Why Late Summer Is Ideal for Starting Major Home Projects
If you’ve been dreaming about opening up your floor plan, remodeling your outdated kitchen, or adding a much-needed bathroom, timing is everything. In a region like Ann Arbor, where seasons affect everything from permits to contractor availability, timing a renovation can matter as much as the renovation itself.
In Ann Arbor, the question comes up often: when’s the best time to renovate? With three decades of design-build experience, we can say with confidence—it’s late summer. In this article, we’ll explore a few of the strategic factors that make this slim timeframe the best time for home renovation—and a few ideas for your next project.
Have other questions about local renovations? Contact the experts here.
Timing Your Major Renovations in Michigan
If you’ve lived in Michigan long enough, you know that our seasons can be as unpredictable as they are beautiful. Renovation projects that involve excavation, structural work, or even window installation can be severely impacted by weather conditions. Planning your renovation around the local calendar is key to avoiding costly delays and securing your preferred contractor.
Late summer—especially the window from mid-August through early September—offers a unique sweet spot between peak construction activity and early fall preparation season. This timing takes advantage of Michigan’s most stable weather period while positioning your project ahead of the typical fall rush.
5 Reasons Late Summer is the Best Time for Home Renovation in Ann Arbor
1. Stable Weather Supports Exterior and Structural Work
By late summer, Michigan has typically settled into more consistent, dry conditions. The soil is warm, the risk of spring flooding has passed, and contractors can perform excavation or framing without frequent weather delays. This makes it a great time to begin additions, foundation upgrades, or whole-home remodels that need exterior access.
2. Getting Ahead of the Autumn Rush
Most homeowners begin thinking about remodeling projects in the fall—especially once school starts or the holidays are on the horizon. But by that time, the best contractors may already be booked. Starting your project in late summer puts you just a little bit ahead of the demand curve and secures your place on the calendar before schedules fill up.
3. Easier Permit Approvals and Inspections
Local building departments often experience slower processing times in midsummer. This is due to vacation schedules and reduced staffing. However, many municipal offices pick up speed again in August. Staff returns, and preparation begins for the busy fall season.
Starting your project later in the summer often means faster turnaround on permits and inspections. This is especially important for major renovations and design-build projects requiring multiple sign-offs.
4. More Livable Conditions During Renovation
Renovating while continuing to live in your home can be one of the most stressful aspects of any major project. Tackling renovations during the late summer allows you to take full advantage of Michigan’s pleasant weather conditions—think backyard patio dinners during kitchen renovations or open windows during drywall work. You’re less dependent on your HVAC system and more likely to keep dust and disruption at bay.
5. Project Completion Before Winter Holidays
One of the most compelling benefits of starting a renovation in late summer is the realistic potential to finish before winter weather arrives and holiday entertaining begins. This timing is particularly valuable for kitchen renovations and any other projects that may affect critical entertaining spaces.
Whether you’re working on a kitchen refresh, a basement overhaul, or a substantial addition, getting started now improves your chances of enjoying the new space by Thanksgiving or the December holidays—without having to host guests amid the chaos of construction.
What Should You Tackle This Time of Year?
Late summer timing is particularly well-suited for several types of major renovation projects, including:
- Kitchen and main-floor remodels benefit from the stable weather for any exterior work (like expanding openings for larger windows or patio doors) and the comfortable conditions for indoor work. The moderate temperatures make it easier to work around temporarily displaced appliances and cooking arrangements.
- Basement renovations with egress installation take advantage of the dry soil conditions ideal for excavation work, while the comfortable temperatures make the often-challenging basement work environment more manageable.
- Structural repairs and foundation improvements are best tackled when soil conditions are stable and dry, making the late summer the best time for home renovation projects involving foundation work, basement waterproofing, and structural reinforcement projects.
- Demolish-and-rebuild projects like our signature Ann Arbor lot rebuilds benefit from having a full construction season ahead, allowing for foundation work, framing, and exterior completion before winter weather arrives.
If you’re still in the early planning and design stages, late summer is also an ideal time to schedule design consultations, finalize floor plans, select materials, and complete permit applications. This preparation work can be completed during the pleasant late summer weather, positioning your project to begin construction as soon as conditions are optimal.
MBK: Local Renovation Experts Through Any Season
With 30+ years of remodeling experience in the greater Ann Arbor area, MBK Constructors helps homeowners plan and complete projects in step with Michigan’s building seasons—so each phase runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and delivers the space you’ve been envisioning.
Through our design-build approach, we’ve helped homeowners in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Brighton, Chelsea, and beyond transform their living spaces—maximizing timing, budget, and long-term value. Whether you’re envisioning a complete home reimagining or exploring what’s possible on your property, we guide you through each step with clarity and expertise.
If you’ve been waiting to make some big changes to your home, consider this your sign—late summer is the best time for home renovation in our region. Let’s talk about your renovation goals—book a free design-build consultation with MBK’s experts.
