If you’re planning on building a home, one of the first decisions you must make is when to begin construction. Other builders might have you believe that there are certain times of year when it’s best to build. But the truth is, there’s really no specific time of year that’s best for building.
With a qualified builder, you should have no trouble having your home built no matter what time of year! Whether it’s summer, fall, winter or spring – you can build a home any time of year.
Home Building at Any Time of the Year
Sure, there are a few challenges to building in each season. Especially in a state such as Pennsylvania where the weather is so different season-to-season. But a good, experienced builder is aware of these challenges and knows how to work around them.
For example, you might think that snowfall during the winter season could hinder your construction. However, an experienced builder will be able to take measures before construction even begins to ensure that if it does snow, it won’t affect the progress or quality of your construction. Your builder will plan ahead for snow, so your home will still finish construction on schedule.
With a builder like Costa Homebuilders, you really can build any time of year. So, when deciding when to start your home building project, focus on the advantages of each season. Look at these advantages and determine which ones your family will benefit from the most.
The Winter
Many homeowners mistakenly think that winter is a big no-no when it comes to building a home. They assume that because of the weather, the winter is the worst time to build. The potential weather should be a non-factor, though, as long as you have a good builder. After all, poor weather can hit at any time of the year – not just winter.
One of the biggest advantages to starting construction in the winter is that your home will be ready for move in before the next winter hits. If you absolutely do not want to be moving boxes when temperatures are cold and the holidays are in full swing, consider starting to build in the winter.
The Spring and Fall
Yes, it does tend to rain during the spring and fall seasons more than during the winters and summers. But again, a good builder will know how to keep construction going even if it’s raining with the use of tarps and other methods.
The Summer
Summer is often looked upon as the best time to build a home. Yes, you are much less likely to have to deal with poor weather that the other three seasons of the year. But there’s not much else that sets summer ahead of the other seasons other than personal considerations.
Summer does tend to have longer days, which means more work can be accomplished in a single day than what can be done over the course of a winter day. This could be an advantage if you’re planning on building a home that will only take three to six months to build. But if your builder estimates that it will take longer to complete (if you’re planning a larger, more complicated home), then the time of year you choose to build will not make much difference.
Personal Considerations
As you can see, building your own custom home is possible any time of year. Of course, building a home isn’t just about external factors…it’s also about you and your family! You’ll also want to take personal factors into consideration when deciding when to start your home building project.
If you want to make sure construction and your move go according to plan, you need to consider how the season affects your circumstances.
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Your Work Situation
Some homeowners want to be very involved in the building process. Others would prefer to take a backseat and let the builder handle everything.
If you want to be more hands on during the construction of your home, you’ll want to visit the site often as well as speak with your builder on a regular basis. This may prove to be difficult during a time when you’re particularly busy at work.
If you know that your work-life will be busy during a certain season, it may not be ideal to have a major project like house construction occurring at the same time. Some people prefer to schedule such projects to overlap with their vacations, so they can keep an eye on the project and avoid the stress of long hours at work combined with all the decisions that go into building a home.
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Your Kids
If you have kids, don’t forget about how they might be affected by a move to a new home. Consider at what point of the school year a move would be most convenient. This is especially important if your kids are going to have to switch schools once construction ends and you move into your new home. If this is the case, ask your builder to help plan construction to end during a vacation period – such as winter break, spring break or summer vacation.
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Moving Logistics
When you’ll be able to move is another consideration to take seriously. Whether you’re looking at an existing lease, trying to sell your current home or juggling the logistics of relocation, it’s a serious factor that you should take into consideration. In this case, it’s not the season of building that matters so much as the season of completion. If you build in the fall, will you be ready and willing to move in the winter?
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that delays in your home’s construction do happen from time to time. But not to worry. A builder that is experienced in building during all seasons will know exactly how to manage challenges to prevent delays and problems. And when delays do arise, they will be able to guide you through how to handle it to get your project back on schedule.
There is a lot that goes into determining the best time of year to build your home. There is no one answer for any homebuilding strategy. What’s truly important is that you think through your situation and make an informed decision.
Only you can decide what season makes the most sense for your goals and circumstances. Raise your concerns with your builder and they will help you choose the time of year that is best for you and your family!
