Can You Build a Home in the Winter?

Yes, You can Build a Home in the Winter

In the southern states home construction takes place year round. There are no worries that it will be too cold or there will be too much snow. In the northern states the old mindset was that you don’t build homes in the winter. If you can’t get the roof on before the first snow fall then you have to wait until spring. Today, with new technologies, new products, and improved construction methods winter doesn’t mean you have to wait for your new home.

Winter Weather Impacts

Practically everyone on a home site can work in all but the worst conditions. Winter does have its obstacles. With outdoor construction work crews tend to not work as fast in the cold, extra clothing needed can slow them down. There is less daylight to work in. Unfinished homes aren’t heated requiring temporary heating to complete drywall, install flooring, protect water pipes, and to finalize interior finishes. Shingles won’t fully adhere until the weather is warmer.

When it comes to foundations, additives such as calcium chloride can be added to the concrete mix to accelerate the curing process in colder weather. In comparison, concrete with additives is not significantly different in strength as concrete without additives when fully cured. Concrete foundation walls with additives in the mixture must meet the required building code. In some cases, temperatures can be so cold that pouring concrete isn’t feasible. However, in most cases, insulating freshly poured concrete floors with concrete blankets or straw can protect concrete during a cold snap.

Related: IF YOU THINK OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION IS RISKY, TRY TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION

When building onsite, once the home is under roof and windows and door are installed, work can continue relatively unencumbered from outside weather and temperatures. Some subcontractors can actually quote lower prices to keep work during what may be a slower time for their businesses. However, as is typically with onsite construction, the process is linear. This means that you can’t start building the home until the foundation is completed. What this also means is that your home and your budget is exposed to more risk because the complete construction process takes place outdoors. This makes the complete process susceptible to potential winter weather delays.

Modular Makes it Better

While it is true that there are some additional expenses to account for to get a project completed in the winter, when compared to total cost of the new home they are relatively low. One thing that many fail to take into account that aren’t in the home construction business is that suppliers tend to implement price increases in late spring. Many of these increases can be significant, in the 5-7% range. Many times these price increases can easily exceed any increased costs when building in the winter.

Combining modular construction with winter building just makes sense. By taking weather out of the equation, homebuyers have a much better chance of completing their homes sooner and beating those late spring price increases. Modular construction takes place indoors. It is also taking place at the exact same time as the site excavation and foundation construction is taking place. There are no delays due to snow or extreme cold. Work doesn’t slow down because workers are cold or have to wear additional protective clothing. Finishes can be completed without the cost of temporary heat. Snow isn’t laying and melting on floors or in the wall cavities of your new home.

A modular home is built indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. It is always summer in the factory. You can be assured that the same high quality is achieved year round when constructing your home. In fact, even the same cost efficiencies of modular construction apply year round, there are no penalties for the modular portion of your new homes construction when building in winter. Don’t let winter dictate when you can begin building your new custom home. Modular makes it better when building in the winter.