Planning a Home Renovation Around Florida's Hurricane Season

Florida’s hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. If you are planning a major renovation — especially one involving roof work, additions, or open walls — timing matters. Here is how to plan a renovation around hurricane season in Northeast Florida.

The Ideal Renovation Timeline

October-November start → April-May completion

Starting a major renovation in late fall gives you the full off-season to complete structural and exterior work before the next hurricane season. By June, your roof should be sealed, walls closed, and the project focused on interior finish work that is not weather-vulnerable.

Why this works:

• Structural work (framing, roofing, exterior) happens during lowest storm risk months
• Material deliveries are more reliable in winter (fewer weather delays)
• Contractor availability is often better in fall/winter
• Interior finish work during summer is weather-independent

What Is Safe to Do During Hurricane Season?

Low Risk (Proceed Normally)

• Interior-only renovations (kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, flooring)
• Custom interiors and built-ins
• Painting (interior and exterior)
• Any work that does not open the building envelope

Moderate Risk (Proceed with Precautions)

• Covered patio construction (can be tarped and secured if a storm approaches)
• Window and door replacement (staged so the house is never fully exposed)
• Deck construction (ground-level work with no building envelope impact)

Higher Risk (Plan Timing Carefully)

• Roof replacement or modification
• Home additions with open framing
• Second-story additions
• Any work that removes significant portions of the building envelope

How Wilson & Co Manages Storm Risk During Construction

1. Weather monitoring — We track tropical weather development from June through November and adjust scheduling when storms are projected
2. Rapid weatherproofing — Open framing can be wrapped with Tyvek and tarped within hours when a storm threatens
3. Material staging — We do not leave uninstalled materials exposed. Everything is stored protected or not delivered until installation day
4. Builder’s risk insurance — We maintain builder’s risk coverage for active construction projects
5. Communication — If a storm threatens, we communicate our protection plan to homeowners immediately

Impact Windows: A Hurricane Season Renovation That Makes Sense

If you are renovating during hurricane season, upgrading to impact windows and doors is the single best improvement you can make. Impact glazing:

• Protects against wind-borne debris (the primary cause of hurricane damage to homes)
• Is required by current Florida building code for new or replacement windows
• Qualifies for insurance wind mitigation credits (15-30% premium reduction in many cases)
• Eliminates the need for plywood or shutters during storms

Wilson & Co installs impact windows as part of many renovation projects. The insurance premium savings often offset 30-50% of the window cost over 10 years.

Start Planning Your Renovation

The best time to start planning a renovation is 2-3 months before construction begins. For fall start dates, that means summer planning. Call Wilson & Co at (904) 792-6175 to begin the conversation.