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Modular Home Insights | November 6th, 2021

Building in the Winter

Can homes really be built in the cold, snowy winter season?

Stick-building in the winter comes with its challenges. The hours of daylight are shorter, materials are snowed in, the temperatures can be frigid and frankly, it can be quite wet. You may experience workers rushing to complete projects simply to get out of the cold, too!

But, when you build a modular home, you can skip the weather delays, structural components of your home being exposed to harsh elements and long lead times. Our modular homes are built in a state of the art, climate controlled factory! It’s true: the modular advantage comes with many perks during, especially during the winter season. Let’s explore them below!

 

Potential for Off Season Pricing

You’re going to need all hands on deck once your home is delivered. If your home is delivered in the winter (many people’s off season), your trade workers may have off season pricing to offer you. It can also be a great time to pre-purchase materials for your spring and summer projects before prices typically increase.

Delivery in winter is generally easier and has potential for less hiccups simply because the ground is frozen. Things such as soft or wet grounds can make it challenging for our heavy loads to pass through without sinking, so frozen ground is always welcoming!

Permitting Timelines

What’s better than saving money? Saving time, too! The permitting process can sometimes be faster in the winter months as municipal and county offices will have less backlog on permit approvals due to a slowing construction industry.

Reduced Carrying Costs

Are you financing or mortgaging the land you’re putting your home onto? If so, you’ll have less carrying costs by starting work earlier as opposed to waiting until Spring to get started. By starting now and having your home arrive in the winter, you can get started on your landscaping early in the spring and enjoy the summer months in your new yard, too!

Things to Consider Before Taking Winter Delivery of your Home

Now that you’re equipped with reasons why building and delivering your home in the winter can be beneficial, let’s discuss ground prep that needs to be completed before taking delivery. We’ll cover all things: basements, pilings, and services. We’ve included some resources below regarding winter installation of the foundation and completion of the site work.

It’s important to note that while we can provide insight into the process, it’s critical that you discuss the below points with your qualified tradespeople.

Concrete Basements | Pilings

You CAN pour concrete basement foundations and concrete pilings in the winter months, but special measures will need to be taken to prevent the concrete from freezing. Extra measures might include the use of windbreaks, insulated form-work and heaters. These extra measures can increase costs.

Did you know? Jandel offers installations of foundations so you don’t have to deal with that part of the puzzle. If you’re looking for trusted construction contractors we also have a list we’re happy to share with you!

 

Insulated Concrete Form [ICF] Basements

ICF basements offer the ability to pour concrete into your walls at temperatures colder than that of conventional concrete forms due to ICF’s high insulating properties. In very cold weather conditions, minimal precautions may be required, especially at wall penetrations and edges.

Steel Auger Pilings

Steel auger pilings have great load bearing capacity, tremendous lateral strength, cause minimal disturbance to the site and are easily installed in the winter.

 

Septic Systems

It is ideal to install septic systems in the warmer months but our sub-contractors can install them year round. Proper equipment handling will mediate the challenges of cold weather installation.

Natural Gas Lines

Natural gas lines can be installed year round, although the service provider may add a surcharge. Many of our clients who build in the winter opt to use propane until the weather is warmer. ATCO Gas has a deadline of September 30th to avoid the surcharges.

Get Started on your winter build with Jandel Homes

While the decision of when to build is a personal one, winter building is a great option for many of our home buyers. They are living in their new home much faster than clients who opt to wait for the spring rush. Imagine waking up this spring and being ready to start landscaping. Not wondering when you’re going to break ground and start building.

Please call us toll free 855.463.0084 [Edmonton] or 877.504.5005 [Grande Prairie] for more information.

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