For many homeowners, the holidays reveal a few things about how a home really works. Maybe your kitchen feels cramped while hosting, or the guest bath is screaming about an outdated era, or perhaps your home’s layout just didn’t flow the way it should. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news? Now is the perfect time to start planning your 2026 remodel.
Oxland Builders has seen it time and again: the homeowners who start planning early, during the winter months, are the ones who enjoy smoother projects, stronger designs, and construction that stays on schedule once the busy season hits. If you’re hoping to break ground this summer, your design phase should begin this winter. Starting now means you’ll move into the warmer months with plans approved, permits secured, and your project ready to roll. Here's what you need to know.
While most people are focused on holiday gatherings and winter routines, this is actually the best time of year to start planning your remodel or new build.
For Seacoast homeowners, the design-build process includes several important stages, including consultation, design, permitting, and pre-construction. Together they often span a few months before construction even begins. By getting started now, you’ll give yourself (and your builder) the breathing room to move through each phase without delays or costly surprises.
Here’s why starting your 2026 remodel planning in winter makes sense:
Design Takes Time. A strong design isn’t rushed. From early concepts to detailed layouts and material selections, the design phase can take anywhere from 6–10 weeks depending on project scope. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and additions all benefit from extra time for refinement and creative collaboration.
Permitting Can Be Slow, Especially in Spring. Towns like Rye, Stratham, and Portsmouth often experience longer wait times for building permits once the spring construction rush begins. Submitting early keeps your project moving on schedule.
Contractor Schedules Fill Quickly. Quality builders and trade partners book months in advance. By January, most design-build firms in the Seacoast region are already planning their summer timelines. The earlier you engage, the more flexibility you’ll have.
Early Planning Protects Your Budget. Starting early lets you explore costs, materials, and feasibility before making big commitments.
Once your design is complete, securing permits becomes the next critical step, and in the Seacoast region, timing is everything. Each town has its own building permit process, with unique requirements, submission schedules, and seasonal backlogs. In smaller towns, one or two-person building departments often juggle dozens of spring applications at once, which can delay approvals for weeks or even months. Here’s what homeowners in Seacoast NH and Southern Maine can generally expect:
Stratham, NH: Typically 6–8 weeks for residential permits, but reviews can extend longer during peak season (March–June).
Rye and Portsmouth, NH: More detailed plan review requirements; allow 8–12 weeks, especially for additions or full remodels.
Exeter and Greenland, NH: Quicker turnaround in winter; applications submitted early in the year often move through faster.
York and Kittery, ME: Expect up to 10 weeks for larger remodels or home additions due to coastal zoning considerations.
These timelines can vary depending on project complexity, permit type, and whether additional approvals (like zoning or historic district review) are required.
Oxland Builders handles the entire permitting process for our clients, ensuring that every drawing, specification, and form is complete before submission. Our experience across Seacoast municipalities helps streamline approvals and avoid unnecessary delays.
Once the new year begins, design-build firms across the Seacoast quickly start filling their spring and summer calendars. For large-scale remodels or custom homes, that means the earlier you connect with your builder, the smoother your experience will be. Here’s how to get ahead of the rush and secure your 2026 project slot:
Schedule a Consultation. Start with a conversation. A winter consultation gives you time to discuss your vision, explore design options, and understand the overall construction project timeline before commitments are made.
Define Your Priorities. Think about what truly matters for your home in 2026. Are you prioritizing more space for entertaining, better kitchen flow, or an updated primary suite? Knowing your goals early helps your design team build around your lifestyle, not just your floor plan.
Gather Inspiration. Collect examples of styles, layouts, and finishes you love. This makes your design discussions more efficient and ensures your team can translate your ideas into real, buildable plans.
Work With a True Design-Build Partner. A cohesive design-build firm like Oxland manages every phase from architectural planning to final construction under one roof. This collaboration reduces surprises, streamlines communication, and keeps your project timeline on track
Explore current remodeling costs in our area further with our free remodeling cost guide here.
Remodeling is your opportunity to create a home that adapts to tomorrow’s needs. When you start your design process early, you have the luxury of thinking long-term and making thoughtful choices that will serve your family for years to come.
Oxland Builders' design-build approach emphasizes planning beyond the present, so your remodel feels current now and still makes sense a decade from today. Here are a few ways to “future-proof” your 2026 remodel:
Plan for Flexibility. Open layouts, adaptable spaces, and multifunctional rooms make it easier to evolve with life’s changes, like a growing family, remote work needs, or space for guests.
Think Aging-in-Place. Even if accessibility isn’t top of mind right now, small design choices, such as wider doorways, curbless showers, and main-level primary suites, can make your home more livable and valuable over time.
Invest in Energy Efficiency. Improved insulation, high-performance windows, and smart HVAC systems reduce long-term operating costs. Energy-efficient upgrades often qualify for local rebates and add resale value.
Choose Durable, Timeless Finishes. Opt for quality materials and classic styles that won’t need replacing in a few years. A well-planned remodel balances current trends with lasting appeal.
Integrate Smart Home Technology Thoughtfully. From lighting control to whole-home monitoring, today’s connected systems can improve comfort and convenience. The key is integrating them early in design, not as an afterthought during construction.
Remodeling can feel like a big undertaking, and it’s natural to have plenty of questions before getting started. Whether you’re wondering about timing, process, or what to expect along the way, the following answers will help you plan your 2026 Seacoast remodel with confidence.
For the Seacoast NH and Southern Maine region, winter is the ideal season to begin planning, while spring and summer are the most common construction periods. Starting your design phase between December and February positions you to break ground in late spring or early summer, avoiding the seasonal bottlenecks that slow down many homeowners.
Most home remodel planning follows these stages:
Consultation: Discuss goals, budget, and project scope.
Design: Develop drawings, renderings, and material selections.
Permitting: Submit plans for town or city approval.
Pre-Construction: Finalize schedules, estimates, and logistics.
Construction: Execute the project with consistent project management and communication.
Completion & Walk-Through: Ensure every detail meets your expectations.
Remodeling timelines vary depending on size and complexity. A kitchen or bathroom remodel may take 3–4 months from design through completion, while additions or full-home renovations can take 6–9 months or more. Starting your design work early ensures construction begins as soon as conditions allow.
Not at all! It’s exactly the right time. Planning now allows for thoughtful design, smooth permitting, and early scheduling with your builder. Many homeowners who wait until spring to start lose an entire construction season because approvals and designs simply take time. Starting in winter ensures your remodel stays on track for spring or summer 2026.
A design-build approach keeps design, estimating, and construction under one roof, saving time, reducing miscommunication, and maintaining accountability from concept through completion.
Not necessarily. While exterior work may wait for milder weather, interior projects like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements can often begin during the winter months. Many homeowners choose to remodel interiors during the colder season, so their homes are ready to enjoy by summer.
Reach out to schedule a consultation with Oxland Builders. Our design-build team will help you map out your project, estimate cost, plan realistic timelines, and guide you through the next steps and every step thereafter.
Start Planning Your 2026 Remodel in Seacoast NH and Southern Maine
Your dream home starts with a conversation. If you’re ready to design a kitchen that flows, add the space your family needs, or build something entirely new, now’s the time to begin.
Contact Oxland Builders to start the conversation.