How Far in Advance Should You Contact a Contractor for Your Remodel?

If you’re considering a remodel—whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom, or basement—one of the biggest questions that comes up early is when to reach out to a contractor. Homeowners across Johnson County and the Kansas City Metro often underestimate just how much time quality remodeling projects take to plan before construction even begins.

At Made New Home Services, we always say: a successful remodel starts long before the first day of demo. Understanding when to begin conversations with your contractor ensures your project runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and results in the home transformation you’re dreaming of.

Why Timing Matters in Remodeling

Remodeling isn’t just about the construction—it’s about planning, design, selections, ordering materials, and scheduling trades. Each of those steps takes time, and each step is crucial to the finished result.

If you wait until the last minute to contact a contractor, you might find that lead times, design phases, and material delays push your desired start date back several months. On the other hand, reaching out too far in advance can work against you, too. Construction pricing and material costs shift over time, and if you haven’t signed a contract yet, those fluctuations can affect your budget.

The goal is to find the sweet spot: early enough to plan well, but not so early that your design and pricing become outdated.

How Far in Advance Should You Contact a Remodeler?

The ideal time to contact your remodeler depends on the size and type of project you’re planning. Here’s a breakdown of how far ahead you should begin your initial outreach, plus how long the planning and construction phases typically take.

Kitchen Remodels

A kitchen remodel is often one of the most complex projects in a home. Between cabinetry design, appliance coordination, plumbing and electrical work, and finish selections, there are a lot of moving parts to manage.

Recommended Lead Time: Contact your remodeler 3–6 months before you want construction to begin.

Planning & Design Phase: 4–8 weeks Construction Phase: 6–10 weeks

During the planning stage, your contractor will help you with design layouts, product selections, and budgeting. The more decisions you can make early in this phase, the more streamlined your construction timeline will be. In Johnson County communities like Overland Park, Leawood, and Olathe, we often see homeowners start the design process in late winter or early spring for summer construction—or in the summer to complete work before the holidays.

Bathroom Remodels

Bathrooms are smaller in footprint, but they require detailed coordination—especially when moving plumbing or changing layouts. While these projects are generally faster than kitchens, they still benefit from thoughtful planning.

Recommended Lead Time: Contact your remodeler 2–4 months before you want work to begin.

Planning & Design Phase: 2–4 weeks Construction Phase: 4–6 weeks

Whether it’s a primary suite upgrade in Leawood or a hall bath refresh in Lenexa, giving yourself a couple of months to finalize design selections ensures your project doesn’t get delayed by product lead times or decision fatigue once work begins.

Basement Remodels

Basement remodels are increasingly popular in the Kansas City area, especially for families looking to expand livable space. These projects are large in scope and can involve everything from framing and electrical to custom bars, home theaters, or guest suites.

Recommended Lead Time: Contact your remodeler 4–6 months before you want construction to begin.

Planning & Design Phase: 4–6 weeks Construction Phase: 8–12 weeks

Because basements often require significant planning for layout, lighting, and moisture control, early design conversations help prevent surprises once construction begins.

The Risk of Starting Too Early

While planning ahead is crucial, there’s also such a thing as starting too early. Pricing for materials—like cabinetry, tile, and fixtures—can change several times a year. Labor costs can shift too, depending on market demand and availability.

If you start design work too far in advance and hold off signing your contract, your project proposal might need to be updated later to reflect new costs.

At Made New Home Services, we recommend beginning design conversations roughly 2–6 months ahead of your desired start date, depending on project size, and moving to contract signing once your design and selections are finalized. This helps lock in your spot on the schedule and protect your budget from pricing changes.

What to Expect When You Contact a Contractor

When you reach out to a remodeler like Made New Home Services, the process typically begins with a phone consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, timeline, and budget expectations to determine if we’re the right fit for your project.

From there, we’ll schedule an in-home consultation to gather measurements, review design possibilities, and outline your project scope. After that comes the design and planning phase, which includes:

• Space planning and layout development

• Cabinet, tile, fixture, and finish selections

• Detailed proposal and timeline creation

• Contract signing to secure your spot on the schedule

The more decisive you can be in this stage—especially around materials and finishes—the more smoothly your remodel will move forward.

Plan Ahead, But Don’t Wait Too Long

In short, here’s a general guide for when to reach out:

Project Type	Planning & Design	Construction	Contact Contractor
Kitchen Remodel	4–8 weeks	6–10 weeks	3–6 months before start
Bathroom Remodel	2–4 weeks	4–6 weeks	2–4 months before start
Basement Remodel	4–6 weeks	8–12 weeks	4–6 months before start

Planning ahead gives you more time to make decisions, refine your vision, and avoid rushed selections—but signing the contract once you’re ready helps ensure your pricing and schedule stay consistent.

Remodeling in Johnson County or the Kansas City Metro?

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or basement in Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Prairie Village, or surrounding Kansas City suburbs, now is the perfect time to start planning.

At Made New Home Services, we specialize in thoughtful, high-end remodels that enhance how you live in your home. From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, we guide you through every step with professionalism, transparency, and care.

Start your planning process today—before your ideal construction window fills up—and let’s make your home made new.