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• Winter Construction: When To Work And When To Wait

Construction projects are ongoing; anyone who lives in a major city can tell that even in the dead of winter when storms are raging and temperatures are relentless, work never really stops. If you’re looking at a construction job for your home or business, you know that working during the winter is possible — but is it worthwhile? Here are three things to consider when deciding whether to get to work or wait until spring.

• Is your project time-sensitive? Deadlines are always important when it comes to construction, but some may be vital to adhere to. For example, if you’re working on a new storefront or location and your current lease is going to end in the coming months, you’ll have no place to move your family or employees. In such cases, the cost is worth pushing through the winter as temporary housing or working conditions may run even higher.
• Can your budget stand up to summer costs? Although construction work in the winter can’t operate at full efficiency and may take longer, labor costs spike on June first. The prime building months span from April to October, so the peak working months are dead in the middle of summer; this means that it’s vital to reach your deadline ahead of June if money is tight. Efficiency may not be at its highest in the winter, but it’s definitely possible to get the larger chunks of work done during that period to speed the timeline along.
• Does your chosen construction company have the tools necessary? Building in the winter means the need for temporary heating for construction is higher than ever. Though you won’t have to worry about your workers suffering from heat exhaustion, you — or rather your construction company — will need to provide a space that is warm to combat hypothermia. The construction company will need to arrange for propane heater rentals, direct fired rental heaters, or a temporary heating HVAC rental.

The outcome of your decision depends entirely on your personal needs. However, it would be smart to heed the advice of your construction company — if they tell you your intended project isn’t ideal for the frigid conditions of winter, listen.