Building work during the winter?

[FlamedToACrisp]

I know it sounds stupid... but do builders knock off during the winter months? Or would they be cheaper, being 'off-season'?

I'm slightly concerned that things won't be able to be done properly during cold, wet weather - like would the concrete set properly, etc? Obviously, if there's three feet of snow, they probably won't be digging the foundations, but should I just assume they know their own jobs and let them get on with it?

I think I'm just having a pre-extension wobble here - reassure me, please!

I'd like to know this too!

We had both our ground floor extension and loft conversion done in the winter. No builders don't stop! Foundations were done in Feb I think. Weather does sometimes slow things down (rain mainly) but it doesn't cost more. All still a very reasonable price - possibly a bit cheaper as most want it done in spring.

DH isn't keen on having the heating turned off and a wall missing in November - but some people just fuss about nothing!

Doing the work over the winter means that you get better use of your garden during summer months so the impact on the family should be less
But it's harder for the family to live through at the time
Ultimately it depends when the builder is available- they take very little time off in my experience!

Had ours done in winter months only delay was concrete pour for footings .
Frost is about the only thing they struggle with once the shell up it's fine

Ours was done in the winter. Disruption to things like heating was kept to a few days only.

We did have to call the builders out on Christmas Day though to pin down a tarp that was in danger of blowing away and letting in the rain.

Our brickie had to stop for two days as we had snow and he wouldn't lay bricks when it was below 3 degrees. Aside from that they carried on, I used to feel very guilty being inside when they were outside in gruesome weather!

If it this winter I would be more concerned about amother lockdown and potentially no deal brexit disrupting supplies than rhe weather.

We are having a 2 storey extension built at the moment and we started in february. If we are lucky it might all be done by october. Builders originally told us it would take 12 weeks!

@CookieMonster22 eight months!! We are having a two-storey extension too - and new windows in every room. I only hope it takes less time than yours!

Similar to Cookie, our two storey plus new windows in current house started at the end of January. We've got some plaster now and windows will go in mid-August. Should have been finished in May but there we go, better than nothing!

Are the delays due to Covid or unrealistic timelines

@mumdone

Are the delays due to Covid or unrealistic timelines

I would say a combination of the above. For a 2 storey in normal times 12 weeks on the shell and then 1 to 2 months on knock through and first and second fix is realistic. There are elements which the builders did not mention to us e.g the floor screeding needing 6 weeks to dry before tiles are laid.

I would say covid added a couple of months to the timescale. Windows were not being manufactured during lockdown, builders merchants were closed. Even now some supplies are being affected e.g. plaster is in shortage as there is only 1 UK supplier british gypsum. Our builders have stockpiled it. Now things are up and running again we are seeing delays lining up trades as they have a backlog of work to do.

They don't stop work, they're not cheaper, but you may find it takes longer as weather can stop things. But at least you can use your house in the summer.

We’re just about to start a large extension, hoping the shell is done by the end of October and the inside work starts in the colder months. We’ve done building works in autumn and spring before. Winter is might preferred due to using the garden in the summer. We’ve 3 children though so the garden is in constant use!

Many smaller builders also have their annual break at Xmas, but apart from that the work goes on. Poor weather can obviously slow down things like brick laying, concreting and render.
And that's a good point from CookieMonster22. Remember to build screed drying time into the schedule - ours was 3 weeks.

Can I ask what about the light in winter?
Does it affect how long builders work for in the day?
Eg do they finish early in the winter because the light starts fading by 3pm?

karmasic
Midwinter outside work for us finished about 3 - 4pm, with tidying up about another 1/2 hour. Trades like roofing finished earlier.