Year-End Planning: Remodeling Budgets & Design Forecasts for 2027

The end of the year is one of the best times to start thinking about a remodeling project for 2027.



For homeowners around Bellevue, IA, winter planning gives you something valuable that is often missing once spring construction season gets busy: time. Time to define the project, establish a realistic budget, compare materials, make design decisions, and get onto a contractor’s schedule before demand picks up.

That matters because remodeling projects often require much more planning than homeowners expect. Recent Houzz research found that planning periods can actually exceed the construction phase itself. Kitchen projects, for example, averaged about 9.5 months of planning compared with 5.8 months of construction.

If a new kitchen, bathroom, addition, deck, pole barn, or exterior renovation is on your 2027 wish list, now is the time to start building the plan.

Why Start Planning Your 2027 Remodel Now?

Waiting until spring to call a contractor can put you behind homeowners who started making decisions months earlier.

The early planning stage gives you time to think through questions such as:

• What parts of the house actually need improvement?
• What is the realistic budget?
• Which features are must-haves?
• Are structural changes involved?
• Will plumbing or electrical systems need to move?
• Are permits required?
• What materials fit the home and lifestyle?
• Should several projects be combined into one larger renovation?

Cummings Construction works with homeowners throughout the Bellevue area on home remodeling projects, so starting the conversation early can make it easier to develop a project scope before construction season becomes crowded.

Build the Budget Before You Build the Room

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is choosing finishes first and figuring out the budget later.

A better strategy is to establish a realistic investment range early and divide it into categories such as:

• Construction and labor
• Cabinetry
• Countertops
• Flooring
• Plumbing fixtures
• Electrical and lighting
• Windows and doors
• Appliances
• Exterior materials
• Design changes
• Unexpected conditions

Current national remodeling data shows how widely costs can vary depending on project size and scope. Houzz reported a median spend of about $55,000 for major kitchen remodels in its 2026 kitchen study, while larger kitchens had a median major-remodel spend of about $75,000. Minor kitchen projects were considerably lower, with a median around $20,000.

Those are national figures, not Bellevue quotes, but they illustrate an important point: the phrase "kitchen remodel" can describe completely different projects.

Replacing countertops and fixtures is very different from moving walls, replacing cabinetry, changing appliance locations, updating electrical systems, and installing new flooring.

Leave Room for the Unexpected

Even well-planned remodeling projects can uncover surprises once demolition begins.

Older homes may reveal outdated wiring, plumbing issues, moisture damage, structural repairs, or previous work that needs to be corrected.

Rather than spending every available dollar on visible finishes, it makes sense to leave some flexibility in the overall budget. That gives you room to handle legitimate construction issues without immediately sacrificing the features that made you want to remodel in the first place.

This is especially relevant around Bellevue and other Eastern Iowa communities where many properties have been updated multiple times over their lifespan.

Kitchens Continue to Focus on Function

Kitchen design is moving away from remodeling simply for appearance and toward making the room work better.

The 2026 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that 38% of renovating homeowners cited deterioration or dysfunction as a reason for remodeling, approaching the 41% who said they were dissatisfied with their kitchen's style.

That direction is likely to remain important heading into 2027.

Homeowners are increasingly looking for kitchens with:

• Better storage
• Larger drawers
• Pantry cabinets
• Appliance storage
• Functional islands
• Better lighting
• Durable work surfaces
• Efficient traffic flow
• More intentional appliance placement

Cummings Construction's recent kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects around Bellevue show exactly how cabinetry, islands, built-in appliances, storage, and thoughtful layouts can transform everyday spaces.

Natural Wood Is Making a Strong Return

One noticeable shift is the return of natural wood.

White kitchens are not disappearing, but homeowners are increasingly mixing white cabinetry with wood tones or choosing wood throughout the space. Houzz found that wood became the most selected cabinet color in its 2026 kitchen study, chosen by 29% of renovating homeowners compared with 28% choosing white.

For Bellevue-area homes, this can work especially well because natural wood complements both traditional Iowa homes and newer construction.

Expect continued interest going into 2027 in combinations such as:

• White upper cabinets with wood lower cabinets
• Natural wood islands
• Warm oak finishes
• Wood paired with black hardware
• Neutral quartz countertops
• Natural textures mixed with cleaner modern finishes

The goal does not need to be "trendy." A good remodel should still look appropriate five or ten years from now.

Bathrooms Are Becoming More Comfortable and Accessible

Bathrooms continue to be one of the most common remodeling projects nationally. NAHB reports that bathroom, kitchen, and whole-house renovations remain among the most frequently completed remodeling categories.

For 2027, expect practical bathroom design to remain a major focus.

That includes:

• Larger walk-in showers
• Low-threshold entries
• Built-in shower benches
• Recessed niches
• Handheld showerheads
• Double vanities
• Improved lighting
• Better storage
• Slip-resistant flooring
• Easy-to-maintain surfaces

Accessibility is also becoming part of mainstream remodeling rather than something reserved only for senior living.

