Winter Construction

The Best Time to Build

Most homes are bought and sold in the summer months, but when is the best time to build a new home? In North Georgia, fall usually gives you the best start, and a home that’s under roof by winter keeps right on moving.

Consider Temperature and Season

Cool and dry weather is the best climate for beginning a new home construction project. Cooler temperatures mean better working conditions for the people who are building your home, and dry weather means fewer rain delays and less moisture during the build. A light rain every now and then won’t cause trouble, but extended heavy rain for several days on exposed lumber can cause some problems down the line, like mold and squeaky stairs.

That’s why fall is a good time to break ground here. Site work, footings, and the foundation are the phases weather affects most, and fall ground is generally firmer and more predictable than the spring wet season. By getting your new home framed and under roof before deep winter, you can avoid many potential weather delays and help prevent maintenance problems down the line. A start that slips to late winter does the opposite: it puts your foundation work in the spring rain.

When Do You Want to Move In?

Building a new custom home takes some time, so it’s a good idea to think about when you want to move in. Would you rather move in while the kids are out of school? Do you prefer moving in the summer or fall, as opposed to spring or winter? All of these are things to consider when you decide to start a custom house build. Once you know your target, count backward to see when you need to break ground. Time it well, and you’ll get to enjoy not only your new home, but also your new yard, as soon as it’s completed!

Snow or Rain

In Georgia, it can be difficult to predict what the weather will do tomorrow, next week, or next month, so there’s no way to avoid all potential weather setbacks on a job site. Rain or snow in the winter, just like in the spring, summer, or fall, can still cause a delay.

But winter doesn’t shut a job site down in North Georgia. Wet weather mostly slows the outside work, like site work and the foundation. Once your home is framed and under roof, the interior trades — drywall, trim, cabinets, and paint — carry on through January and February largely indifferent to what’s happening outside. Bottom line, if you’re planning to build a custom home, a fall start that has you under roof by winter is an excellent way to begin your new home construction!