Midwest winters are not only hard on homes, but they can also be especially difficult on the people who build those homes. Like most bears head inwards and hibernate during the cold winter months, construction workers also take a break – that is, until the ground thaws and temperatures rise enough to start working on homes again.
The harsh winter weather can cause delays in construction projects and make it difficult for builders to meet completion deadlines. Builders must be prepared for any type of weather when it comes to construction in the Midwest. It's important to have a plan in place in case of bad weather or an unexpected cold snap.
Having a team of experienced construction pros who know how to build homes that can withstand harsh winters is essential. Builders should make sure they use materials and building techniques that are designed for extreme weather conditions and are approved by local building codes. Combining these materials and techniques with a good set of blueprints is the best way to ensure a home can withstand Midwest winters.
Top 5 Reasons Why Most Homebuilders Break For The Winter
We get it. When it's cold outside, we want to stay warm inside. It's hard to think of homebuilding when you want to cozy up in a blanket instead. Here are five obstacles making it hard for homebuilders to stay on the job during Midwest winters.
- Materials Can Freeze and Become Unusable – Cold temperatures can cause materials to freeze, making them unusable. This can lead to construction delays and the need for additional costs in order to get back on target. When you are building a home designed to last a lifetime, you want to make sure it is able to withstand any type of weather condition. That starts with protecting the elements of the home from the elements during the winter months.
- Difficulty Finding Workers – As the temperature drops, so does the number of laborers willing to work outdoors during winter months. This leads to a shortage of workers, which can cause more delays.
- Cold Temperatures Can Make It Difficult To Work – Working outside in freezing temperatures can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for construction workers and their tools. Small tools like saws and hammers are particularly at risk of being damaged by cold weather or ice. Utility workers also need to be careful of the cold when doing their work.
- Snow and Ice Can Make Conditions Unsafe – In some cases, snow and ice can make construction sites unsafe. This can lead to time being wasted while waiting for site conditions to improve. Not only can site conditions be unsafe, but the roads to get materials to the site can also be potentially dangerous. Knowing when certain corridors may be blocked due to bad weather can help builders stay ahead of the game.
- More Energy Is Needed To Work In The Cold – It takes more energy to perform certain tasks like drilling holes in frozen ground, hammering nails and cutting through materials when it's cold outside. There is a process of when to build and when to wait, usually dictated by temperature. During the winter months, it can be difficult to get the balance of work and rest just right. No one thinks about the ground being frozen and the need to take extra steps like heating the ground to be able to continue working. This can slow down the construction process even further.
At Wausau Homes, we know that building in extreme weather conditions is no easy feat. We understand the challenges that Midwest winters can bring. We are prepared for any type of weather and make sure all homes are built right the first time, so they can stand up to the harshest winter conditions. That’s why our team of experienced builders are prepared to take on any challenge that comes their way – even if it means working through some of the Midwest's toughest winters.
What Makes Wausau Homes Different From Other Homebuilders
It turns out that our very process of how we build custom homes every season is particularly helpful during the winter season.
At Wausau Homes, we’re able to deliver a stronger, tighter, higher quality home all year long through our innovative panelized custom homebuilding process. Our state-of-the-art process allows our professional team of craftsmen to build the wall, flooring, and roof trusses in our climate-controlled facility.
Using advanced computer technology, we are able to take the design blueprints and create a set of panels built to the exact specifications and then ship them directly from our facility to the job site. Every panel is assembled using equipment that guarantees every piece is perfectly level and fits together with precision. This ensures a more robust, tighter, higher quality home with less waste and no cost overruns or time delays.
When building during any sort of inclement weather season, a home needs to be protected from the elements as soon as possible, so it’s understandable why most people would be hesitant about a winter build. Traditional stick-built homes take up to two months to frame. The framework can be exposed to harsh winter winds and snow during that time, which can create issues with the build process and delay the entire project. At Wausau Homes, once your local builder lays the foundation, the panelized framework is sent to the job site and assembled by a professional set crew in one to five days.
This ensures the home is up and under the roof faster, virtually eliminating exposure to the harsh outdoor elements.
Poor weather can happen at any time of year. Don’t let a sudden snowstorm cause your framework to get wet and warped. Enjoy peace of mind knowing Wausau Homes can build a home that will be precision crafted, built with the highest quality materials, and stand strong for decades to come.
The Art And Tech Of Building A Home
There is certainly a hands-on aspect of building a home.
- We still use hammers and nails.
- We still use saws and drills.
- We still use ladders and scaffolding to be able to reach the highest peaks of a home.
