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Although there is snow on the ground right now and winter is still in full swing, many Northern Indiana homeowners are already looking forward to spring. For us and many other home improvement companies, spring is often the busiest time of the year. The weather warms up, more people get outside, and homeowners want to make changes to the exterior of their homes.
For some, the process of a spring renovation starts well before the first day of the season. Even during the cold months, there are a few homeowners who are already brainstorming, planning, and budgeting for projects to start in the spring. However, the more common mistake that we see homeowners make is waiting until spring to get started. Once the weather warms up, we are flooded with customers looking to get a project scheduled. This leads to longer wait times and, in some cases, project start dates being delayed until summer. We always recommend starting the planning process, receiving estimates, and scheduling a home improvement project during the winter months so that a true spring start date becomes more achievable.
In this article, we’ll cover our best tips around how to plan for a spring home improvement project for Northern Indiana homeowners.
Indiana Spring – The Best Time For Home Improvement
It’s no secret that spring is the most popular time to have home improvement projects done. Every year we experience a wave of customers looking to have work done during that time of year. And spring is really the most ideal time of the year for home improvement projects in Northern Indiana.
As the daylight starts to last longer, home improvement companies are able to work longer hours during the day. This helps shorten production timelines and give the customer a faster result than other times of the year. The weather also gets warmer which gives the ability to complete projects that cold weather conditions prevent. And, not least of all, when a project is completed in the spring, a homeowner then gets to enjoy it for the rest of the season and all summer long.
We understand and agree with the appeal of spring time work, but there are some significant benefits to starting early.
Benefits Of Planning Your Project During the Winter
1. Contractor schedules fill up fast
With spring being such a popular time to have roofing, siding, and other projects done, the demand fills the books. Customers who wait until spring to schedule often have to wait weeks or even months before the work will begin.
Those who plan ahead and schedule work in the winter get priority when the weather warms up. Signing with a company in January or February can almost guarantee a spring start date.
2. Permits and Material Ordering
When having work done on your home, the permitting process takes time. By filing for permits well ahead of the desired start date, we can walk through the process with you and have everything ready to go by spring.
Material ordering can also become delayed in spring due to the large number of orders that suppliers receive. When you schedule during the winter, we do everything we can to make sure that materials will be there on time so we can start on your project as soon as possible.
3. Locking in Your Price
In the construction industry, there are periodic material price increases. Vinyl siding cost, shingle roofing pricing, and other materials are always subject to change and, as roofing contractors and siding contractors, we can’t be 100% sure when these increases will happen. However, one thing we do know is that booking during the winter saves our customers thousands by helping them avoid spring price increases.
Most Popular Spring Time Projects
If you’re reading this article, you most likely already have a project in mind for the spring, but we wanted to share some of the most common spring home improvement projects that we see year after year.
1. Roofing and Exterior Repairs
Spring is the perfect time to have a roofing or exterior repair project completed. Northern Indiana winters often leave damage behind that, if left untouched, can lead to major issues down the road. Getting work done early in the spring helps prevent this long-term damage. At a minimum, a spring roof inspection is a good idea to make sure that your home is secure. We offer roof inspections for free and one can be scheduled here.
2. Siding, Gutters, and Drainage
With spring comes the occasional heavy rain or thunderstorm. Because of this, new siding, gutters, and drainage systems are a no-brainer. These systems will help project the interior of your home from rain and moisture intrusion and will help protect the foundation of your home by guiding water away.
3. Window and Door Installation
Although many window and door projects can be completed during the winter, many homeowners decide to wait until spring. This makes sense from an energy efficiency and comfort standpoint. You don’t have to lose the heat in your home during installation and you can get increased energy-efficiency before the heat of summer sets in.
Signs You Should Schedule An Inspection Now
So far, we’ve covered the importance of planning a spring project early and the most common types of work we see requested in spring. As mentioned, spring is a great time to have a roof inspected to evaluate winter damage. However, there are some circumstances in which a homeowner should have an inspection done immediately.
1. Missing or Damaged Materials
If you notice your home is missing some shingles, there are large gaps in the siding, or your gutters are coming loose, now is the time to schedule an inspection. These issues will only worsen with time and waiting until spring could cost you thousands.
2. Water Stains or Leaks
If you begin to notice signs of a roof or siding leak on the interior of your home, it is important to act quickly. The freeze-thaw cycles in Northern Indiana make this a common problem, but not one that should be ignored or delayed.
3. Drafts and Rising Energy Bills
If you notice significant drafts from doors or windows or that your energy bill seems to keep climbing, schedule an inspection. Although having doors and windows replaced can be pricey, it will save you money in the long-run.
4. Visible Wear from Winter Weather
Ice dams, shingle granule loss, and cracked siding are all common signs of winter wear on your home. If you notice any of these, we recommend scheduling an inspection before the problem gets worse.
Final Thoughts: Getting Ahead Of Spring
Homeowners who plan ahead and book their spring home improvement projects during the winter months experience less scheduling headaches, shorter production timelines, and, in some cases, even increased savings. Although it can be difficult to envision a spring home improvement project when there is snow on the ground, it is incredibly beneficial to plan ahead and get on schedule early.
If you’re thinking about a home improvement project this spring, we’re here to help you get started and get scheduled. Contact us here, call us at (574) 551-7663, or visit our Facebook to set up your initial consultation and free estimate!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to do home improvement projects in phases or all at once?
Which home improvement projects add the most value?
Can exterior home improvements increase energy efficiency?
Are spring projects often delayed by storms and rain?
How do I choose a contractor for my spring home improvements?
Residential Roofer in Northern Indiana
