The Best Time of Year to Build a Home

There are so many questions that will arise for people deciding to build their own home. Things like budgets, timelines, and the scope of the project are all very important things to consider. All of these aspects of buying a home will be impacted by another important choice. That choice is the time of year the home building project will commence.

Many people assume that there is only one time of year that is best for building a home, but the truth is a home can be built year-round. Even in an area that experiences all four seasons, choosing to build a home during any time of the year is a feasible option. There are, however, pros and cons to building a home during each time of the year.
No matter what time of year it is, nothing can stand in the way of building the perfect home. The following is a breakdown of the pros and cons of building a home during different times of the year. Since no part of the year is off limits, every future homeowner can choose the timing that fits their schedule and then be on their way to owning the home of their dreams.

Winter

The thought of building a home in the winter, especially in harsher environments, seems impossible. However, the fact is, sometimes it can be the best time of year to build a home. While the cold and snow can prove to be challenging, every season has its share of harsh weather. The fact that the temperature is low doesn’t mean that home building can’t be done, but it is important to understand the pros and cons of building in the winter.

Pros

Contractors and subcontractors will have a more open schedule.
Material costs may be slightly lower.
Subcontractors may be able to give a better price for the project than they would during busy seasons.
Acquiring building permits should move quicker than other times of the year.
Snow doesn’t usually stop building unless it is very severe.

Cons

Extra precautions and efforts may need to be taken to avoid having the cold affect the project.
Severe weather can halt the project for an extended time.
If there is heavy snow or ice, the site may need to be plowed which would add to costs and timeline.
Daylight hours are shorter meaning working hours will be shorter.

Spring

Spring has many positives and negatives when building a home. Many people think of spring as being the perfect time to start big projects so that they will be finished before the harshest part of summer begins. While this is true, and there are many other reasons that make spring a great time to build, but there are also many things that make spring less than ideal for a build. As with any home building project, it is important for the future home owners to seriously consider timing before starting their project.

Pros

The weather is more temperate than in other times of the year.
Subcontractors may have more open availability during the spring.
Subcontractors will be motivated to finish the job on the scheduled timeline so they can prepare for their busier season.
Building a home in the spring means it will likely be complete in early summer. For families with children, this means they will not have to move their kids out of the school district in the middle of the year.
Landscaping can be completed right after the build is finished, meaning the whole home will be complete at around the same time.

Cons

In late spring, subcontractors will start to be busier, meaning scheduling can be difficult.
In many areas, the risk of rain increases, meaning delays are likely.
Mud resulting from rain can delay construction even further.
Unexpected freezes can affect the laying of foundation and other important parts of a home building project.

Summer

As with the other seasons, summer has some major positives and negative that must be evaluated before deciding to start a project. This season offers incredible weather but also presents some unique challenges. Things like busy subcontractors, unpredictable weather, and higher costs can seriously impact a home building project during the summer. For some home builders, the pros will outweigh the cons and summer will be the perfect time for them to begin building their dream home.

Pros

Longer periods of daylight mean workers can make the most of every hour in the day.
Chances of delays from rain or other severe weather are unlikely to last more than a day or two.
Subcontractors will be motivated to get the job done quickly since their schedule is hectic.
There is no fear of ground freezing and thawing, meaning problems with the foundation shouldn’t occur.
Materials and laborers are easier to come by during the summer months.

Cons

Contractors and subcontractors can be near impossible to schedule with during this time.
Contractors that are busy may not have the time to fully vet their subcontractors, which can result in shoddy workmanship.
The temperature, especially in warmer areas, can result in dangerous working conditions due to heat stroke and dehydration.
Since most subcontractors have busy schedules, getting essential professionals out in the same timeframe can be difficult. For example, builders may end up waiting on a plumbing professional, which means drywall and flooring would be delayed until that professional is available.

Fall

Fall has its own long list of pros and cons when it comes to building a home. From the pressure of meeting timelines to the availability of contractors and subcontractors, there are many things that should be prepared for. Home builders who are interested in starting their project in the fall should be aware of the many positives and negatives presented by this season.

Pros

The mild weather at the beginning of fall is the perfect time to start exterior building work.
The outside projects can be completed before cold weather hits, meaning indoor work can be done when it’s cold.
The weather is generally favorable for foundation work and most other parts of the build.
Chance of rain is low, meaning delays from rain and mud are much less likely.
Impending winter weather may motivate subcontractors to move more quickly and finish the project before the deadline.

Cons

Subcontractors may be hard to schedule during early fall.
There are fewer subcontractors available, meaning available subcontractors will be more expensive.
The availability of building materials may start to dwindle in late fall.
The time crunch to finish the projects and move in before winter sets in can be stressful for owners.

Get Started on Building the Perfect Home

With these pros and cons throughout the seasons considered, there is one thing that is very important to remember. Ultimately, the person who is building and paying for the home building project is in charge of how things will be done. Everything should be done with the builder’s desires, goals, and comfort level in mind. If at any time during the building process the builder feel uncomfortable with how the proves is going, it is important to speak up. The bottom line is, the builder should be flexible and understanding that some things are out of the control of subcontractors, but they should also be sure to be pleased with the overall progress and outcome of the home. No matter the season, building a home should be a dream come true, not a living nightmare.
The planning, excitement, and hard work that goes into building a home is truly a labor of love. Hundreds of man hours will go into each part of the build, making sure that the resulting house will be a strong and beautiful place to enjoy life. The ability to build a home to exact specifications is a true blessing which allows homeowners to have everything they have dreamed of having in their home come to fruition.