Renovating Before CNY or Raya 2027? Your Timeline and Storage Plan

November is when many Malaysian households start calling contractors, hoping to welcome family into a refreshed home for Chinese New Year or Hari Raya. In 2027, both festivals fall close together, and the months before them include year-end holidays, the monsoon and a busy period for contractors. Our guide to storage during home renovation covers storage in general, and our furniture storage guide explains how to protect larger pieces; this guide focuses on getting the timing right for 2027. 

Below, you'll find the key dates between now and Raya, the approvals to check before work starts, how the monsoon affects renovation schedules, a timeline from planning to move-back, and a practical storage plan for your furniture and belongings. We also cover what to do if your renovation won't be finished in time. 

Every renovation is different. The size of the job, the type of property, your contractor's availability and the approvals you need all affect how long works take, so treat the timeline here as a planning framework, not a promise. Always agree a written schedule with your contractor. 

Can You Still Renovate Before CNY or Raya 2027? 

For many households, yes, but the timing needs care. Chinese New Year falls early in 2027, on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri follows about five weeks later, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 March, according to the government's official 2027 public holiday schedule. Ramadan falls between the two. 

If you celebrate CNY, you have around three months from early November, minus the year-end holidays. If you're preparing for Raya, you have a little longer, but your renovation would need to finish before the busy weeks of Ramadan preparation. Households hosting both celebrations, and visiting family for both, may want everything done before CNY. Others may prefer a later, less rushed finish before Raya, especially if the scope is large, or approvals are still pending. 

Smaller jobs, such as painting, new flooring, kitchen cabinets or bathroom refreshing, can often fit comfortably within that window. A full renovation with hacking, rewiring, plumbing, tiling and custom carpentry is much tighter, especially if approvals take time, or your contractor already has other pre-festive projects. If your scope is large, discuss early whether everything can realistically be finished, or whether some work should be phased. 

The type of home matters, too. Renovations in condos and apartments usually involve management approval, lift bookings, and stricter working hours, which can add time. Landed homes may need council approval for structural or external works but often have more flexibility for deliveries and debris removal. Factor both into your timeline. 

Key Dates Between Now and Raya 

These are the main dates that affect renovation schedules, based on the official 2027 federal public holiday schedule published by the Prime Minister's Department. Some holidays apply only in certain states, and Islamic holidays are subject to official announcements, so always check the dates for your own state. 

Dates from JPM's 2027 public holiday schedule and related announcements. Islamic holidays depend on official moon-sighting announcements. Check out your state list. 

Chinese New Year 2027 

CNY falls on a weekend in 2027, and because the second day is a Sunday, a replacement holiday applies in many states; check the official list for yours. In practice, many contractors and workers take time off before and after CNY, so the effective break is often longer than the public holiday itself. If you want your home ready for CNY, plan to finish by the end of January, leaving time for cleaning and moving back. 

Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2027 

Ramadan is expected to begin in early February 2027, shortly after CNY, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on 10 and 11 March, subject to the official announcement. If you're preparing for Raya, aim to finish works before the final weeks of Ramadan, when many households are busy with preparations and many workers travel home. Ask your contractor how their team's schedule may change during Ramadan, so there are no surprises. 

Year-end and state holidays 

Christmas and New Year fall within the planning window, and many suppliers slow down over the year-end period. State holidays also vary: Federal Territory Day on 1 February applies in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, for example. Our guide to Malaysia's public holidays helps you plan around them. 

Renovation Rules to Check First 

Malaysia doesn't have a single set of renovation rules for every home. What applies depends on whether you live in a strata property or a landed home, and on your local council. 

Condos and apartments: management approval 

If you live in a condominium, apartment or other strata property, you'll usually need written approval from your Joint Management Body (JMB) or Management Corporation (MC) before any renovation starts, under the by-laws that apply to strata properties. Most buildings have their own renovation form and house rules, which typically cover permitted working hours, a refundable renovation deposit, lift booking for materials and debris, waterproofing requirements for wet areas, and restrictions on altering common property or the building's exterior. 

