New big addition in winter: yes or no?
I am putting an addition to either sides of an existing 5000 sq. ft house in the Northern Virginia area. The addition size will be about 2,500 sq. ft. unfortunately, the site plan took to long and we just got the building permit. I have never done this in the winter and some say yes other say no don’t do it. the main concern is not just the foundation, framing, roofing in the cold but the part that we will be connecting the new and existing roof which is quite a complex roof. What do you experts with experience building int he cold have to say about this? thanks very much for your input. (we are looking to start framing in mid december)
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Average highs in the 40's and average lows in the 30's? They call that May in Minnesota.
I aim for foundation before thanksgiving up here.
His frost dedpth is probably only two feet or less so with protection he could probably do it any time. It just costs a bit more in winter
I've seen foundations placed when it was 10 below. Just a matter of knowing the techniques (and having a sufficiently large propane supply).
Ditto what Mike said - We gotta work all year long.
Winter work can be good, in a way. When you need a plumber there (or whatever trade) they're less liekly to be busy, so you're more likely to get them when you want them.
The biggerst downside IMHO is interest on the mortgage. It doesn't stop for bad weather.