9 Tips to Navigate a Successful Winter Home Renovation Project

Let’s be honest! Embarking on a winter home renovation can be challenging, especially in a city like Philadelphia, where snow, sleet, low temperatures, and wind chills can persist throughout the season. But this doesn’t mean you should avoid renovating your Philadelphia home in winter; it simply means you need to navigate the process with some know-how.

Since homeowners are not renovation experts, we will share some practical tips from our extensive experience. So, if you are not a renovation pro, don’t worry! In this article, we will guide you on how to navigate a successful winter home renovation. We have been down this road many times. So, grab these valuable insights and enjoy the journey!

1. Plan Properly

Before beginning a remodeling project, it is essential to take some time to plan the entire process. This involves assessing whether the work can be completed successfully during winter. Depending on the scope of work, you may need to find temporary accommodations for a few weeks or months as living through a renovation can be challenging, especially in winter. Winter renovations could mean open windows during construction, heat set to a lower temperature, or water lines drained to avoid freezing, to name a few. Every detail of the project must be considered, from keeping the home adequately heated to dealing with the harsh elements. Proper planning is key to the success of your renovation project.

2. Choose the Right Contractor

Don’t forget to choose the right contractor for a successful winter home renovation. In addition to having experience, the contractor should be local. From selecting materials suitable for winter conditions to scheduling work around weather fluctuations, a local contractor can make informed decisions. Their knowledge of the local climate can make all the difference between a winter home renovation that seamlessly comes together and one that does not work out.

3. Take Action ASAP

If possible, start your winter home renovation before the coldest weather and snow and ice make it challenging to work outside. If you live in Philadelphia or New Jersey, you can begin by filling out a FREE Consultation form. Our experts can advise if your project can be successfully completed during the winter season. Don’t wait any longer, let’s get started today!

4. Consider Winter-Friendly Projects

Renovating your whole home in winter may not be possible. While some exterior improvements are possible in winter, such as repainting doors or upgrading outdoor lighting, major outdoor projects like roof repairs may be challenging in the extreme cold, snow, sleet, and ice. Instead, think about tackling indoor projects and smaller tasks. These smaller projects are manageable even during the harsh winter weather. For example, focus on upgrading your kitchen countertops or giving your bathroom a fresh look. These indoor and smaller projects can make for a successful winter renovation home renovation.

5. Ice and Snow Removal

Winter weather brings challenges, and it is important to understand how it impacts construction projects. Cold weather does not mean you cannot renovate. However, remember with lower temperatures and snow and ice you may encounter issues. Slippery surfaces outside the home can lead to accidents and ice debris from roofs and scaffolding can fall and harm workers. To ensure a successful winter home renovation, planning the work schedule around the weather and arranging for snow removal and salting of steps and walkways is necessary.

6. Tools and Work Areas

During the messier parts of their job, such as cutting tiles and drywall, most contractors will work outside or in the garage. However, the cold weather may force them to work inside your house. Therefore, it is important to stay in touch with your contractor and ensure they have enough space to work efficiently.

7. Prepare for Delays

Renovating a home in winter has challenges that may bring unexpected problems, such as stopping work on specific parts of your project or delaying material deliveries. These issues can make the project take longer than planned. Let’s go over the most common reasons for delays:

1. Limited Daylight Hours: Winter days are shorter, giving less time for construction work. This can extend the overall renovation time, especially if work is limited to daylight hours. Artificial lighting, such as construction lights, can be used to extend work hours into the evening.

2. Weather-Related Delays: Winter weather, such as snow and ice, can lead to delays. Bad weather may make it more difficult to transport materials and make some construction tasks more challenging. For example, it takes more time for paint to dry in winter due to low temperatures. Also, working in many layers of clothing could slow workers down. To make the situation less problematic, closely monitor weather forecasts, plan for potential delays, and take precautions like covering exposed areas or providing heated spaces for critical tasks.

8. Be Prepared for Extra Costs

Winter may not be the best time to start a home renovation, but it is possible to achieve a successful outcome.  However, it is important to keep in mind that winter renovations may come with additional costs.  To better understand this, let’s take a look at some examples:

1. Ventilation: Good ventilation is essential during renovations to allow dust and fumes to escape.  During the winter months, it is difficult to leave windows open without losing heat. Therefore, it is important to implement effective dust control measures and use air filtration systems to maintain indoor air quality.
2. Energy Costs: Keeping the work site warm during a winter renovation is extremely important. Construction workers may need to use additional heating equipment to create a comfortable working environment, and this will contribute to higher utility bills.
3. Potential for Frozen Pipes:  In winter, there is a risk of pipes freezing, especially if the heating system is temporarily turned off or if the home is not adequately insulated during the renovation. Precautions should be taken to prevent pipes from freezing, such as insulating exposed pipes, draining the pipes, or maintaining a minimal level of heat in the home.
4. Insulation: If you are renovating a semi-detached house or townhome in winter, consider the neighbors. Shared walls can affect their comfort if your home becomes cold. If the shared wall isn’t well insulated, think about using temporary insulation to prevent heat loss. This could lead to extra fees.

9. Rely on the Expertise of the Matrix Team

The Matrix Team has a proven track record of successful winter home renovation projects. As a 203(k) and HomeStyle loan contractor for many years, we have considerable experience and know how to handle the unique challenges of winter renovations. You can trust our experience, knowing that we have successfully completed similar projects in the past.

We have a portfolio of successful winter home renovation projects in the Philadelphia area, including indoor and outdoor projects. For example, we completed a significant kitchen and bathroom renovation, electrical wiring, drain line plumbing, and roof and siding renovation on Arbor Street. Working with siding and roofing in cold weather presented challenges, but the results were amazing. Additionally, we undertook another siding and roof renovation project on Franklin Street. Despite the outdoor nature of the project and the inconvenience of cold weather, our team worked diligently to ensure a successful outcome.

Conclusion

To wrap up, you do not need to worry about renovating your home in winter. It is possible to end up with a successful winter home renovation project. You will need good planning and a team of professionals to help you achieve a successful winter home renovation. In fact, winter home renovation comes with many benefits that we will discuss in our next article.

With Matrix Company Solutions Corp.’s local know-how and careful planning, your winter home renovation in Philadelphia or New Jersey can be easy and enjoyable! So, go ahead and make your home cozier this winter with a renovation that fits your vision. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Consultation and Estimate.