Building A House In Minnesota – Best Time To Build

Are you thinking about building a house in Minnesota?

If you’re considering building a house in MN, you’ll know one of the initial decisions that must be made is timing. Considering each home is different and there will be variances in terms of when the home will be completed, it’s important to work with your professional home builder and designer to set up a realistic schedule for each portion of the building process.

In terms of seasons, summer is one of the more popular choices for building a house in MN, however, more people decide to build in the winter than one would think, and spring has some benefits to home construction as well. Between these two seasons, winter and spring, each offers its own set of pros and cons. Today we’re going to talk about winter and spring home building, and which option may be right for you.

Winter

Pros

Obviously, when you’re in the Midwest, the weather conditions will not always be favorable in terms of trying to build a home in Minnesota, due to the long winter months. However, there are some reasons why someone may choose to start the home building process in the winter.

For instance, subcontractors don’t have as much work during this time, as their busy season is in the warmer months. Therefore, they will be able to spend more time and energy on your property. Along with this, subcontractors still need to work in the winter, and because the demand for their services is lower in the winter, you may be able to get a better price during these months.

A couple more pros to constructing your home in the winter is the fact that subcontractors can work while it snows, up to a point. However, it is much more difficult to work in the rain, which can be common in the spring.

Another added bonus of building a house in MN in the winter is that government agencies tend to be less busy, so it’s easier to acquire the necessary permits to start building.

If you are not ready to start new construction, winter can be an excellent time for renovating your existing home. Considering most of the work can be completed indoors, you could benefit from the lower cost of labor without fearing any complications of the cold weather. This would be a good option for those who purchased their own lot, but are still living in their old house. Renovating in the winter can help get a higher return on investment when you choose to sell after your finish your custom home.

Cons

While subcontractors can work in light snow, you can expect to see some delays in the process due to the occasional snowstorm that the Midwest produces. On top of this, overall the days are shorter and colder, which will stifle the productivity that gets done each day. You will also need to have to pay to have your site plowed and shoveled, particularly anytime it snows anymore than 3 inches.

If your site doesn’t get much sun during the day, it may be best to wait to build, as a frozen ground can really make things difficult for the subcontractors.

While you may be able to find a lower rate for the subcontractor’s works, you may also have to pay more because you need a heating requirement. The winter months can be frigid, and you want to make sure that your contractors have a safe working environment. Furthermore, you’ll have to pay a premium for any equipment being sent out in the cold.

The structural framing and roof construction should also be completed before the snow falls, meaning that there is an added sense of urgency to complete these areas, leaving little room for delays.

So, if you’re in a bit of a time constraint, and the winter isn’t projected to be too rough, you can get away with building a house in MN in the winter. So, it can be done, and the right construction and design team will work with you to complete the job in the safest, most efficient manner possible.

Spring

Pros

When it comes to building a house in MN, spring is often considered the best time to build a home. But why?

Well, first off, the weather is ideal, aside from the occasional rain. However, as we saw this past fall, rain in Minnesota can happen at just about any time of the year, so there isn’t exactly a great way to avoid this. Whereas a big snowfall can delay the project considerably, after it rains, subcontractors should be able to get back to work the next day.

When summer is the busiest time for home builders and contractors, you can get your ideal builder before they are backlogged with too many projects in the summer. Therefore your home will get more attention than if you were to build in the summer.

Additional costs to the project, like labor and supplies, will be lower in the spring than compared to winter and summer as well, due to the nice weather. This will be especially nice if you are starting new construction on your dream home which could very well have a higher price per square foot.

Cons

The demand for home builders will still be higher in the spring (especially in the twin cities) than in the winter, meaning the initial rate may be slightly more. You also run the risk of the weather in the spring being particularly wet, which can cause delays and potentially damages if it rains before the roof is made.

Overall, it’s hard to argue with the benefits that building in the spring can provide for you. In terms of deciding between spring and winter, it just depends on your situation. A professional home builder will work with you to help decide which option is best for you and your new house.

Choosing the Right Home Builder

Starting a new construction project can be stressful, especially if you don’t have much building experience. This is why it is crucial to work with an honest home builder you trust to turn your vision into reality.

At Sustainable 9, we understand that every home build is different. No matter when you need your home built by, we will work alongside you to design and construct your ideal home. At the initial consultation meeting, we will outline your goals and vision for your home. Next, we’ll work through the architectural design agreement to make sure that the blueprint for your home is accurate with your vision. Not only will we create an excellent floor plan for your custom home, but we also build with sustainability in mind. This means we’ll search for financially appropriate vendors that will increase your home’s energy efficiency that will be good for your family, your environment, and your wallet in the long run.

Learn more about our process and how Sustainable 9 can help you build your dream home. If you’re looking for a modern, eco-friendly home, then give us a call today!