Many people, when considering when to build their homes, decide against winter for a variety of reasons. The frozen ground, the cold temperatures, and the snow are all reasons to not build during this time. However, there are technologies that can help avoid those issues, and in many cases, these issues can result in a stronger home that is more quickly complete. Here are three things to keep in mind while building a home during the winter.
Less Competition
There are some advantages to building a house during the winter. With fewer people building during that time, there are more contractors available to choose from. This means that there are more skilled craftsmen and builders available to work on the house. As a result, it will get done faster. Additionally, with fewer people building, there are fewer people applying for building and work permits at the local level. Because of this, these permits will be approved much faster than they are during spring and summer, when more people are building.
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Have Heat
As with all people, construction crews and contractors work best when they are warm. Depending on the work that is being done, there are several different options for heat. Some products can help thaw the ground to make pouring the concrete possible, while others are heaters to maintain good working conditions for the workers. If the workers are happy and warm, the quality of their work is going to be higher. Having direct or indirect fired heaters can make a world of difference. Direct heaters are portable and lightweight, though they also require a proper ventilation system. Indirect heaters are similar to furnaces, and are better to use in smaller spaces. Owners should talk to their contractor about the type of heater that he or she recommends for the specific project.
Additionally, you can seek help over at 2-10 HBW for information on home warranty options and coverage for your appliance and systems. Doing so will ensure that you have the necessary protection and support in case of any unforeseen issues or breakdowns with your systems.
Access
It is also critical to make sure that the worksite is accessible. While more heavy equipment can do wonders in construction, these machines do not always work well when in contact with ice. When working on a site in the winter, there needs to be a set agreement about who is responsible for snow removal. The roads should be plowed and sanded, to prevent a large truck from going off the road. This can prove costly and cause more problems, so keeping the road sanded and clear is a good investment. Some people recommend giving the contractor a certain amount of money per inch of snow, to keep that issue under control.
While there are many advantages to building a home in the winter, there are also some things that need to be taken into consideration. The work space will need to be heated and cleared of snow, and there may be some unforeseen expenses if this is not done. Overall, however, when it comes to building a house, as long as the contractor and the owner have a plan and know how they will deal with things like snow and a cold snap, there is no reason that a house can’t be built in the winter.
Images by Lise Bjelland – Sirdalen Cabin by Filter Arkitekter
