Although it might be obvious, there are some pretty good reasons in many areas for not wanting to do outside work in the winter, and that includes most construction-related jobs in the upper Midwest. However, if you can work around the worst of the weather, there are also some financial and scheduling benefits to be had with winter work.
It all depends on the job and the winter — and it depends partly on how you plan for it!
Let’s Analyze It:
Pro: Dry winter weather is better than rainy spring!
Advance planning, with a bit of luck thrown into the mix, is the best way to approach any “off-season” midwest home addition or remodel project. Any construction around your own home is apt to be a bit disruptive to normal routines. But if your plans are finalized before the freeze, chances are good that when spring arrives you will be able to look at your completed addition with pride. Sunny winter days, if the weather is brisk but dry, can actually be more productive on a job site than those humid, rainy weeks of early spring.
Con: So many decision during a busy holiday season!
There are oodles of decisions to be made and items to consider when you plan an addition. Financing costs, completion of plans and specifications, building permits, availability of specialty contractors, selection, ordering and delivery of materials — and all have an effect on the construction timeline. A glitch in any area can mean that a part or all of your construction project will be ongoing during the winter months.
But that’s not all bad news.
Pro: Technology allows special advancements.
Technology has made it possible to work right through all but the worst winters; today, with special additives and modern methods, it’s possible to pour a foundation even when snowflakes are falling, without sacrificing efficiency or the integrity of the cured concrete. With proper clothing and portable heating, even framing and roofing are no problem on clear winter days.
Con: Slow season = longer lead times for material.
Because winter is a slower season, you might face longer lead times for some materials, but delivery schedules are also apt to be more precise because it is a slower time.
Pro: Contractors are less ‘busy’.
Contractors are generally not as busy during the winter, resulting in a tighter timeline for completion. Project duration can often be compressed, with individual trades completing specific work in orderly fashion.
Finally, for anyone in the construction trades, working is better than not working.
Pro and Con: Less busy might equal lower prices, BUT shorter days and winter weather could extend your project timeline.
During the winter season, contractors might be willing to negotiate lower prices in order to keep crews busy. The flip side, however, is that working in the cold may come at a premium due to shorter work days, the uncertainties of weather and associated challenges of cold-weather building. Additives for concrete, tenting and portable heaters, frequent warming breaks for workers, and additional protection for tools and stored materials add extra dollars.
Maximizing Your Construction Dollars
Spend the necessary time upfront to finalize your plans — both the blueprints and the time schedule — before you give the nod for construction. Weigh your options carefully, but don’t shy away from a project just because you have turned a calendar page. Alexander Lumber is ready to deliver the building materials you and your contractor need for a Midwest home addition, whether it’s January or June.
As a full-service local supplier of construction materials with locations throughout Illinois as well as in Wisconsin and Iowa, we have the windows, doors, insulation and roofing designed to keep the chill out.
We stand ready to help you complete your addition according to the schedule that you demand.
We know that if you choose “winter work,” you and your family will greet the arrival of spring with new enthusiasm as well as new living space! Why not let us help you get that addition started?
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