Vacation or Renovation? A Summer Guide to the Dutch Construction Market (and How to Smartly Plan Your Projects for Any Season)

Summer is in full swing, the sun is encouraging us to rest, and the long-awaited holiday bonus, or vakantiegeld, has just landed in our bank accounts. For many homeowners in the Netherlands, this is a moment that brings a key dilemma: book plane tickets and enjoy the sun in southern Europe, or finally invest those funds in a dream kitchen renovation or a new bathroom? It's a question thousands of people ask themselves every year.

At Tommy's Service (www.tommysservice.nl), we understand these dilemmas perfectly. As a company deeply rooted in the realities of the Dutch construction market, we are not just contractors, but above all, partners and advisors to our clients. That's why we've prepared a comprehensive guide that will dispel myths, provide hard data, and offer practical advice. Is summer really a dead season in the construction industry? What happens to the demand for renovations after the holidays? And how can you wisely plan your work so that even the winter weather isn't an obstacle? We invite you to read on.

The "Off-Season" Myth – What Summer Really Looks Like in Dutch Construction - Vacation or Renovation

The common belief is that in July and August, the entire Dutch construction industry closes its doors and goes on a collective holiday. The key to understanding this situation is a phenomenon called bouwvak. However, its modern meaning differs significantly from its historical roots, opening up completely new possibilities for aware clients and flexible companies.

What Bouwvak Is and What It Is No Longer

Historically, bouwvak was a mandatory, three-week holiday break in the construction sector, introduced to allow manual laborers a well-deserved rest at the same time as their children's school holidays. However, in 1981, this legal obligation was abolished. Since then,  

bouwvak has only functioned as a non-binding recommendation (terugvaladvies) issued by industry organizations such as Bouwend Nederland.  

Despite the lack of obligation, many large construction companies, especially those carrying out complex projects requiring the coordination of many subcontractors, still adhere to these recommendations. The logic is simple: it's easier to halt an entire project for three weeks than to juggle the holidays of dozens of specialists, risking downtime and delays.Data shows that about 55% of general contractors in residential and commercial construction actually close down during this period. However, looking more broadly, as much as 67% of the entire construction industry continues to work.  

This distinction is crucial. It means that bouwvak has ceased to be a market barrier and has become a segmentation tool. The market has split into two parts: "traditional" companies, mainly large ones, that observe the break, and "flexible" companies, often smaller, and the self-employed (ZZP'ers), who consciously decide to work in the summer. For the client, this means one thing: they have gained a choice. The question is no longer "can you renovate in the summer?" but "which contractor should you choose?".  

For companies like Tommy's Service, which prioritize flexibility, summer becomes a period of exploiting a market niche and responding to the needs of clients who do not want to or cannot wait. However, the availability of the renovation company itself is not everything. The key becomes managing the supply chain. Even if the team is ready to work, its main material suppliers—wholesalers or manufacturers—may belong to the group that observes bouwvak. This can lead to delays due to the unavailability of key components. Therefore, a professional approach requires not only the declaration "we work in the summer" but also having a strategy to secure materials in advance. Clients planning a summer renovation should ask contractors not only about their availability but also about how they plan to manage material logistics during this specific period.  

Table 1: "Bouwvak" Dates 2024 & 2025 – Check Your Region

Region	Dates 2024	Weeks 2024	Dates 2025	Weeks 2025
North (incl. Amsterdam)	August 5 – August 23	32, 33, 34	July 28 – August 15	31, 32, 33
Midden (Central)	July 29 – August 16	31, 32, 33	August 4 – August 22	32, 33, 34
South	July 22 – August 9	30, 31, 32	July 21 – August 8	30, 31, 32
Source: Bouwend Nederland

In summary, summer has its pros: long and often sunny days are conducive to work, especially outdoor projects, and you can use your own vacation to supervise progress. The cons include potential difficulties with the availability of some materials and the fact that it is the peak season, which can affect prices.  

The Dutch Wallet in Summer: Vakantiegeld for Travel or a New Kitchen?

A key element of the summer financial puzzle in the Netherlands is vakantiegeld. This is an annual holiday bonus, legally guaranteed to every employee, amounting to 8% of the gross annual salary. It is usually paid in May or June, which provides a powerful, one-time cash injection for household budgets. For example, with gross monthly earnings of 2,500 euros, the  

vakantiegeld will be around 2,400 euros gross.  

Although the name suggests these funds are for holidays, they can actually be spent on any purpose. This means that every year in Dutch homes, a kind of "battle for the budget" takes place: an exotic trip versus an investment that will increase comfort of living and property value for years to come.  

Market data clearly shows that renovations often win this competition. An analysis by the Homedeal portal showed that spring and summer are by far the most popular months for starting renovation work in the Netherlands. In the last year, the number of renovation inquiries increased by 26%, with demand for kitchen renovations jumping by as much as 35%, and bathrooms by 17%. This is proof that  

vakantiegeld acts as a powerful catalyst for the decision to invest in a home. Psychologically, it is perceived as "extra" money that is easier to allocate to a large, one-time goal. Its payment coincides perfectly with the start of the season with favorable weather, creating ideal conditions to start work.

In the local context, especially in Amsterdam and the entire province of Noord-Holland, this trend is even stronger. This province is among the leading regions with the highest rate of renovation inquiries per capita. An additional driving force is the dynamic real estate market. In Amsterdam alone, property prices in central districts increased by 5.24% in the first quarter of 2024. Owners, seeing this growth, are eager to invest in renovations to further increase the value of their assets. At the same time, rising rents (an average of 2,041 euros for a one-bedroom apartment in the center) are prompting investors to modernize their properties to maximize rental income.  

