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With cooler temperatures and shorter days, autumn is in full swing throughout Central Iowa. For many people, the fall season means a return of pumpkin spice, football, and school activities. For others, the changing seasons indicate the fast-approaching winter months and the traditional end of construction season. However, if you are a commercial real estate developer, the change of seasons doesn’t have to interrupt your plans. In fact, winter may be the perfect time to start your next build out.
Though the winter months are often perceived as a natural interruption to the construction season, commercial property owners can gain several advantages from starting construction during the winter.
Most contractors have fewer projects scheduled during the winter. This means that you’ll have an easier time finding and selecting a contractor that meets your needs. What’s more, the contractor’s increased availability means that your contractor is often able to get started sooner and progress projects more quickly than usual.
Another great benefit of starting your project in the winter time is the increased availability of construction materials and supplies. Typically suppliers use the winter months to stockpile materials such as lumber and drywall in preparation for the spring and summer. This means that commercial property owners may be able to stretch their budgets a bit further.
Finally, since construction projects slow down during the winter months, the permit approval process can be expedited during that time. This means fewer delays and more timely progress across the board for your commercial construction project.
With all that being said, winter weather can make certain types of construction processes more difficult. Nevertheless, in many cases these difficulties can be overcome through proper planning, temperature controls, and extra time. If your project involves any of the following tasks, be sure to consult with your contractor on how best to avoid costly delays and problems.
During the winter, the moisture in the ground becomes frozen making it difficult to achieve proper compaction and grading. When the ground thaws in the spring the moisture is released causing uneven settlement which can damage a building’s foundation. For this reason, it is important that any groundwork be accomplished before the ground becomes frozen or after it is thoroughly thawed.
These materials do not set or cure properly if the temperature is too cold. As a result they can lose much of their bonding strength. However, there are often low-cost solutions that can overcome these challenges. In fact, interior temperature-controlled spaces are often unaffected by these problems. Projects that are more exposed to seasonal elements may require temporary cover and heating to ensure the proper drying/curing conditions.
Based on these limitations, ideal winter construction projects for your commercial property are primarily interior based. This can include projects such as giving your space a white box finish, installing energy efficient utilities, changing out light fixtures, replacing a drop-ceiling, and other trending commercial property improvements.
You have great plans and ideas for your commercial space. Don’t let this winter interrupt your plans for your commercial property. Instead, use the slow-down in conventional construction projects to give you a jumpstart on your goals and objectives. At Premier Construction, our team has the expertise to help you with your project no matter what the weather is outside. Contact us today to see how we can help you.