Why Winter 2025 Might Be Brutal for Home Improvements

If you're planning to renovate or extend your home before spring 2026, Winter 2025 may bring more disruption than usual. With construction resources tightening and energy bills rising, homeowners could face serious delays and budget overruns.

This article explores five key reasons why the winter season will pose unique challenges and how Barry Turner & Son helps clients prepare.

1. Construction Labour Will Be in Short Supply

Winter is always a quieter season for trades, but 2025 is expected to be especially tough. Many tradespeople take extended holidays, while others shift their focus to emergency repairs or indoor-only work due to weather constraints.

Add to this an ongoing labour shortage in the UK construction sector, which the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says remains one of the biggest barriers to project delivery. With older tradesmen retiring and fewer young entrants, delays in small to mid-size builds are likely.

Why it matters: Expect longer lead times and higher labour costs if you don't book early.

2. Material Prices Are Expected to Rise Again

While 2024 saw some relief in material inflation, new forecasts suggest that Winter 2025 could bring fresh cost pressures. Transport disruptions from icy conditions, plus energy costs for manufacturers, typically drive prices up for:

• Cement

• Plaster and insulation

• Timber and cladding

• Roofing membranes and fixings

According to Build UK, some suppliers are already warning of seasonal surcharges as energy tariffs spike.

Why it matters: A project that looks affordable now could creep beyond your budget come January.

3. Planning Approvals Are Still Catching Up

The effects of slowed planning departments in 2023–24 are still echoing. As reported by Letting Agent Today, planning consents for home improvements dropped to a 10-year low in early 2025.

With backlogs still clearing, you may struggle to get decisions processed quickly before year-end. Add in winter staff shortages and extended holidays at councils and the risk of delays grows.

Why it matters: Even if you're ready to start, approvals might not arrive until spring.

4. Energy Costs Will Strain Household Budgets

The average UK household is already spending more on heating and electricity. Ofgem is due to review the price cap again in late 2025, and analysts expect modest increases due to higher winter demand.

For homeowners budgeting for renovations, this means less flexibility and a greater need to prioritise upgrades that improve energy efficiency, such as insulation or window replacements.

Why it matters: If you don't plan smartly, rising bills could delay your dream extension.

5. Weather-Related Site Disruptions

Winter always brings site slowdowns: frozen pipes, snowed-in deliveries, reduced daylight hours and wet surfaces that delay brickwork and roofing.

In Winter 2025, long-range forecasts from the UK Met Office suggest colder-than-average temperatures and higher snowfall likelihood in southern England.

Why it matters: Even well-organised projects can suffer 2–3 week delays due to uncontrollable weather.

How to Prepare for a Harsh Season

Renovating in winter isn't impossible — but it does require better planning. Here's what we recommend:

• Book contractors before October

• Prioritise indoor works or weatherproof projects

• Use reputable suppliers for materials

• Apply for planning as early as possible

• Build a 10–15% contingency for delays

At Barry Turner & Son, we offer phased renovation planning and winter-resilient scheduling so your project can move forward despite the cold.

Worried Winter Will Derail Your Renovation? Contact Barry Turner & Son today for a winter-ready plan that keeps your project moving — rain, snow or shine.