Approval can take time, so submit your renovation form early, ideally as soon as your contractor has confirmed the scope. Ask the management office how long approval usually takes, what documents they need, and whether there are any restrictions on works during the festive season. 

Lift bookings and debris removal are often where condo renovations get delayed. Ask the management how far ahead you need to book the service lift for deliveries and debris, where debris must be placed, and whether there are restrictions on the size of items that can be moved through the lobby. 

Landed homes and local council permits 

For landed homes, and for structural, external or layout-changing works in any property, you may need approval from your local council, such as DBKL in Kuala Lumpur or the relevant majlis in Selangor. Minor cosmetic works, such as painting or replacing kitchen cabinets, often don't need council approval, but works that affect the structure, add built-up area or change the outside of the building usually do. Check with your council or ask your contractor which approvals your works need, and allow time for them in your schedule. 

Working hours and neighbours 

Working hours are usually set by your building's house rules or local council guidelines, and noisy works such as hacking are often restricted to weekday daytime hours, with no work on Sundays or public holidays. Let your neighbours know when works will start and how long they'll last, especially if you share walls or a corridor. Courtesy goes a long way when the drilling starts at 9am. 

A short note or message to neighbours with the start date, expected duration and your contact number is often appreciated, and it gives them a way to reach you rather than the management if anything goes wrong. 

Before You Call a Contractor 

A clear brief saves time every week of counts. Before you contact contractors, decide what you want to change and what matters most. List the rooms involved and the works you have in mind, such as new flooring, a kitchen upgrade or a bathroom refresh, and separate the must-haves for the festive season from the nice-to-haves that could wait. 

Set a budget range and a target completion date and share both with every contractor you speak to. Ask how long each phase is likely to take, which items have long lead times, how many other projects they're running before CNY and Raya, and who will handle approvals. Get the scope, schedule, payment terms, and warranty in writing before work starts.

Choosing a Contractor During Peak Season 

The months before CNY and Raya are among the busiest of the year for renovation contractors. Many are juggling several projects with the same deadline, so it's worth asking a few more questions before you sign. 

Ask how many projects the contractor is running before the festive season and whether they have the team to meet your timeline. Find out whether their workers will take leave around CNY or Raya, and how that affects your schedule. Ask how they'll handle delays caused by rain, late deliveries or approvals, and how they'll keep you updated, such as through weekly progress photos or a shared message group. 

Agree payment milestones linked to completed stages rather than dates, so payments match progress. Keep copies of all agreements, approvals and receipts together, and photograph your home before works begin, so you have a clear record if any questions arise later. 

Our tips for a hassle-free home renovation in Kuala Lumpur cover choosing and working with contractors in more detail.

Planning Around the Monsoon 

The northeast monsoon adds another layer to the timeline. According to MetMalaysia, as reported by Bernama, the 2026/2027 monsoon runs from late October to March, with three to five episodes of continuous heavy rain expected between November and January. Even in the Klang Valley, heavy afternoon storms are common at this time of year. 

Rain affects renovation in several ways. Wet works, such as screeding, waterproofing and tiling, can take longer to dry and cure in humid weather. Deliveries of materials can be delayed, and outdoor or external works, such as roofing or painting exterior walls, may need to wait for dry days. Ask your contractor to schedule weather-sensitive works with a buffer, and plan indoor works for the wettest weeks where possible. 

Protect your belongings from the weather too. Furniture and boxes left on a porch or in a corridor during works can be damaged by rain, which is another reason to move them into storage before works begin.

A Timeline to CNY or Raya 

This timeline shows one way to plan a renovation aiming to finish before CNY, with a later option for Raya. The durations are illustrative; your contractor's written schedule should set the actual dates. 

Planning and approvals 

The first few weeks are about decisions and paperwork rather than dust. Finalise the design, confirm materials and fittings, and submit your management or council applications. Use this time to book storage and plan where you'll stay if you need to move out during the noisiest weeks. 

Demolition and wet works 

Once approvals are in place, demolition and services usually come first, followed by wet works such as screeding, waterproofing and tiling. These need drying time, which can be longer in humid, rainy weather, so starting them before December gives you a buffer before the year-end break. 

