When it comes to planning and executing painting and renovation projects, every industry has its own ideal timeline, based on location, operations and peak activity seasons. This is especially true in the education field. Whether you’re running a public school, private school, university or daycare, your ideal school painting and renovation timeline can vary based on a few key factors.
Below, we’ve outlined suggested timelines and strategies based on your specific industry needs.
Schools & Universities
Suggested Timeline:
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January–March: Planning & budgeting
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April–May: Site walks, scope definition, finalizing contracts
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June–August: Execution during summer break
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August–September: Final walkthroughs before student return
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Bonus Windows: Winter, February, and spring breaks are great for smaller projects
Suggested Crew Schedules:
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When school is out (summer or breaks):
Work Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Add weekend work if needed. -
When school is in session:
Schedule work before or after school, overnight, or on weekends to avoid disrupting learning.
When to Schedule Common Projects:
Over Summer Break (for major work):
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Exterior painting
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Full interior repainting (classrooms, auditoriums, libraries)
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Gym floor installations
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Bathroom remodels
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Window & door replacements
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Bleacher rebuilds
Over Shorter Breaks (for lighter work):
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Repainting a few rooms or offices
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Cafeteria refresh
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Flooring in select rooms
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Parking lot resealing & line striping (weather permitting)
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Power washing and athletic field upgrades (weather permitting)
During the School Year (if necessary):
While not ideal due to the potential for disruption, sometimes in-session work is unavoidable for:
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Emergency repairs (broken windows, door replacements)
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Safety upgrades
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Equipment installations
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Long-term additions, build-outs and new building construction might take longer than summer break and go into the school year.
Child and Daycares:
Unlike schools, daycares tend to stay busy year-round, especially during school breaks when students are at daycare instead of school. This makes planning even more critical.
Suggested Timeline
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November–February: Planning, budgeting, and site walks
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March–June: Exterior work (when weather permitting)
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July–August: Additional planning & prep
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September–December: Interior work (with possible pauses during school breaks and holidays)
Suggested Crew Schedules
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Weekend & Holiday Work:
Often the only time daycares are completely closed. Perfect for smaller jobs, and even some bigger projects you can split into phases. If you want your whole interior repainted, painting a few classrooms a weekend for a few weekends can work! -
During School Hours:
Though your daycare is still open, the bulk of your students are in schools, leaving just the little ones that do not go to school yet. This can be a great time to do some smaller projects and repairs in areas not being used until school lets out. -
After Hours:
After everyone leaves for the day, or even before they arrive, can be a great time to get some other projects done. Things like bathroom or kitchen remodels can happen overnight, with the basic needs of the space ready to use the next morning. Add in weekends as well to get the projects done faster.
When to Do Exterior Work
We suggest scheduling outdoor projects in the early spring, before school lets out. Start early in the day and aim to wrap up before the bulk of students arrive.
Important Considerations for Schools & Daycares
Every institution is different. Even when schools are “closed,” summer programming, summer school and international student residencies may still be active. Boarding schools may have some students on-site year-round. It’s essential to understand your facility’s specific needs before committing to a schedule. Also, keep in mind that your school painting and renovation timeline needs to be flexible, based on weather delays and other needs that might come up.
Why re:fab?
At re:fab, we bring over 30 years of experience in painting and remodeling education facilities of all sizes across New England and Central Florida. From daycares to universities, we know how to get the job done, on time and on budget, with minimal disruption to students and staff. Contact us today to plan your next project with a trusted, experienced team, or download our FREE Education design re:source here!