But we also use technology, advanced engineering, and an eye for detail to ensure every last piece fits perfectly together.
At Wausau Homes, our years of experience have taught us how important it is to build a home that can withstand the test of time. That’s why we use bold, long-lasting materials and advanced engineering techniques to craft a structure that won’t fail when cold weather hits.
Construction projects are big, complex endeavors, and the risks associated with them need to be managed effectively if a project is to come in on time and on budget. Technology has an increasingly important role to play in construction projects from start to finish as it helps secure dependable data that can inform decision-making, reduce risk throughout each stage of the project and streamline efficiency in the workforce.
This includes a range of cutting-edge surveying technologies for measuring anything from a site's topography to locating underground infrastructure; smart automation systems that speed up workflow; 3D modeling capabilities that allow accurate visualization of output; drone technology for monitoring job sites no matter their size and complexity; and precise measuring tools ensuring 90 degrees is always 90 degrees.
At Wausau Homes, we use the latest construction technologies to ensure our homes are built quickly and accurately with the highest quality materials. We believe in building homes that will stand strong for generations to come. All of these tools and technologies come together in the form of our panelized custom homebuilding process. Our teams are able to craft homes with precision and accuracy while ensuring quality control every step of the way. This allows us to confidently deliver a stronger, tighter, higher-quality home with the best possible results.
The Advantages Of Building During The Winter
You are smart to think custom, but you are also smart to think of building custom during the winter. Why? Winter is an ideal time to build your custom home because there is far less competition during the winter season. Where is the competition and how does it serve you best We'll give you four categories: People. Products. Pricing. Permits.
People. With fewer homes being built during the wintertime, your local builder has more options when it comes to subcontractors. This means less competition for the best people, resulting in a superior work product. With less competition, your local Wausau Homes builder is able to complete your home even faster. With the cream of the crop subcontractors available, your builder can choose the best fit for your job to deliver a customized, one-of-a-kind home that stands out from the rest.
Products. With fewer homes being built during the wintertime, there is far less demand on materials and supplies. This can translate into lower costs or greater choice of products that you may need to complete your custom home project. Instead of having lots of home builders looking for the same materials, building your home during the winter season means there are fewer builders out there looking, and you will have a greater opportunity to get the exact materials you are looking for. That beautiful tile backsplash you were hoping to include in your kitchen? There's a better chance of getting it when there isn't heavy demand from other builders.
Pricing. Another advantage of rebuilding your vacation home during the winter also has to do with supply and demand. Because there is less demand for both people and products, in some cases there may be greater potential for a reasonable impact in pricing. Given the volatile market and the scarcity of materials in the construction industry worldwide, nothing is as predictable as it used to be. With many different variables that can have an impact on your rebuild, in the wintertime, you could experience a better outcome when it comes to pricing.
Permits. If you rebuild your vacation home during the winter months, there is a good chance it will be easier to secure building permits from local governments. Why? Fewer people are applying for their permits during the winter season. It helps to create a less congested environment, and you should have an easier time securing everything you need.
Would you rather rebuild your dream home in a chaotic environment where it feels like everyone is trying to get everything at the same time? Or would you rather rebuild when there's less demand and competition? We think winter is a great time to start building your custom home.
Customer satisfaction, from conception to construction to completion.
We understand that a successful project is one that not only meets a customer's primary expectations but also exceeds their desired outcomes. That is why our team takes a holistic approach to every job from start to finish.
Our experienced professionals will be with you from the first signs of conception to the project's completion and beyond, ensuring that every step of the process is completed to the highest standard. During construction, our dedicated crew will focus solely on providing superior craftsmanship and accuracy for the customer's ultimate satisfaction.
It’s this level of commitment and expertise that sets us apart from other custom builders and allows us to execute projects efficiently while building strong relationships with our clients along the way. We firmly believe that it’s through these relationships that customers experience true satisfaction with both us and their finished projects. The dedication of our team is integral in delivering quality results regardless of scope or complexity - no matter what, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do!
If you're looking for a quality home builder who can work with you through all four seasons, Wausau Homes is your best bet! Wausau Homes has been a trusted name in the homebuilding industry for over sixty years. Headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin, and serving nine states throughout the Midwest, we take pride in building homes of unparalleled quality and value, made to order so every customer can find something they love.
Wausau Homes has a long history of building quality custom homes. Despite the challenges that come with building homes during Midwest winters, Wausau Homes is up for the task! Get started today and let us show you why we’re the premier custom home builder in the Midwest. We look forward to helping make your dream home a reality!