Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Advance Design Studio – Home Remodeling
Why Now is the Best Time to Renovate
On the surface, waiting to remodel may seem like the most responsible, safe, or strategic choice.
“We want to save more before starting our remodel.”
“We just aren’t sure about the economy right now, we’ll wait and see.”
“We’re thinking about a remodel; we’ll start planning in a few years.”
But many homeowners don’t realize the real cost of delaying their remodel. So, before you move that project to the bottom of your to-do list, consider the following implications.
What is the Cost of Delaying Your Remodel?
- Higher remodeling costs when you revisit the project due to rising labor and material prices
- Reduced buying power for your original remodel budget
- Increased repair costs as small issues worsen
- Lost years of improved functionality and enjoyment
- Potential for longer timelines when you eventually start the project
Let’s break each of these down.
Why Do Remodel Costs Increase Over Time?
One of the most common misconceptions in home remodeling is that waiting will help you save money.
In reality, the opposite is often true. Delaying a project doesn’t protect your budget- it typically means your buying power will be reduced and you’ll likely pay more for the same remodel later.
Labor, materials, and permitting costs tend to rise year over year. While cost increases have always been part of the industry, they accelerated significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Verisk Repair & Remodel Cost Index, remodeling and repair costs rose by 6.22% in 2020 and nearly doubled to 12.44% in 2021. Although the market has stabilized relatively since then, remodels are still increasing at an average of 3–4% annually.
It’s also important to understand that these increases don’t happen just once a year. Pricing for both labor and materials can shift quarterly- or even more frequently- sometimes with little notice from suppliers. A range of factors contribute to this, including tariffs, rising material costs, ongoing supply chain challenges, transportation and energy expenses, and a shortage of skilled labor.
Zooming out, the long-term trend is even more telling. In many U.S. markets, remodeling and repair costs have increased by nearly 67% since 2015, and there’s little indication that prices will decline.
A major driver behind this is the growing labor shortage in the trades. For decades, there has been a cultural emphasis on four-year degrees, leading fewer people to pursue careers in skilled trades. As a result, the current workforce is aging out faster than it’s being replaced. Today, skilled labor is harder to find than ever, impacting everyone from small remodeling firms to large home improvement companies.
Efforts are underway to address this gap, but the impact won’t be immediate. In April 2026, the Lowe’s Foundation announced a $250 million investment aimed at training 250,000 skilled tradespeople by 2035- an important step toward rebuilding the workforce and encouraging the next generation to enter the trades.
Why do Small Repairs Matter?
In addition to normal material and labor increases, delaying a remodel can make the scope of work more involved and expensive if you have small issues that may worsen over time.
Small existing issues can grow into larger ones. General wear and tear could increase the scope of your renovation, moisture issues could worsen over time and seep into other areas of the home, and aging plumbing or electrical systems could cause more problems in the meantime.
When it’s finally time to begin your remodeling project, you may face additional repairs and a broader scope of work, leading to higher overall costs.
What Else Are You Losing?
The financial cost of waiting to remodel is important, but the lifestyle cost is often just as important to consider.
When your home isn’t functioning well, you feel it every day. Whether it’s your kitchen that’s difficult to cook in, a layout that slows down daily routines, clutter due to limited storage, or a bath that causes more stress than relaxation, they all take a toll on your home life. You shouldn’t live with spaces that you avoid instead of enjoying, and these small frustrations will add up over time.
The number one phrase we hear from homeowners after completing their remodel?
“We wish we had done this renovation sooner.”
Because a remodel isn’t just about upgrading your home for future ROI and resale, it’s about improving the rhythm of your daily life now, and enjoying it for years to come.
Should I Invest in Temporary Fixes?
When a space isn’t working, many homeowners try to delay a remodel with short-term updates, such as painting cabinets, changing faucets, or replacing appliances.
These fixes will help temporarily if cosmetics are your main concern, but they don’t solve underlying design issues. When you do complete your full remodel, the updates you’ve previously made may need to be replaced again, meaning you’ve invested in your space twice.
How Will Delaying Your Remodel Affect Timelines?
Many homeowners assume they can simply start their remodel later with the same timeline. However, successful remodels involve many moving pieces, including design/planning, budget development, permitting, scheduling, material lead times, trade availability, and even weather.
As demand for home remodeling continues to grow, timelines can extend. This means waiting may not delay just your start date, but it could delay your completion date as well.
When Is the Right Time to Start a Remodel?
A remodel isn’t just about budget- it’s about timing in your life, and waiting can cost you more than you think.
The way you use your home is constantly evolving. Growing families need more space, entertaining calls for better layouts and storage, and long-term accessibility is easiest (and more affordable) to plan for, not react to later.
Beyond the likely higher costs and reduced buying power that come with delaying your renovation, the time you can’t get back is often just as impactful. Many homeowners look back and realize they missed years of enjoying a home that could have better supported their daily life.
The best time to remodel is when you recognize your home no longer works for how you want to live. That’s your signal to start planning, take action, and create a space that truly supports your family- now, not later.
Why Starting Early Can Help
You should never have to feel like you’re stuck in waiting for the perfect moment to remodel – especially because it will likely increase the cost of your remodel financially, functionally, and emotionally. There may never be a perfect time to begin a remodel, but there is a smarter approach.
Starting the remodeling process early allows you to:
- Understand what’s possible for your home remodel
- Align your remodeling goals with a realistic budget
- Make informed decisions without pressure
- Avoid costly surprises during construction
At Advance Design Studio, we guide homeowners through every step of their remodel, from start to finish- what we call Common Sense Remodeling.
We know having one single source of responsibility from design through construction leads to a better remodeling experience and outcome for you and your family. We also recognize the investment you’re making into your home, and we’ll help you achieve design solutions that perfectly fit your family’s needs and investment goals.
By moving forward with your remodel now, you’ll never have to find out what it would cost you to wait on creating the best space for your family.