several fully vetted, trustworthy contractors who are experienced with home remodeling projects. For more info, visit www.GreatBuildz.com or call 818.317.3567 today.
Rose Morrison is a home & construction writer from Pittsburgh, PA. She’s the managing editor of Renovated, a web magazine for the real estate industry. She’s most interested in sharing home projects and inspiration for the most novice of DIY-ers, values she developed growing up in a family of contractors.
