If you’ve been sitting on the idea of remodeling your home, adding more space, or building something from the ground up, you’re not alone. A lot of homeowners are playing the “wait and see” game. They’re waiting for prices to drop, waiting for the right time, or waiting for life to slow down.
But here’s the truth: waiting until 2026 to start your remodel might cost you more in money, time, and even peace of mind.
In this blog, we’ll break down why now is the smarter time to start planning your project and what kind of costs are quietly creeping up the longer you delay.
Prices Are Going Up, and They’re Not Slowing Down
You might’ve heard that lumber prices dropped after the 2021 spike. That’s true, but "down" doesn't mean "back to normal." Prices for materials like drywall, tile, insulation, and even cabinetry are still much higher than they were just a few years ago.
And labor? That’s another story.
Skilled tradespeople are in demand. With fewer new professionals entering the field, contractors are paying more to hire and keep qualified workers. Labor costs in remodeling and residential construction have risen 7 to 10 percent between 2023 and 2024, and forecasts show another bump coming in 2025.
If you’re thinking about a kitchen remodel, bathroom update, or even a custom home build, know this: material and labor prices are rarely going backward. A project quoted at $85,000 today could jump to $95,000 or more next year just by waiting.
Contractor Schedules Fill Fast
You’ve probably heard this before: “Good contractors book out months in advance.” It’s not a scare tactic. It’s reality.
Design-build firms like ours are already scheduling major home remodels, additions, and custom home builds into early 2026. By the time next spring rolls around, homeowners who delayed might find themselves waiting until fall or even winter just to get on a schedule.
Plus, the bigger your project, the longer your runway needs to be. A home addition or full kitchen and bath remodel takes time to plan, draw up, approve, and coordinate before any construction begins. Starting early gives you flexibility and breathing room. Waiting means you’re squeezed into the busiest part of the year or worse, missing your window altogether.
Financing Might Not Be So Friendly Later
A lot of homeowners finance their remodeling projects through home equity loans or HELOCs. And just like everything else in this economy, interest rates aren’t what they used to be.
Rates that were once hovering around 4 to 5 percent have jumped to 7 to 9 percent in some cases. That might not seem like a lot, but on a $100,000 project, that could mean paying $10,000 to $15,000 more over the life of the loan.
Waiting another year to start could mean missing out on your best financing options or paying more in the long run.
You’re Still Living in the Same Problems
There’s also the cost of doing nothing. Maybe your kitchen feels cramped. Maybe your bathroom needs more storage or better lighting. Maybe you’ve run out of room for a growing family. Or maybe you’ve been dreaming about building a custom home that actually fits your lifestyle.
Every month you wait is another month spent living in a home that doesn’t really work for you.
Those everyday annoyances? They add up. And in some cases, like hidden water damage, outdated wiring, or structural wear, the longer you ignore the problem, the more expensive it becomes to fix later.
We’ve seen it firsthand. One client delayed a bathroom renovation in 2023 due to pricing fears, only to discover major water damage behind the shower wall in 2024. That $25,000 project became a $35,000 repair.
Remodel Costs Are Based on Trends, Not Hype
Still unsure? Let’s look at the data.
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, the average project cost increased over 5 percent from 2023 to 2024, with projections showing another 3 to 6 percent increase by 2026 depending on your location and the type of work.
Custom home construction costs have jumped even higher in some areas, rising by $10 to $15 per square foot over the past year alone.
This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s the natural trend of the market. The longer you hold out, the more you might have to budget.
What Happens If You Start Now?
Starting now doesn’t mean you’re tearing out your kitchen next week. It means you're planning ahead, the smart way.
When you start your kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, home addition, or custom home design today, you get:
· A clear, upfront plan
· Priority placement on our schedule
· Locked-in pricing based on current rates
· Time to make thoughtful decisions, not rushed ones
· Peace of mind that you’re ahead of the 2026 price bump
You also get to work with a team that doesn’t cut corners. At Shooltz Remodeling Advantage, we offer fixed-price proposals after the design phase. That means no surprises once construction begins. That’s something most contractors won’t promise.
Shooltz Remodeling Advantage: Your Partner in Smarter Home Projects
Whether you’re planning a kitchen upgrade, a bathroom remodel, a custom home build, or a home addition to finally get the space you need, waiting might be the most expensive choice you make.
At Shooltz Remodeling Advantage, we do more than build and remodel homes. We help homeowners make confident, informed decisions that truly improve their daily lives.
We offer:
· End-to-end design-build services
· Transparent timelines and pricing
· A schedule you can trust
· Full remodeling services for kitchens, bathrooms, and whole homes
· Custom home construction done by real experts
· Home additions that feel seamless and intentional
We’re already booking into 2026. Now is the best time to start a conversation about your goals, your home, and how we can make it work better for you.
Let’s Lock In Your 2025 Plan Today with Shooltz Remodeling Advantage
Don’t wait until next year to realize the time and money you could’ve saved.
Book your consultation with Shooltz Remodeling Advantage now. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, planning a home addition, or ready to start your custom home build, we’ll help you do it right and help you do it now.
Your dream home deserves to be more than a someday plan. Let’s build it together.
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