With the harshest and longest winter months coming up, building a home is probably not the first thing on anyone’s mind at the moment. However, after years of dreaming about your dream custom home, the thought of waiting several more months for spring to come along might simply be unbearable.
Contrary to popular belief, building a house in the winter is completely possible, though it does come with some obvious challenges.
Whether your contractor is on a tight schedule and can only build for you during the winter, or whether you simply MUST finish your dream home on the shortest possible timeline, below we offer an in-depth look at the pros and cons that come with building a home in the winter.
Can You Build a Home in the Winter? A Few Obvious Challenges
The short answer to the question posed above is yes, it is possible to build a home in winter, even in the harshest winter climates such as those that we experience in Western New York!
However, there are a few seasonal challenges that need to be taken into consideration, including:
- Shorter days often lead to longer build times.
The winter months obviously come with fewer hours of daylight. This translates into less time on the job site, as construction crews have less daylight to work with daily. Also, extreme cold fronts and weeklong snowstorms can also interrupt progress on the build.
- Digging a foundation in a frozen ground is challenging work.
During the winter months, the frozen ground can also pose a serious challenge to work crews. If you’re just getting started with the build during the most severe winter months, foundation construction will require the use of ground heaters and blankets to keep the ground warm enough for excavation and concrete work. This not only slows down the process of digging and laying the foundation but also may increase the overall cost of building.
- Access to the work site can be tricky during inclement weather.
If your custom home site doesn’t have a nicely paved driveway, winter weather can also make it hard for work crews and heavy machinery to make it to your build site.
- Potential for higher costs.
Lastly, the combination of longer build times and sending workers out to work in extreme weather may also translate into higher labor costs in the end.
A Few Positives for Winter Home Construction
Despite the challenges and obstacles outlined above, building a home in the winter months also comes with a few advantages:
For starters, most construction crews will have less work to do during the winter and this can translate into more personalized and attentive service during the build.
Secondly, protecting the unfinished structure from snow is actually much easier than with rain. In many cases, winter home builds may suffer from fewer moisture issues due to the dryness of the winter air and the lack of rain.
Lastly, getting your house finished on time, even if it leads to higher construction costs in the winter months, may actually save you money. Prolonging a build comes with a lot of extra costs, and it’s often cheaper to finish the build as quickly as possible rather than waiting for several months until the warmer spring temperatures arrive.
Start Your Home Construction in Any Season with Natale Builders
When exactly is the best month for house construction? The answer to that question will depend on several different factors, from the availability of your chosen contractor to the type of home you’re building.
Natale Builders is a leading custom home builder specializing in helping homeowners in Western New York plan and build a home that will last a lifetime and beyond.
We have over 50 years of experience in building custom homes in all seasons, and we’re proud to be an industry leader in Energy Star and Green Build designs for homes and neighborhoods in Western New York.
Contact Natale Builders today to get started planning the construction of your new custom home!
