Have you ever thought about starting a remodel during the holidays?
At first, it might sound like a terrible idea.
The holidays are already full enough. Family gatherings, travel plans, kids home from school, meals to make, and now you want to add construction dust and the sound of a nail gun to the mix?
Maybe not.
But here’s the thing: remodeling during the holidays isn’t automatically a bad idea. For some homeowners, it can actually be a pretty good time to get a project underway.
The question isn’t really, “Should anyone remodel during the holidays?”
It’s: “Does remodeling during the holidays make sense for us?”
Because your project, your family, your schedule, and even your holiday plans can make a big difference.
You May Actually Have More Time
Depending on your work schedule, the holidays may give you something that’s hard to come by during the rest of the year: a little extra flexibility.
And remodeling requires decisions.
There will probably be questions from your contractor. Selections that need to be made. Progress you’ll want to check. And inevitably, something you didn’t realize you needed to decide until someone asks you.
Having a little extra time away from work can make all of that easier to manage.
Of course, there’s another side to being home more.
Everyone else might be home more, too.
Which brings me to something important…
Make Sure Your Family Is On Board
Having extra time at home sounds wonderful until your family’s holiday soundtrack becomes saws, nail guns, and construction noise.
If you’re considering remodeling over a holiday break, think about what that will actually feel like for everyone living in the house.
Are the kids going to be home all day?
Is your spouse imagining quiet mornings and Christmas movies while you’re imagining finally getting that bathroom finished?
Neither one is necessarily wrong. You just want everyone to know what they’re signing up for.
A remodel affects more than the room being remodeled. For a while, it becomes part of your everyday life.
Traveling for the Holidays? That Could Work in Your Favor
Now let’s flip the situation.
Maybe you aren’t planning to be home at all.
If your family usually leaves town for a week or two over the holidays, that may be an opportunity to schedule some of the messier parts of your project while you’re away.
Instead of living through demolition, noise, dust, and workers coming and going, you could potentially have some of that work happening while you’re visiting family or enjoying your holiday somewhere else.
That doesn’t mean you can simply hand over the keys and disappear. You’ll still want to coordinate everything carefully with your contractor and make sure you’re available if decisions need to be made.
But if you already planned to leave town, it’s worth discussing the timing with your contractor.
Do You Have Somewhere Else to Stay?
Maybe you’re not traveling, but you have family or friends nearby who wouldn’t mind having you for a little while.
Temporarily moving out during a particularly disruptive part of the remodel can sometimes make life easier for everyone.
Your contractor may be able to work without constantly navigating around your family, and your family doesn’t have to navigate around the construction.
That’s a win worth considering, assuming everyone still likes each other after sharing a house for a week!
Think About Which Room You’re Remodeling
This one can make or break the plan.
A guest bathroom remodel when you aren’t hosting anyone for the holidays?
That might be completely manageable.
A kitchen remodel right before Thanksgiving when 20 people are coming to your house?
I would think that one through very carefully.
Picture your actual holiday before you schedule the project.
Where will everyone gather? What rooms will you need? Are overnight guests coming? Will you be cooking? Are there traditions that depend on a particular part of your home?
The project that barely affects one family’s Christmas could completely disrupt another family’s celebration.
Think Beyond the Holidays, Too
Sometimes putting up with a little inconvenience now can help you reach a bigger goal later.
Maybe you want an outdoor kitchen or patio ready when warm weather arrives.
Maybe you’re creating an additional bedroom before a new baby joins the family.
Maybe there’s another event or season coming up that makes finishing the project by a certain date important to you.
In that case, starting during the winter might make sense.
Instead of looking only at what’s happening during the remodel, look at what you’re trying to have ready on the other side of it.
So, Is Remodeling During the Holidays a Good Idea?
It can be.
It can also be a very bad idea.
And that’s exactly why I wouldn’t make the decision based on the calendar alone.
Before you choose your start date, ask yourself:
- What part of our home will be affected?
- Will we need that space for holiday gatherings or guests?
- Will we be home, traveling, or able to stay somewhere else?
- Do I have more flexibility in my schedule during this time?
- Is my family comfortable living with the disruption?
- Is there a particular season or event we’re trying to have the project completed before?
- What does our contractor recommend based on the project and schedule?
There’s no magic month when remodeling suddenly becomes convenient.
The calendar doesn’t determine whether it’s a good time to remodel. Your circumstances do.
The best remodeling schedule is one that works not only for the project, but for the people who have to live through it.
So, What’s Your Next Step?
If you’ve decided the holidays are a good time to move forward with your remodel, my free Start Here Guide can help you think through those important early decisions before the work begins.
But if you’ve decided you’d rather enjoy the holidays without construction dust and save the remodeling for next year, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start.
My Holiday Home Prep List will help you take care of your home now and head into the new year feeling a little more prepared.
Get the Holiday Home Prep List →