ᐅ Building Stone by Stone – Is Starting Construction in November Risky?

EveundGerd schrieb:
We started excavating the foundation pit last year on November 18. By Christmas, the roof frame was protected from snow and rain. However, the Rhineland is usually a bit warmer, and last winter didn’t have many truly cold days.

This year, I’m looking forward to spending Christmas in the new house. Kicking back and remembering how exciting this time was for us last year.

I wish you all lots of success, fun, and good craftsmen.

We started today. I hope we can follow your example.

It was exciting and beautiful! *dream*

Good that it's over now.

For us, it all started on Friday as well... I'm curious to see how things will progress and hope that this year (even as a winter sports enthusiast) the winter will be mild or absent.

We are expecting a sudden drop in temperature and snowfall starting next week – including snow down to 500 m (1,640 ft). We are situated at 550 m (1,805 ft).

Hello,

As far as I know, many construction companies are still starting building now – so it is theoretically possible.

I wouldn’t do it for the following reasons:
1. According to the weather forecast, we should already have below-freezing temperatures here in Berlin/Brandenburg in two weeks
- I would be concerned about pouring the foundation slab during frost. I can’t imagine that doesn’t carry some risk. And the foundation slab is very, very important for the house. If something goes wrong there, that could be a major problem...
2. It’s also not ideal if all the moisture gets inside the house. If you start building now, be glad if you have a roof by December. The windows probably won’t be installed anymore. But if that doesn’t work out, your building will be exposed to the entire weather from December until February/March...

When would I still build now:
1. If you likely won’t have below-freezing temperatures while the foundation slab cures
2. If you manage to get your house “weather-tight” (windows, roof) before the onset of bad and cold weather.

Another option:
You could pour the foundation slab this year and do the rest next year.

I am not a specialist in this field. However, I would definitely recommend contacting a construction expert to discuss this topic. Many will probably provide such advice free of charge.

matthias84 schrieb:
Another option would be:
You could pour the foundation slab this year and complete the rest next year.

That’s what our neighbors are doing; their excavators arrived just yesterday.