ᐅ Building a House in Winter: Is It a Problem? Your Experiences

Hello everyone,
our construction started at the end of October 2017. Work continued until November 30, 2017, and the basement was completed, including the sewage system and so on. On December 1, 2017, we received a letter from our general contractor stating that due to weather conditions, no masonry or concrete work could be carried out. Since then, there has been no activity on the site. Over the past two weeks, nighttime temperatures have been above 5°C (41°F), so I thought work would continue, but unfortunately that has not been the case. According to the construction manager, the temperature must remain above 10°C (50°F) for a whole week before masonry work on the basement ceiling can proceed! If that’s really the case, nothing will move forward before April, which I find hard to believe... In my opinion, the structural builder has laid off all their masons and currently has no staff available, but I cannot prove this. Have you had similar experiences?

Best regards

Our project started in mid-October, but without a basement.
At the moment, the shell including the roof structure and roof covering is completed.
Windows and front door are installed.
The rough-in for electrical and plumbing is finished.
The plasterers will complete the interior this week.
The vapor barrier is installed.
The drywall framework for the ceiling is fixed in place.
The screed will be done the week after next.

I have to mention that they also took a three-week break over Christmas, and on the very cold days, the roofer didn’t work on the roof.
But with the temperatures in the last two weeks, they could have done some masonry at your place.
When doing masonry or working with mortar, the minimum temperature must be 5°C (41°F).
Ultimately, though, the site manager has to make the decision. The company needs to guarantee the quality.

These houses were both started only in December. Karsten

That is a cheap excuse! As long as the water in the bucket does not freeze, masonry work can be carried out.

Nordlys schrieb:
Both of these houses were only started in December. Karsten

Amazing... that really overwhelms me. [emoji52]

tomtom79 schrieb:
That’s a cheap excuse! As long as the water in the bucket doesn’t freeze, masonry work can be done.

I was told up to 5°C (41°F). But even that was met.
I have several theories about what the real reason might be:
1. The shell builder laid off his workers over the winter months.
2. The shell builder has “more important” projects to work on.
3. The extra costs or effort required for winter construction are not covered by the general contractor. (Covering the top of the walls, concrete is more expensive in winter)

I will probably never find out the full truth.