ᐅ Is a Winter Construction Schedule Realistic?

Hello 🙂

We are now right in the middle of the building process; the foundation slab was poured a week ago. We are planning a solid bungalow with wood cladding. Our original schedule aimed for completion by the end of April. This included a significant time buffer, but we have already used up that buffer due to various delays in obtaining the building permit / planning permission.

Our architect (who is also our builder) says that the weather plays only a minor role. The groundwork is completed, and now it is important to finish the shell soon so that the weather has less impact. After that, the rest will be managed with dryers and similar equipment. However, a friend who is also involved in construction was quite surprised that the shell and related work are planned for these weeks since “it will never be dry” at this time.

From past experience, I know that most construction activities used to pause during winter. Are the new materials really better suited for this? Should we expect delays, or is there even a risk of later damage because construction is happening in freezing or cold conditions?

Depending on the weather, it is possible to complete a house without a basement within that timeframe if the shell of the building can be erected and the roof installed. Inside, construction heaters can be used if necessary to maintain the required temperatures, for example, for electrical work. However, I would not rely on the end of April deadline and terminate your current rental yet. You have already noticed how quickly the time buffer disappears, and the construction site hasn’t even started yet. There was a recent post in the forum about someone moving into a house without heating. This is considered acceptance of the building and should definitely be avoided.

It is possible, and not unlikely.

However, I would not rely on this date at all; it is also quite likely that the house will only be finished by the end of June. Completing a house depends on many factors, mostly on numerous contractors who need to work together independently. Another time factor is drying, which can bring surprises...

Our bricklayer said in July that we _could_ move in by the end of September. Could! The handover was at the end of January.

Best regards

Svetta16 schrieb:
The earthworks are done, and now it’s important to finish the building envelope soon so that the weather has less impact; after that, the rest can be managed with dehumidifiers and similar equipment.

That sounds about right. Now it depends on the actual temperature and weather conditions. All building materials (mortar, adhesives, foam, etc.) have application guidelines specifying permissible (and sometimes recommended) limits. If in doubt, you should request the appropriate certifications. Additives can also be used (for example, in concrete processing).

If there is a prolonged period of severe frost, it could be problematic, but a late autumn like in recent years usually shouldn’t significantly delay the project. Once the roof is on and the windows are installed, almost anything is manageable. (A bungalow shell only takes a few days to build anyway, if necessary; assuming a wooden beam ceiling.)

The completion date can be met, but it doesn’t have to be. I would dare to say the weather has the least influence on that ;-). At least, that seems to be the case in most construction projects.

Hello,

Svetta16 schrieb:

Our architect (who is also the construction company) says that the weather only plays a minor role.

That is not entirely accurate. Weather only plays a minor role as long as temperatures remain above 5°C (41°F); below that, it becomes critical. For example, if masonry work is carried out at too low temperatures, mortar and adhesive will not bond properly, increasing the risk of cracks later on. Reinforcing steel must be preheated below 5°C (41°F).

Svetta16 schrieb:

The groundwork is finished, and now it is important to complete the building shell soon, so the weather has less impact. After that, the rest can be managed with drying equipment and so on.

That is correct—provided that the weather permits the full enclosure of the shell!

Svetta16 schrieb:

From my past experience, most construction activities paused during winter. Are the new materials really better suited, or should we expect delays, or even risk subsequent damage because construction was done during frost or cold temperatures?

It’s less about improved products and more about the builder’s desire to move in as soon as possible after signing the contract.

Winter weather is a recurring issue every year; the past few years have been favorable for the construction industry. Whether this will also be the case in 2016/2017, nobody can reliably predict; if conditions are unfavorable, it can stay cold until Easter. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t terminate your current lease just yet.

Best regards, Bauexperte

Ok, that probably explains why the work is currently on hold. The past few days have seen quite low temperatures here. But it’s supposed to warm up again soon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this warm period lasts long enough to allow us to build the walls 😉

And yes, since it will be a timber beam ceiling, it might actually work out after all.

Apartments will be terminated no earlier than three months in advance, so in January at the earliest. By then, the situation should be clearer and the overall conditions will likely be less critical, with the focus shifting more to the specific trades involved 😉.

We all agree that moving in will definitely happen only once everything is complete. If necessary, we’d rather store our belongings and stay with family for a few weeks than move into an active construction site...

Thanks for your input!