NAHB reports that requests for aging-in-place features have increased substantially among remodeling customers over the past several years.

A homeowner in their 40s or 50s may not need an accessible bathroom today, but designing a shower with a low entry, adequate width, and convenient controls can make the room easier to use now while also preparing the home for the future.

Aging in Place Will Shape More 2027 Design Decisions

One of the most important remodeling trends heading toward 2027 is homeowners planning to stay where they are.

Houzz reported that nearly two-thirds of renovating homeowners expect to remain in their homes for at least another 11 years.

That changes how remodeling decisions are made.

Instead of asking only, "What will help resale value?" homeowners are increasingly asking:

"What will make this house work better for us for the next 10 or 20 years?"

That can influence everything from bathroom layouts to stairs, door widths, lighting, storage, kitchen accessibility, and first-floor living arrangements.

Whole-Home Remodeling Can Solve Multiple Problems at Once

Sometimes remodeling one room exposes problems elsewhere.

You may begin with a kitchen renovation and realize the adjoining dining room layout also needs improvement. Or a bathroom project may lead to flooring, trim, electrical, or bedroom updates.

In those cases, a coordinated home remodeling project may make more sense than tackling one disconnected room at a time.

Planning multiple improvements together can create:

• More consistent finishes
• Better traffic flow
• Fewer repeated demolition costs
• Better coordination between trades
• A more cohesive finished home

It also gives homeowners a clearer picture of the total investment before construction begins.

Exterior Projects Should Be Part of the 2027 Conversation Too

Remodeling is not limited to kitchens and bathrooms.

If your home's siding, windows, deck, or exterior doors are aging, those improvements should be evaluated when establishing your 2027 priorities.

Cummings Construction offers siding installation and window and door replacement, which can improve both appearance and building performance.

Exterior projects may deserve priority when homeowners are experiencing:

• Drafty windows
• Water intrusion
• Damaged siding
• Poor energy efficiency
• Rot around openings
• Deteriorated exterior materials

A beautiful new kitchen is great, but protecting the structure itself should come first if the exterior is allowing water or air into the home.

Decks and Outdoor Living Are Worth Planning Before Spring

Homeowners often start thinking about decks when the weather becomes warm.

That is usually later than ideal.

Planning a new deck during late fall or winter gives you time to consider the size, layout, material, railings, stairs, and overall relationship between the deck and the house before prime outdoor construction season arrives.

If a deck is part of your 2027 plan, review Cummings Construction's deck-building services and start considering how you actually want to use the space.

A deck designed for a grill and small seating area will be very different from one designed for large family gatherings, multiple seating zones, or outdoor dining.

Pole Barns and Outbuildings Benefit From Early Planning

The same principle applies to larger structures.

If 2027 is the year you finally build a workshop, equipment building, storage structure, or detached garage, early planning gives you time to work through size, doors, access, electrical needs, insulation, interior layout, and future uses.

Cummings Construction's post-frame pole barn services are designed around those kinds of custom property needs.

The company's earlier comparison of pole barns versus garages is also useful if you are still deciding which type of structure makes more sense for your property.

Design for Longevity, Not Just the Next Trend

Design forecasts are useful, but a home should not look like a catalog from one specific year.

The strongest direction going into 2027 is less about one particular color and more about long-term livability.

Expect homeowners to continue prioritizing:

• Natural materials
• Warm wood tones
• Neutral colors
• Better storage
• Low-maintenance materials
• Walk-in showers
• Accessible design
• Energy-efficient windows
• Flexible spaces
• Durable exterior products
• Smart home controls that solve real problems

These choices tend to age better because they focus on function rather than novelty.

Remodeling Demand Is Expected to Remain Strong

There is another practical reason to begin planning early.

The National Association of Home Builders expects inflation-adjusted remodeling activity to grow about 3% in 2026 and another 2% in 2027.

Recent NAHB data also showed remodeling spending remaining resilient during 2026 even while other parts of residential construction faced slower conditions.

For homeowners, the takeaway is straightforward: good contractors are unlikely to suddenly have empty calendars when spring arrives.

Early planning gives you more control over the process.

Your 2027 Remodel Should Start With a Conversation

You do not need every cabinet color, faucet, tile, and fixture selected before contacting a contractor.

You need a goal.

Maybe the kitchen is too small. Maybe the bathroom is outdated. Maybe your windows are drafty. Maybe you need additional living space, a deck, or a building for equipment and storage.

Those are enough reasons to start the planning process.

From there, the project can be shaped around your budget, priorities, property, and timeline.

Plan Your 2027 Project With Cummings Construction

If remodeling is on your list for next year, the final months of 2026 are the right time to start.

Cummings Construction works with homeowners in Bellevue, IA and surrounding communities on kitchens, bathrooms, whole-home remodeling, decks, siding, windows and doors, pole barns, and other custom construction projects.

Starting early gives you time to make better decisions, establish a realistic budget, and develop a project that fits the way you actually want to live.

The best time to build may be next year. The best time to start planning is now.