Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Renovate Your Home

With rising interest rates, material costs fluctuating, and new tariffs adding even more uncertainty, many homeowners are stuck in ‘wait-and-see’ mode. But in reality, this stretch of hesitation across the market has quietly opened a golden window—the best time in years to start a home renovation.

Contractor schedules have opened up. Lead times are shorter. Pricing on materials has started to settle after the pandemic surge. And for those thinking long-term, energy-efficient upgrades can immediately cut monthly costs while locking in ongoing value.

When others hit pause, there’s room to move forward without the competition. Renovating now means access to better pricing, better people, and a better result.

Renovating Adds Real Value—Not Just in Dollars

A well-done home renovation does more than just tidy things up. It changes how a space functions, how it feels to live in, and yes, how much it’s worth if you ever decide to sell.

Here’s the part a lot of people miss: not all renovations are equal. Swapping out countertops won’t move the needle nearly as much as rethinking the layout of a kitchen or opening up a closed-off main floor. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, kitchen remodels and bathroom upgrades consistently rank near the top for return on investment.

But it’s not just about resale. A renovation that reflects how a household actually lives—more storage, better lighting, smarter flow—creates daily value that spreadsheets can’t fully capture.

Take this example: a Vancouver couple living in a 1970s bungalow upgraded their space with a full kitchen reno and added a small home office. The changes weren’t massive in square footage, but they were tailored to how they use the space. Their home appraised for substantially more six months later, and they now use every room daily instead of fighting with a layout that never worked.

That kind of transformation sticks. It builds both financial and emotional equity. And when done with future-forward thinking—like incorporating energy-efficient upgrades—the payoff stretches far beyond property value.

Trades Availability Is the Best It’s Been in Years

Ask anyone who tried to book a renovation between 2020 and 2022—it was chaos. Lead times stretched into months. Trades were overbooked. And the best designers and contractors? Forget it, they were booked solid through the next spring.

That rush has slowed.

Right now, skilled trades have space in their schedules, which means faster timelines and more one-on-one attention. It also means the people on your job site aren’t rushing to squeeze your project in between three others. That translates to better quality, fewer mistakes, and less stress.

And then there’s pricing. With fewer homeowners pulling the trigger, home renovation costs have started to level out. Materials like lumber and drywall, which spiked during the pandemic, are finally back within reach. Some suppliers are even offering bulk or off-season discounts to keep inventory moving.

For clients working with design-build teams like maison d’etre, this shift opens up even more value. You’re not just getting access to people—you’re getting access to the right people at the right time, when they can actually focus on doing the job well.

In short: the frenzy is over, and what’s left is opportunity.

Energy-Efficient Upgrades Aren’t Just Good for the Planet—They’re Good for Your Bills

Utility costs never seem to go down. And while nobody gets excited about insulation or HVAC systems, they’re some of the smartest long-term plays in any home renovation.

Energy-efficient upgrades like triple-glazed windows, heat pumps, and high-efficiency water heaters can seriously reduce monthly bills. But the benefit doesn’t stop there. These upgrades make homes more comfortable to live in—fewer drafts, better air circulation, more consistent temps—and they boost market value too. More and more buyers are prioritizing low-energy homes, especially in cities like Vancouver where eco-consciousness isn’t a trend—it’s expected.

And there’s this: British Columbia’s rebate programs and federal incentives can knock thousands off the price of these upgrades. Programs like Canada’s Greener Homes Initiative make energy-focused renovations more accessible, especially when bundled into a larger project.

maison d’etre often builds energy-efficient upgrades directly into their design plans from day one—so they’re not last-minute add-ons or budget killers. That integration makes the process smoother and helps clients get the most value out of every dollar.

Bottom line: going green isn’t a trend move. It’s a strategy for making your home smarter, more livable, and less expensive to run.

You Deserve to Love the Space You Live In

A house can check every box on paper and still feel… off. That’s one of the biggest reasons people start looking into home renovation in the first place. The kitchen feels too closed-in. The bathroom’s too dark. The layout forces people to tiptoe around each other just to make coffee in the morning.

At some point, it’s not about resale value or market conditions. It’s about making a space that actually works. For your schedule, your habits, your lifestyle.

Post-pandemic, the way people live in their homes has completely shifted. Work happens at the dining table. Kids need space for school and play. And everyone craves spots in the house that feel calm—not chaotic. Renovation isn’t just about keeping up appearances—it’s a chance to rewire the house to fit real life.

maison d’etre often helps clients rethink how their home flows, not just how it looks. That might mean creating multi-functional areas, improving natural light, or reworking underused square footage into something that actually gets lived in.

These aren’t flashy overhauls for the sake of it. They’re practical upgrades that make day-to-day life smoother and more enjoyable. And when the design is tailored to how a family lives, those improvements stick—they get used, appreciated, and loved every single day.

The Bottom Line: Ready to Build a Home That Works Better, Looks Better, and Lasts Longer?

Delaying a home renovation might feel safer, but missing this window could mean higher costs, longer wait times, and fewer options down the line. Right now, the balance of availability, pricing, and long-term value is tipping in homeowners’ favor—and the best projects always start with a solid plan.

maison d’etre specializes in renovations that are made to last. From integrated energy-efficient upgrades to full design-build transformations, the focus is always on quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and results that hold up year after year.

Tariff-free, Canadian-made materials. Transparent process. Zero cookie-cutter solutions.

Reach out today to start a renovation that’s actually worth it. The right space is closer than you think—and the right team is ready to build it with you.