The Calm After the Storm? What Happens to Renovation Inquiries After the Holidays?

As the summer sun slowly gives way to the autumn air and tans begin to fade, new plans are born in many minds. The period immediately after the holidays is a time when people return relaxed, with recharged batteries and a fresh perspective on their surroundings. The "holiday mode" ends, and the "planning mode" for the rest of the year begins, which often includes postponed home projects.  

This creates a second wave of demand for renovation services during the year. Instead of a single "renovation season," the market in the Netherlands is characterized by two distinct peaks in inquiries: a spring peak, driven by vakantiegeld, and an early autumn peak, motivated by post-holiday enthusiasm for change.

For clients planning a renovation in the autumn or winter, September and early October are a strategic "golden window" for contacting contractors. This allows you to get ahead of the crowd and secure a convenient spot in the calendar before others start planning their pre-Christmas and winter projects. Good construction companies arrange their work schedule for the fourth quarter and the beginning of the new year in September, and early contact gives priority in booking dates.  

It's worth being patient. The waiting time for a professionally prepared quote is usually two to three weeks, and for more complex jobs, it can extend to up to six weeks. Experience shows that it's worth asking the contractor during the site visit when you can expect the quote, and not being afraid to send a polite reminder after this period has passed. The waiting time for a quote is not only an indicator of the company's workload but also of its organization and respect for the client. If a company cannot keep its word regarding the deadline for delivering a quote, a legitimate question arises as to how it will manage deadlines during the project itself.  

After receiving the quote, you should analyze it carefully, paying particular attention to avoiding imprecise estimated items, so-called stelposten. For larger jobs, it is essential to sign a detailed contract that will protect the interests of both parties.  

Planning a Winter Renovation – A Step-by-Step Technical Guide

A winter renovation still raises concerns, but for a well-informed client and a competent contractor, it can be not so much a challenge as a strategic advantage. The common opinion of winter as a bad time for renovations means that demand is lower, which often translates into greater availability of the best professionals and potentially more favorable prices.  

The key to success, however, is strict adherence to the technological regime, especially during "wet" works such as plastering, painting, or screeding.

Technical Challenges and Professional Solutions

• Temperature and Humidity: These are the two most important parameters. The minimum temperature of the substrate and the environment for most construction chemical products is +5∘C, but the optimal conditions are a temperature in the range of 20–23∘C and air humidity between 40% and 70%. This means you should not skimp on heating in the renovated room. If necessary, professional dehumidifiers or air humidifiers should be used.  

  
  

• Ventilation: Regular, but short and intensive, ventilation is crucial. This allows for the removal of excess moisture (e.g., from drying plaster) without the risk of excessively cooling the walls, which could disrupt the material's setting process.  

  
  

• Acclimatization of Materials: All finishing materials, such as floor panels, wood, or even paint buckets, that have been transported or stored at low temperatures must undergo an acclimatization process. They should be placed in the renovated room for at least 48 hours before use so that their temperature equalizes with the ambient temperature.  

  
  

• Planning and Weather: Increasingly, extreme weather conditions, such as severe frosts or heavy rainfall, are cited by construction companies as a significant obstacle to work, especially in the first quarter of the year. A professional contractor takes this risk factor into account in the schedule and is prepared for possible, short-term downtimes.  

  
  

A winter renovation is also an excellent opportunity to implement solutions that increase the building's energy efficiency, such as additional insulation, installation of a heat pump, or solar panels. Attractive government subsidies (e.g., under the ISDE program) or special mortgage financing, so-called bouwdepot, can be obtained for many of these investments.  

Table 2: Winter Renovation – Technical Checklist

Technical Aspect	Requirement / Optimal Value	Why is it Important?
Temperature (wet works)	Minimum +5∘C, optimally 20−23∘C	Ensures proper setting and drying of plaster, paint, and adhesives.
Air Humidity	40%−70%	Too dry air causes cracking; too humid air prolongs drying time.
Ventilation	Frequent, short ventilation	Removes excess moisture without cooling down the walls.
Acclimatization of Materials	Minimum 48 hours at room temperature	Prevents deformation and damage to materials (e.g., shrinking of panels).
Drying Walls	Evenly, without localized overheating	Prevents plaster from cracking and paint discoloration.
Source: Based on

Regardless of the Season, the Key is a Good Plan and a Solid Contractor

An analysis of the Dutch renovation market shows that each season has its own specifics and creates different opportunities. Summer, contrary to myths, is not a "dead season" but a time of opportunity for those who know where to look. The post-holiday period is a "golden window" for strategic planning, and winter, with proper technical preparation, can turn out to be the most advantageous time to carry out a project.

However, the ultimate success of a renovation does not depend on the date on the calendar, but on two fundamental factors: careful planning and the choice of a reliable, trustworthy contractor. A partner who is transparent, well-organized, and has the professional knowledge to safely guide the project through all its stages, regardless of the weather outside.

Do you already have an idea for your Vacation or Renovation ? Whether you're planning it for a sunny summer or a frosty winter, it's worth starting with a conversation with an expert. Contact Tommy's Service at www.tommysservice.nl – we will be happy to discuss your project and prepare a professional, transparent quote. With us, every season is a good season for a renovation!

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