Building in Winter: Is It Possible and Worth It?
Building a home in Edmonton is a significant investment, and the timing of construction can significantly impact the process. Many people wonder if it's possible to build a home during the winter months. While winter construction does present unique challenges, it can also offer certain advantages. In this blog post, we'll discuss the changes, costs, and benefits associated with building in winter in Edmonton.
Changes to Consider
Edmonton's winters can be harsh, with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, which significantly disrupt the typical home building sequence. Exterior work like masonry and stucco application is often delayed until spring, as freezing temperatures can compromise the integrity of these materials. Grading, which requires unfrozen ground, is also typically postponed. Concrete pouring, while sometimes possible with special techniques, can be challenging and is often delayed until warmer weather. These techniques might involve using heated blankets to protect the concrete from freezing, adding special admixtures to the concrete mix to accelerate hardening, or building temporary enclosures to maintain a suitable temperature. These measures add complexity and cost to the project.
While exterior finishes are on hold, builders use building paper to protect the structure from the elements. Temporary walkways are constructed to provide safe access for workers and prevent them from tracking mud and snow into the unfinished home. These interim measures help maintain the project's momentum even during the winter months.
While interior work like framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installation can often continue throughout the winter, even these phases can be affected. For example, delivering materials to the site might be more difficult due to snow and ice, and workers may require more breaks to warm up, potentially impacting the overall timeline. Although interior work like framing and mechanicals can proceed, contractors often have to be more diligent about climate control inside the structure. Temporary heating is often required to keep the workspace at a reasonable temperature, which contributes to increased energy costs. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation can be more complex in a sealed-up winter construction site. These necessary adaptations lead to increased costs, which we'll discuss next.
Increased Costs
Winter construction in Edmonton inevitably comes with added expenses. These increased costs can be broken down as follows:
Heating: Maintaining a suitable working environment for construction crews and protecting materials from freezing requires significant temporary heating. This can involve propane-powered heaters, electric heaters, and even hoarding (temporary enclosures) to contain the heat. The cost of fuel and the rental/purchase of heating equipment can add up quickly.
Labor: Workers may require more breaks to warm up in cold weather, and certain tasks might take longer due to weather conditions, potentially leading to increased labor costs. Contractors might also need to pay a premium for specialized crews experienced in winter construction.
Materials: Some materials require special handling or storage in cold weather. Concrete admixtures, for instance, add to the material cost. Delays in certain phases might also lead to storage costs for materials waiting to be installed.
Winter Site Preparation: Clearing snow, ice, and mud from the construction site is an ongoing expense throughout the winter. This might involve snow removal equipment, salting, or other measures to ensure safe access.
Advantages of Building in Winter
Despite the challenges and increased costs, building a home in Edmonton during the winter can offer some compelling advantages:
Summer Possession: By starting construction in the winter, you may be able to achieve possession of your new home in the spring or summer. This allows you to enjoy a less stressful move during milder weather and gives you the entire summer to landscape and enjoy your new yard.
Strategic Planning: Winter construction can help you strategically plan your move to coincide with favorable market conditions, which is a significant plus when you have a home to sell. You might avoid the rush of the spring market and potentially get a better price for your existing property.
Avoid Peak Season Pricing: Building in winter can sometimes help you avoid the pricing surge that often occurs in the spring and summer months when demand for contractors and materials is at its highest. This can potentially offset some of the additional costs associated with winter construction.
Contractor Availability: Contractors may have more availability during the winter months compared to the busy spring and summer seasons. This could potentially lead to better scheduling and a more focused approach to your project.
Building a home in Edmonton during the winter months can be a strategic decision. While it may present unique challenges and increased costs, the potential benefits, such as summer possession, strategic planning opportunities, and potentially avoiding peak-season pricing, can make it a worthwhile consideration. By understanding the factors involved, including material considerations, weather impacts on scheduling, cost increases from heating and specialized techniques, and working with a skilled and experienced contractor, you can increase your chances of a successful winter construction project in Edmonton.
Ready to discuss your dream home in Edmonton, regardless of the season? Contact Omni Homes today for a free consultation and let us guide you through the process.
