Many Michigan homeowners spend a long time imagining their ideal kitchen, addition, basement, or deck before they ever reach out to a contractor. Turning that dream into a real project can feel overwhelming.
Between budgets, family schedules, material lead times, and even Michigan’s unpredictable seasons, it’s hard to know when to start planning and how far in advance you should get moving.
At Custom Built, we understand how much goes into that decision. For more than 20 years, we’ve guided families through the full design-build process, helping them navigate timing, seasonal considerations, financial factors, and the emotional side of remodeling.
In this article, we’ll break down what you should consider before starting a remodel and how far in advance to plan:
How Far in Advance Should You Plan?
Most homeowners should begin planning 6-9 months before construction. Exterior projects typically require about 6 months of preparation, while interior projects with more design detail often need around 9 months.
By starting your planning early, you give yourself time to consider the important aspects of your remodel: design, budgeting, and scheduling. Starting early allows you to:
- Take more time to design thoughtfully
- Gain better control over your budget
- Secure access to preferred contractors
- Build flexibility around family schedules
- Ensure a smoother, more enjoyable build
For example:
- Looking for a summer kitchen remodel next year? Begin your design phase this winter (around 9 months).
- Major home addition next year? Start discussing ideas with a remodeling expert today to secure favorable construction conditions in the summer (about 6 months).
The earlier you begin, the more options you’ll have and the more peace of mind you’ll enjoy throughout the process.
Many Homeowners Spend Months (Sometimes Years) Dreaming First
Most projects begin long before a phone call to a contractor. Homeowners often dream about a remodel for seasons at a time, gathering ideas, imagining layouts, and waiting for the “right moment.”
That’s normal. But the shift from dreaming to doing is often the biggest hurdle.
Once the design phase begins, momentum builds quickly. Many clients move efficiently through the Design Vision and floorplan concepts, enjoying the collaborative process of shaping their space. When it comes to the Selection Showcase (choosing cabinetry, hardware, flooring, and fixtures), the pace can sometimes shift naturally.
With so many exciting options available, homeowners often take a little extra time to ensure every detail feels just right. We’ve seen the initial design direction come together in just a few weeks, while selections may take longer as families thoughtfully finalize the finishes that will define their home for years to come.
The earlier you start planning, the more breathing room you’ll have to make confident choices without rushing.
Understanding Lead Times and Contractor Availability
Even after the design is complete, there are logistical realities that shape your timeline. Ordering materials alone can take a full month or more. Cabinets, windows, and doors often require long lead times that fluctuate throughout the year.
At Custom Built, we order materials immediately after the design is finalized (your Agreement Signing) and ensure materials arrive before construction begins. The time between your Agreement Signing and the start of construction (on average) fluctuates between 2 and 12 weeks.
Additionally, contractor availability matters just as much. Some contractors, especially large builders with long-standing reputations, are booked six months, a year, or even three years out.
At Custom Built, we generally schedule 4-9 months ahead. Planning early ensures you secure a spot on the calendar before the busy season fills up.
How Michigan Seasons Affect Your Project Start Date
Physical seasonality is one of the biggest factors homeowners overlook. Michigan weather impacts outdoor remodels more than most people realize:
- Concrete shouldn’t be poured in consistently freezing temperatures, which means companies typically stop pouring between October and November. So, a broom-finished concrete pad in December is likely not happening.
- Decks and additions can still be built in winter, but only if your contractor has the equipment and experience to handle cold-weather work.
- Pockets of warm weather in late winter can help start decks earlier than expected.
Indoor projects follow a different pattern. For many families, Michigan’s gray, stressful winter months are not the right time to add the pressure of remodeling. Others see it as the perfect opportunity: when they’re home more and want to refresh their space before spring.
Good timing isn’t just about the weather. It’s about what season of life you’re in.
Family Life Plays a Bigger Role Than Most Homeowners Expect
Remodeling affects your household rhythm in ways that go beyond noise and dust.
We’ve worked with families who realized mid-planning that an attic remodel during hockey season would mean losing access to the driveway. The same driveway that their kids used every day for outdoor play and practice. Others wanted to avoid a spring remodel because they only had a few summers left with their college-bound kids at home.
These decisions matter. Families have a limited number of seasons together, and aligning a remodel with the right moment can make the experience far less stressful.
We often ask homeowners:
- Do you want to be home during the entire remodel, or will you be traveling?
- Will construction interrupt important seasons: sports, vacations, and school routines?
- Are you looking for a season of peace or a season of change?
Planning early gives you the space to align construction with the flow of your family’s life, not fight against it.
Decision Fatigue Is Real, And Planning Early Helps
Remodeling requires dozens of decisions. The further you get into selections, the more overwhelming it can feel. Materials, colors, fixtures, appliances; each choice affects the next.
Starting the planning process early gives you room to breathe. You’re not rushing decisions. You’re not overwhelmed by back-to-back selections. And your project isn’t delayed because you couldn’t land on the right countertop material.
When homeowners give themselves months (not weeks) to make decisions, the entire remodel moves more smoothly.
Next Steps to Remodeling Your Home
Planning a remodel isn’t just about picking finishes or choosing a contractor; it’s about aligning your home, your family life, and your budget with the right moment.
Now you understand the biggest factors that shape a remodel timeline: the design process, material lead times, contractor availability, Michigan seasonality, and the emotional and financial readiness every family has to work through.
At Custom Built, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping homeowners navigate these decisions with clarity, confidence, and a design-build process that removes uncertainty at every step.
If you're considering a remodel, whether you’re dreaming today or ready to move forward, start a conversation with our Project Development Advisors. We’ll help you map out a realistic timeline and create a plan that supports your home, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Now that you know more about how far in advance you should plan your home remodel, let’s explore the pitfalls to avoid before a build starts, how to choose the right remodeling adventure, and how much your ideal project costs:
- 10 Mistakes That Can Derail a Home Remodel Before It Starts - Discover the most common early-stage remodeling errors homeowners make, and how to avoid them before they cost you time and money.
- How to Prioritize Home Remodeling Projects When You Can’t Do Them All at Once - Learn how to strategically decide which remodels to tackle first so you can make the biggest impact on your home and budget.
- How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Home in Lansing, Michigan? - Get a clear, local breakdown of remodeling costs in Lansing so you can plan confidently and avoid financial surprises.
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