Hello everyone,
My wife and I are new here and are finally about to realize our dream of owning our own home.
We have found a builder, the bank loan has been approved, and we expect the building permit / planning permission to arrive soon. Originally, we planned to start construction 1-2 months ago, but since the loan was delayed, we are now wondering whether we should still begin building this year.
I have tried to research online a bit but couldn’t find a clear answer to this question. Some say building in winter is beneficial because the house can dry out very well and the risk of stress cracks is reduced, while others argue against it due to potential unforeseen additional costs and the higher risk of damage to the building structure. This seems contradictory...???
At the moment, we feel stuck. What is actually the right approach or what should be considered?
What disadvantages could arise from building over the winter?
- Possible extra costs?
- Effects on the building structure?
What advantages would there be to starting construction now?
We would be very grateful for any advice, as we need to inform our builder of our decision soon.
Thank you in advance.
Smylo
My wife and I are new here and are finally about to realize our dream of owning our own home.
We have found a builder, the bank loan has been approved, and we expect the building permit / planning permission to arrive soon. Originally, we planned to start construction 1-2 months ago, but since the loan was delayed, we are now wondering whether we should still begin building this year.
I have tried to research online a bit but couldn’t find a clear answer to this question. Some say building in winter is beneficial because the house can dry out very well and the risk of stress cracks is reduced, while others argue against it due to potential unforeseen additional costs and the higher risk of damage to the building structure. This seems contradictory...???
At the moment, we feel stuck. What is actually the right approach or what should be considered?
What disadvantages could arise from building over the winter?
- Possible extra costs?
- Effects on the building structure?
What advantages would there be to starting construction now?
We would be very grateful for any advice, as we need to inform our builder of our decision soon.
Thank you in advance.
Smylo
I would definitely start with the construction; however, winter building work is generally not cost-effective. If the shell construction, which usually takes 4-6 weeks, cannot be completed, the work will have to be paused. This normally does not have any negative impact on the structure.
B
Bauexperte26 Oct 2010 10:13Hello,
Basically, the decision about when to start construction does not depend on you or the coordination by your developer, but on the weather conditions. The foundation slab can only be poured if the ground can be stabilized frost-free, meaning at least +5°C (41°F) and this temperature must remain stable – also for several consecutive days. If this is ensured, there is initially no reason to delay the start of construction – however, the shell structure should then be erected quickly, including installing the windows and completing the roof frame and roof tiles. Once the shell is closed, the upcoming weather fluctuations hardly matter anymore. It may be that the interior work becomes somewhat too cold for the workers, so small heating units might be used; if electricity and water costs are not covered by your contractor, this will be a manageable extra expense for you.
The bigger problem, in my view, is that the foundation slab might not be pourable due to outdoor temperatures, and probably as a result, the shell structure cannot be quickly completed – at least not at the moment. Additionally, the Christmas season is approaching, a time when most tradespeople generally take holidays or company shutdowns – meaning construction work will pause anyway.
Therefore, the crucial factor is when the foundation slab can be poured; if temperatures above +5°C (41°F) can be expected and the shell structure can be promptly erected as described above so that it is closed before the Christmas holidays, then there is no reason not to start construction promptly. If your developer cannot guarantee this, I would advise against starting construction and instead begin the project after Christmas – assuming soil conditions permit it.
Last winter was unusually harsh, and according to weather experts' experience, similar conditions are not expected to repeat this year. In principle – if the parameters for pouring the foundation slab are met – there is nothing against building through the winter, as the construction actually dries out better and the air is less saturated.
Kind regards
Smylo schrieb:
The developer has been found, the bank loan approved, and we should soon receive the building permit/planning permission. Originally, we planned to start construction 1-2 months ago, but since the bank loan was delayed, we are now wondering whether we should actually begin construction this year?... Some recommend building during winter because the house can dry out very well and the chance of stress cracks is reduced, while others advise against it due to unpredictable additional costs and the risk that the building structure could be damaged. This seems contradictory...??? We would be very grateful for any advice, as we need to inform our developer of our decision soon.
Basically, the decision about when to start construction does not depend on you or the coordination by your developer, but on the weather conditions. The foundation slab can only be poured if the ground can be stabilized frost-free, meaning at least +5°C (41°F) and this temperature must remain stable – also for several consecutive days. If this is ensured, there is initially no reason to delay the start of construction – however, the shell structure should then be erected quickly, including installing the windows and completing the roof frame and roof tiles. Once the shell is closed, the upcoming weather fluctuations hardly matter anymore. It may be that the interior work becomes somewhat too cold for the workers, so small heating units might be used; if electricity and water costs are not covered by your contractor, this will be a manageable extra expense for you.
The bigger problem, in my view, is that the foundation slab might not be pourable due to outdoor temperatures, and probably as a result, the shell structure cannot be quickly completed – at least not at the moment. Additionally, the Christmas season is approaching, a time when most tradespeople generally take holidays or company shutdowns – meaning construction work will pause anyway.
Therefore, the crucial factor is when the foundation slab can be poured; if temperatures above +5°C (41°F) can be expected and the shell structure can be promptly erected as described above so that it is closed before the Christmas holidays, then there is no reason not to start construction promptly. If your developer cannot guarantee this, I would advise against starting construction and instead begin the project after Christmas – assuming soil conditions permit it.
Last winter was unusually harsh, and according to weather experts' experience, similar conditions are not expected to repeat this year. In principle – if the parameters for pouring the foundation slab are met – there is nothing against building through the winter, as the construction actually dries out better and the air is less saturated.
Kind regards
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