Hello everyone!
Does it make sense to start a new build in mid to late October, or is it better to begin early in the spring? I know it depends on the weather, and the argument that the shell can dry out over the winter speaks in favor of autumn. However, if an early winter arrives again, in my opinion, it will be quite tight. It will be a solid construction without a basement. Maybe some of you have experience and can share it with me. Thank you!
Does it make sense to start a new build in mid to late October, or is it better to begin early in the spring? I know it depends on the weather, and the argument that the shell can dry out over the winter speaks in favor of autumn. However, if an early winter arrives again, in my opinion, it will be quite tight. It will be a solid construction without a basement. Maybe some of you have experience and can share it with me. Thank you!
Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
In summer, the schedule often changes because contractors are fully booked.
In winter, most contractors have more availability.
Depending on the construction company and the size of the project, building the shell without a basement can be completed quite quickly.
The roof structure and tiles, or insulation and roofing felt, can also mostly be finished within a few weeks.
Interior fit-out progresses slowly in both cases.
In winter, it gets dark and uncomfortable quite early, so most homeowners limit their own work, at least on the exterior.
In summer, the schedule often changes because contractors are fully booked.
In winter, most contractors have more availability.
Depending on the construction company and the size of the project, building the shell without a basement can be completed quite quickly.
The roof structure and tiles, or insulation and roofing felt, can also mostly be finished within a few weeks.
Interior fit-out progresses slowly in both cases.
In winter, it gets dark and uncomfortable quite early, so most homeowners limit their own work, at least on the exterior.
Hello Bayer, we started building our solid house in mid-February and moved in four weeks ago. We were very lucky with the weather because it stayed dry during the shell construction phase, so no rain got inside. We did quite a bit of the work ourselves, including installing the external insulation, laying empty conduits for the electrical wiring, painting the roof overhang, and more, sometimes in temperatures around 0°C (32°F). If you dress warmly and keep moving, it’s manageable, although not comfortable, and I always looked forward to the hot bath in the evening.
Still, I would do it the same way again. The tradespeople were available, and everything went very quickly – nowadays, it’s rather difficult to find a tradesperson on short notice.
Still, I would do it the same way again. The tradespeople were available, and everything went very quickly – nowadays, it’s rather difficult to find a tradesperson on short notice.
Thank you all for your feedback.
@Deliverer: No, the building permit is neither approved nor has the construction company been chosen, and nothing is fixed in writing yet. A construction company offered to do it in October. They still have some capacity. But we need to decide quickly, and they say the permit process will work out. Everything feels a bit rushed. The other companies say maybe next year in spring, possibly autumn, but probably not.
@cuddee: That went really fast for you. You must have pushed hard. Are you already done with plastering and all the finishing work, or is it just somewhat livable? Honestly, I like that option: starting in February and then moving in during autumn or winter.
@Deliverer: No, the building permit is neither approved nor has the construction company been chosen, and nothing is fixed in writing yet. A construction company offered to do it in October. They still have some capacity. But we need to decide quickly, and they say the permit process will work out. Everything feels a bit rushed. The other companies say maybe next year in spring, possibly autumn, but probably not.
@cuddee: That went really fast for you. You must have pushed hard. Are you already done with plastering and all the finishing work, or is it just somewhat livable? Honestly, I like that option: starting in February and then moving in during autumn or winter.
D
Deliverer30 Aug 2016 08:24Phew – I needed over nine months for both the bank contracts and the building permit application. This wasn’t a problem in my case, as the architect also had a similarly long waiting list. However, unless the authorities in Bavaria are much faster than those in Baden-Württemberg and you already have a completed building plan (with an acceptable final price including desired features), I think starting construction within eight weeks is quite optimistic.
Just the time needed to take soil samples, analyze them, and incorporate the results into the structural calculations already takes about four weeks...
I wish you the best of luck, but I recommend not rushing anything.
Just the time needed to take soil samples, analyze them, and incorporate the results into the structural calculations already takes about four weeks...
I wish you the best of luck, but I recommend not rushing anything.
@BayEr: We could actually already have the plastering done, but we delayed it because of the landscaper. The scaffolding would have just been in the way, so the plastering will probably take place in September/October, but I can live with that.
The ground floor is basically finished for now; we’ll do the rest step by step since we’re also doing a lot of the work ourselves.
Best regards!
The ground floor is basically finished for now; we’ll do the rest step by step since we’re also doing a lot of the work ourselves.
Best regards!
We are also planning to start construction by the end of October (including a basement), provided we have the building permit / planning permission by then.
If winter arrives, the start will be postponed until next year. Our construction manager said that as long as the weather conditions are reasonably good and temperatures don’t fall below 5°C (41°F), work can still begin.
Then we will see what this winter has in store for us.
However, you shouldn’t let yourself be pressured by time constraints or other factors when choosing your building partner.
If winter arrives, the start will be postponed until next year. Our construction manager said that as long as the weather conditions are reasonably good and temperatures don’t fall below 5°C (41°F), work can still begin.
Then we will see what this winter has in store for us.
However, you shouldn’t let yourself be pressured by time constraints or other factors when choosing your building partner.
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