What's the best time of year to start a home renovation?

Late winter to early spring (February–April) is the best time to sign contracts in most US markets. Contractors are coming off the slow December–January period and have crew capacity; material lead times are shorter than the summer rush; and projects finish before the late-summer surge. The worst time is mid-May through August in any market — contractors are at peak load, lead times stretch 2–3×, and your project bumps to the back of the queue if a higher-priority job comes in. Exception: roofing work in the Sun Belt is best in late fall / early winter when temperatures drop below 90°F.