ePrivacy and GPDR Cookie Consent by Cookie Consent Best time to start a renovation/extension? Avoid January

Benefits of starting a renovation/extension before January

3 min read
Oct '25 • by Heather

Quick summary

Starting a renovation or extension before January can be beneficial because demand jumps by around 87% in the new year, leading to potential delays and higher costs. Projects now typically take over 12 months, partly due to industry delays from Brexit and COVID. Beginning early helps avoid waitlists, planning hold-ups, and increased prices, giving you a better shot at swift completion.

Our data shows that January is one of the most popular times of the year for new projects. In fact, we see a whopping 87% increase in demand come the new year. Chances are, if you’re reading this article, you too were considering waiting until January to kickstart your project.

However, while it can be tempting to wait until after Christmas to get things started, getting caught in the rush can have consequences for your home. Here’s why, when it comes to home improvement, it can pay off to start sooner, rather than later.

How the January rush might cause project delays

No one likes getting lost in a crowd and even more so when they’re looking to renovate their home, that’s why it can help to get your project off to a good start before the rush begins.

Those who do start in the middle of the demand surge may encounter the following hurdles…

  • Waitlists for in-demand services
  • Planning delays due to overstretched departments
  • Difficulty securing contractors for the summer
  • Increased prices due to labour shortages

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