The best times of the year to tackle 6 home projects.

With skilled craftsmen more in demand than ever, it's easy to assume that the best time to work on large-scale home projects is simply whenever a good contractor is available. But the pros know that some jobs go more smoothly--and cost less--if you schedule them during a particular part of the year. For example, wood and paint are easier to work with when temperatures are moderate and humidity low. Concrete is best poured when it's damp and temps are between 50[degrees] and 80[degrees]F. Though summer weather is suitable for many projects, lots of homeowners are eager to schedule work then, so labor can be tough to corral and more expensive. Here's when to do what:

Winter

KITCHEN AND BATH REMODELING

Design and remodeling professionals often experience a lull after the mad rush to get kitchens and baths ready for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Contact them in late December and early January and they'll probably be eager to get the new year's business rolling. They may extend a discount--typically 10 percent. Even if you're not ready to start the project, making contact early will enable you to reserve in-demand dates. Since many appliances tend to go on sale late in the year, buying then can save you a few more dollars.

LANDSCAPING

Because the trees are bare and the fields are flower-free, most people don't think about greenery during the dead of winter. That's exactly why it's the best time to call a landscape architect, designer, or contractor about planning plantings or a patio. The lack of foliage also makes it easier to prune fruit trees and eradicate dormant pest plants such as poison ivy. And in areas where the ground hasn't frozen, it's easier to lay out low-voltage lighting wiring, which often need be buried only 6 inches in the ground. Check local codes for depth requirements.

Spring