5 Home Renovations to Complete This Summer (And 2 That Can Wait Until Fall)

Warmer temperatures, more sunlight, and, in many locations, less precipitation make summer one of the best times to complete home renovations as it’s more likely that your project will be completed in less time with fewer delays.

If you’re looking to sell your home, these renovations may help increase your home’s value. If you plan to stay in your home, it’s still the ideal time to complete projects so you can enjoy your home to the fullest.

Here are five home renovations to complete this summer, plus two that can wait until fall.

1. Improve Your Outdoor Patio or Seating Area

If you don’t have the budget, or room, for a full deck, you can still create a seating area that fits your space and allows you to enjoy the longer, sunnier days of summer. FortuneBuilders shared several ways to make your outdoor space more appealing without breaking your budget, including DIY furniture out of concrete blocks and foam pads. Add a fire pit to the middle of your new seating area and you have an area for entertaining guests.

2. Replace Your Windows

Your old windows can cause you to spend 10–25% more on your energy bills. But how do you know if they’re due for an update? If you’ve felt the draft in the winter, you may know it’s time.

However, Forbes explains that if they’re broken, warped, or damaged, or your home needs a makeover, it’s time. Bob Vila also noted if you added caulking last year and you still felt the chill, it’s time to replace them. The good news is that you can expect to recuperate much of the cost of window replacement by increasing your home’s resale value.

3. Fix or Install a New Door

If you’ve noticed doors in your house that are harder to open than usual, now is the time to fix it. It’s common for doors to swell in the warmer, more humid summer months, which may cause them to stick. According to HomeAdvisor, a sticking door is easily fixed with a little sanding. However, if your door is sagging it may require changing the hardware that’s used to hang the door. If the door is damaged, make sure you replace it with a door that is a good fit for your climate.

4. Upgrade (or Replace) Your Driveway

As Eppraisal.com notes, driveways are a major part of your home’s curb appeal. Summer is the time to make updates, like refinishing your asphalt or concrete driveway or completely change its look. Need more parking for guests? Make your driveway wider. Interested in a new material? Seashells, for example, pair well with beachside cottages.

5. Pressure Wash Your Home

Like a shower for your house, a pressure wash can remove dirt and sediment, instantly brightening the look of your home. Pressure washing also gets rid of organic material that can, if not treated, damage your home, including mold and mildew.

While you can rent pressure washers, it’s worth looking into professional services that ensure your home isn’t damaged and that all debris is removed.

Plan Ahead: Fall Projects

While you may see painting crews out and about town during the summer, it’s best to wait until fall to paint your house. You still want warm temperatures—between 50 and 90 degrees is ideal, according to Consumer Reports—but you also want drier weather. If you wait until it’s too cold, you may not get proper adhesion. If done while too hot, your paint will dry too quickly, creating the potential for a streaky paint job. The best temperature will depend on the specific paint you choose.

You’ll also want to wait until fall for floor repairs. As Real Simple points out, summer’s heat and moisture can wreak havoc on your floors, particularly if they’re hardwood. By waiting until fall, you’ll be able to see the real extent of the repairs needed. Sand down and refinish scratched or damaged floors, but plan to replace boards that are deeply scratched. Unsure what’s needed? Call in a professional.

Fund Your Renovations

You have your home renovation to-do list, but not everyone has cash on hand to make the necessary improvements. One option is to tap into your home’s equity via a Hometap Investment. In exchange for a share of the future value of your home, Hometap will give you the cash you need to get the job done.