The foundation got in, and hopefully the crete’s not frozen, before the really deep freeze set in. There is a long way to go now from mudsills to roofing and windows, before we can get some heat inside and work under roof. We are at 2000 feet elevation, upstate New York Adirondack mountains, with 28 inches of snow on the roofs and the usual 2 to 4 inches every few days. As a percentage, what should we be figuring extra for winter conditions for all the outside work such as framing, roofing, exterior siding, etc., etc.?
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Replies
double!
it depends!
Some years there is a premium charged for winter work and some years the contractors just want to keep their help working rather than risk losing them during winter lay off. this year I'm seeing a lot of contractors just work to stay busy.. the economy is slowly grinding to a halt evan in new home construction.
In general contractors would like a premium but it's questionable that they will get it this year..
In commercial construction I am seeing 15 and 20 bids where previously there might be two or three. and for larger projects I've seen them cut off bids at 45 where they might usually get ive or six..
That was imformative. Cant tell you the times Ive done both. All depends.
Tim Mooney
"In commercial construction I am seeing 15 and 20 bids where previously there might be two or three."
Gotta tell you, I was surprised to hear that. Around here we haven't laid anyone off yet. We typically have a big layoff right before Christmas. (Which really stinks) But even with the bad weather we've been really busy.
They're still on me like a wet diaper on a baby's butt. Yesterday I was arrested for scalping low numbers at the deli. I sold a #3 for 20 bucks.
Recently talked to two builders about getting started on a house right away. (Eastern Canada). One suggested winter charges would add about $5000 (CDN); the other figured that you can count on $500/month for Jan, Feb, $400 per month for Mar, Apr. For the heat. That's it.
Now, schedule wise, who knows?
There are a lot of factors to consider that hold labor higher , but normally material is cheaper . Interrest on a loan for time delays are a big issue with the site covered in rain , snow, ice,etc.
Tim Mooney
Boss,
My buddy in Chicago tells me that commercial is going great guns there and yet in outstate Minnesota it is almost completely dead. While the stuff happening in the metro area is slow, profits are low because of sooooo much competition.
I see a slow down in equipment sales as a indicator of future trends...