If you have been to Costco, Michaels, or any home improvement store, you know the holiday decor is already out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and it is still August. It seems as though every year the retail stores start pushing the holiday stuff on us earlier and earlier. I used to feel like they were shoving it down my throat and by the time I was ready to get into the holiday spirit everything was gone.
Today, I was thinking about home renovations and how everyone waits until the last minute to start a project for the holidays and it dawned on me.... the retails stores actually have the right idea. Homeowners should be planning ahead for the holidays, not waiting until we are in the thick of the holiday season. There are so many holidays crammed into the last quarter of the year which makes for a fun time of year, one of my favorites actually, but also very stressful. Add a home renovation project to that mix and you have unrealistic expectations that do not provide a win-win situation for the homeowner or general contractor.
If you are using a licensed general contractor who is known for good work, they will be booked in advanced. Even if they try to squeeze you in as a favor, it is not optimal for you or them. I suggest that you plan any renovations you want done for the holidays to be done in the summer. In fact, for all home renovations, you should plan at least 2 months in advance before the start of your project. I am typically booked at least two months in advanced and the good contractors usually are too.
In construction, there can be unknowns that pop-up and can't be predicted. This can cause delays, sometimes those delays allow me to add in last minute small projects, but not always. They can also extend your project timeline, so it is best to have reasonable expectations upfront and know that things don't always go as planned even for the best in the business. You don't want to have an unfinished home project during the holidays.
The key to a successful home project that is a win-win for homeowner and general contractor is one where the expectations are realistic and everyone is flexible with the time demands. This creates a less stressful environment all the way around. I'm sure you heard the term "happy wife, happy life" well a happy contractor equals a contractor motivated to keep you happy.
As summer comes to an end, and so does the blog, just remember next year to plan ahead for your summer projects too! Don't wait till summer to call your contractor about your summer project!
Looking forward to working with you!