Electrical and plumbing works should be completed and tested before tiling and carpentry close up walls and floors. Ask your contractor to confirm that licensed tradespeople handle these works and that everything is tested before the next phase begins. 

Carpentry, finishing and handover 

Carpentry and installation usually run through December and January. Custom built-ins can take weeks to fabricate, so confirm production dates early. Finishing works, such as painting, lighting and fittings, come last, followed by a final clean and defects check. For CNY, aim to complete the handover by late January; for Raya, by mid-February. 

Your Storage Plan 

Renovation dust gets everywhere, and furniture left in the home is easily scratched, stained or damaged. Moving belongings out before works begin protects them and gives your contractor room to work, which can help the schedule. 

What to move out and when 

Move furniture and belongings out before demolition starts, since hacking and removal create the most dust and noise. Start with large furniture and anything fragile, then move boxed items. Keep a small set of essentials with you, such as clothes, documents and daily-use items, if you're staying elsewhere. Pack a separate box of essentials you'll need on move-back day, such as bedding, towels and basic kitchen items. If you're only renovating part of the home, move items out of nearby rooms too, since fine dust travels further than people expect. 

Don't forget appliances. Washing machines, fridges and other appliances in the work area may need to be disconnected and moved. If they go into storage, make sure they're cleaned, completely dry and left with doors slightly open. 

Choosing a unit size and location 

Use StorHub's size recommender or visual size estimator to choose a unit, based on a list of what you're moving. StorHub's units range from compact 12 sq ft lockers to 1,000 sq ft, storage periods start from one month, and you can adjust your unit size up or down from month to month, with no security deposit or prepayment. Choose a facility close to home, so trips are quick; StorHub has facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Ipoh, Petaling Jaya, Old Klang Road and Seri Kembangan. 

StorHub facilities offer 24-hour access with a unique PIN code, which helps if you need to collect something outside office hours during the works. Free trolleys are available at trolley bays, and StorHub Jalan Ipoh's facility page notes exclusive lift access near the loading area, which makes moving furniture easier. 

Packing and protecting furniture 

Clean and dry furniture before it goes into storage, and wrap it in breathable covers rather than sealed plastic, which can trap moisture in Malaysia's humid climate. Dismantle bed frames and tables where you can, and keep screws in labelled bags taped to each piece. Our dos and don'ts of self storage and bedding storage guide cover packing in more detail, and StorHub sells packaging materials including boxes and bubble wrap. 

Label boxes by the room they'll return to, and keep a simple list of what's in storage. When the works finish, you'll know exactly what to bring back first. 

Visiting your unit during works 

During a renovation, you may need to collect items from storage, such as seasonal clothes, documents or school supplies for the new term. Keep the things you're most likely to need near the front of the unit, and keep a list of what's in each box so you can find things quickly. With 24/7 PIN access, you can drop by in the evening or at the weekend without waiting for office hours. 

Budgeting for storage 

Include storage in your renovation budget from the start. Estimate how many months you'll need, allowing a buffer in case works overrun, and check current promotions when you book. Consider storage insurance for your belongings. Because StorHub's storage is month-to-month, you only pay for the time you actually need. 

Compare the cost of storage with the alternatives, such as squeezing furniture into one room and risking damage, or asking family to keep things for you. For most households, a few months of storage is a small part of the overall renovation budget, and it protects furniture that would be expensive to replace. 

What Not to Store 

Renovations produce materials that don't belong in a storage unit. StorHub Malaysia's renovation guidance notes that materials such as cement, tile adhesive, paint, solvents and tools containing fuel aren't allowed, and its general storage guidance rules out flammable liquids and gases, hazardous chemicals, and food and perishables. Fire safety in Malaysian buildings is overseen by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba), and keeping flammable materials out of storage is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk. 

Keep jewellery, cash, important documents and irreplaceable heirlooms with you or with family during the renovation, rather than in a storage unit or a home full of contractors. 

If you're unsure whether a particular item can be stored, ask the StorHub team before you bring it in. It only takes a quick call or WhatsApp message, and it avoids having to take items back home on moving day.

