As we roll into the dog days of summer, the heat is smoldering, the bugs are in full swing, and the humidity can be stifling at times. If you are tired of running indoors to escape all that isn’t great about the great outdoors, then the addition of a sunroom is an excellent idea.
If you’ve been dreaming about adding a sunroom, screened porch, patio cover, or custom deck, you’ve probably asked yourself one question:
“Should I start my project now, or would it be better to wait?”
While everyone’s situation is different, waiting isn’t always the money-saving strategy. In many instances, delaying a project can lead to higher costs, longer installation timelines, and another season spent wishing you had started sooner.
Is it the right time for you? Here’s what you need to consider before putting your plans into action or on hold.
Material Prices Can Change Over Time
Building materials rarely maintain their price over time. Aluminum, lumber, roofing materials, concrete, insulation, glass, and other construction materials are all influenced by manufacturing costs, transportation, supply chains, and market demand.
While no one can predict future pricing, it’s common for construction costs to fluctuate from season to season and over time. Waiting several months, or even a year, may not necessarily result in lower prices.
If you have already decided that adding an outdoor living space is a part of your long-term plans, it may be worth exploring your options sooner rather than later.
Construction Schedules Fill Up Quickly
Many homeowners begin planning their outdoor projects at the same time. Spring and early summer are typically the busiest seasons for contractors throughout North and South Carolina. As demand increases, installation schedules often fill weeks or even months in advance.
Starting the planning process gives you more flexibility when choosing installation dates and helps ensure your project is complete in time to enjoy it. It also helps to order materials before you actually need them so their arrival doesn’t hold up the construction schedule when you do begin.
Permits and HOA Approval Take Time
Construction doesn’t usually begin the day you decide to pull the trigger. Depending on where you live, the governing bodies that you answer to, and your local contractor’s schedule, it can take a while to get on the schedule and have all the documentation necessary to move forward. You need to allot time for:
- Building permits
- Engineering approval
- Property surveys
- HOA approval (when necessary)
- Utility reviews
- Site inspections
Each step has its own importance because they help your new addition meet all of the requirements of different governing agencies. Beginning the planning process early allows approvals to move along while all of the materials are being ordered, which will reduce the likelihood of holdups along the way.
Every Season You Wait is a Season You Can’t Enjoy
One of the highest costs of delaying a project isn’t actually financial; it’s time. Imagine spending another summer avoiding mosquitoes, another fall wishing you had a covered outdoor space for entertaining, or another winter looking out onto a patio that’s either too cold, wet, or bug-ridden to enjoy.
A custom sunroom or screened porch creates a space your family can use, so the sooner your project is done, the sooner you can start to enjoy every moment outside instead of peeking through a window to enjoy the sunshine.
Financing May Make Building Sooner More Practical
Many homeowners assume they need enough savings to complete their project before they begin. However, financing options are available through many qualified contractors such as Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas. Our financing options allow you to spread payments over time rather than waiting years to save enough cash to pay out of pocket.
For some families, financing can make it possible to begin to enjoy their new outdoor living space sooner while keeping their monthly payments within a comfortable range. When you finance, you not only get to enjoy your addition in the here and now; you build equity every month as you pay it off.
Before you decide to delay, it is worth asking what financing programs may be available for you to enjoy now, pay later.
Delaying Could Mean Missing the Best Time to Build
Construction schedules are often less congested during certain times of the year. Planning your project BEFORE peak season may provide better scheduling flexibility, and it might also help to ensure that your materials are available before demand increases from season to season.
If your goal is to enjoy your new outdoor living space during the spring or summer, beginning the design process in the months leading up to those seasons is often the best approach.
Is There Ever a Good Reason to Wait?
Absolutely.
There are times when waiting might be a better choice. Every homeowner’s situation differs, so waiting might make sense if you’re:
- Planning to move soon
- Completing other major renovations first
- Waiting for HOA or neighborhood approvals
- Still deciding which type of outdoor living space best fits your needs
- Finalizing your budget
The most important part of the decision whether to build and enjoy now or wait and save for later is making an informed choice with all the options available to you. Doing anything on assumption is never a good way to decide what is best.
The Best Time to Start is When YOU’RE Ready
Everyone’s situation differs. If you have decided that adding a sunroom, screened porch, patio cover, or deck will improve your home and your lifestyle, there’s value in starting the planning process today.
An initial free consultation and evaluation can help you understand what your options are, what time estimates for construction look like, and what budgetary restraints you have. The earlier you begin planning, however, the more choices you will have when you are ready to move forward.
Let Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas Help You Plan With Confidence
At Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas, we believe every project starts with listening and communication. We’ll take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your property, explain your options, and answer your questions entirely. That way, you can make the decision that’s right for your family.
Whether you’re ready to build now or simply gathering information for the future, we’re here to help. Schedule your free consultation today and start planning the outdoor living space of your dreams and enjoying it today, not at some point in life. Check out our pre-qualifying page to see if you are eligible for our zero-down financing program.