Living at Home During Renovation 

Some households stay at home during works, especially if only part of the home is being renovated. If you do, plan around the noisiest phases, which usually happen at the start. Seal off rooms that aren't being worked on, cover vents and electronics, and clean regularly to keep dust under control. 

Keep children, older family members and pets away from the work areas, and agree with your contractor where tools and materials will be kept at the end of each day. If the noisiest weeks fall during the school holidays, consider staying with family for part of that time. 

The year-end school holidays, from early December, mean children may be at home during the works. Plan quiet areas and activities away from the work areas, and keep tools, materials and debris well out of reach. 

Moving Back In Before the Festivities 

Aim to finish with time to spare before CNY or Raya. Leave at least a few days for a thorough clean, since renovation dust can linger long after the contractors leave, and for defects check with your contractor. Test taps, switches, doors and fittings, and photograph anything that needs attention. 

Cleaning after a renovation takes longer than normal cleaning. Vacuum and wipe down every surface, including inside cabinets and drawers, clean air-conditioner filters, and mop floors more than once. Running fans or air-conditioning helps clear the last of the dust before furniture comes back. 

Bring furniture back in a sensible order: large items first, then boxes by room. If you're keeping some items in storage a little longer, such as seasonal décor or furniture you no longer need, our festive storage hacks and CNY spring-cleaning guide help you get the home ready for visitors. 

If Your Renovation Won't Finish in Time 

Sometimes the timeline simply doesn't work. If your contractor can't commit to finishing before CNY, consider whether Raya is a more realistic target, or phase out the works: finish the most important areas, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, first, and schedule the rest after the festivities. 

If works will run past the festive season, plan where you'll celebrate and how you'll host visitors, and keep your belongings in storage until the renovation is complete. With month-to-month terms, you can extend your storage without committing to a long term. 

Whatever you decide, decide early. Letting your contractor to know your priorities in November gives them the best chance of meeting your deadline and gives you time to make other plans for the festive season if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions 

More answers on StorHub's FAQ page → or WhatsApp us → 

Q: Can I finish renovating before CNY or Raya 2027? 

A:  It depends on the size of the job, the approvals you need and your contractor's schedule. CNY falls on 6 and 7 February 2027 and Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 10 and 11 March, subject to the official announcement. Start planning in November, agree a written schedule, and consider phasing larger jobs. 

Q: Do I need approval to renovate my condo in Malaysia? 

A:  Usually, yes. Strata properties generally require written approval from the Joint Management Body or Management Corporation before renovation starts. Buildings have their own renovation forms and house rules covering working hours, deposits, lift booking and waterproofing. Structural or external works may also need local council approval. 

Q: How does the monsoon affect renovation? 

A:  MetMalaysia expected three to five episodes of continuous heavy rain between November 2026 and January 2027. Rain can slow drying of wet works such as screeding and tiling, delay deliveries and postpone external works. Ask your contractor to build in a buffer and schedule indoor works for the wettest weeks. 

Q: When should I book storage for my renovation? 

A:  Book a week or two before works start, so you can move furniture out calmly before demolition begins. November and December are busy for renovations before CNY and Raya. StorHub's storage periods start from one month, with no security deposit, and you can adjust your unit size from month to month. 

Q: Where should I store furniture during renovation? 

A:  Self storage near home keeps furniture away from dust and damage and gives your contractor room to work. Clean and dry items first, wrap them in breathable covers, dismantle what you can and label boxes by room. StorHub has five facilities across the Klang Valley with 24/7 PIN access. 

Q: Can I store renovation materials in a storage unit? 

A:  No. StorHub Malaysia's guidance notes that renovation materials such as cement, tile adhesive, paint, solvents and tools containing fuel aren't allowed, along with flammable liquids and gases, hazardous chemicals and perishables. Store furniture and household items only, and dispose of leftover materials properly. 

Q: What if my renovation runs past the festive season? 

A:  Phase the works so key areas are ready first, or move your target from CNY to Raya if that's more realistic. Plan where you'll celebrate and keep belongings in storage until the works are complete. StorHub's month-to-month terms mean you can extend your storage as needed.