Posted by admin | Posted in Log Cabin Tips & Ideas | Posted on 17-11-2009
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BlueStone Construction | 4 Reasons To Build Your New Lakehome Over Winter in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Is there an advantage to building your new lakehome over the winter? I know summer is warmer but generally builders are busier during this time making them less accessible which can lead to "more expense". Do winter projects perform better than summer ones?
Think about it. Over summer months contractors are more rushed as they try to get as much business lined up as they can in order to survive the oncoming cold harsh winter. Many of them over commit leading to scheduling problems that ultimately translate into customer unrest.
What about building over the winter months? Typically a $500,000 cabin requires about $15,000 to cover ground thawing to break up frost and cure the foundation in freezing conditions. Most people don't get past this fact thinking the cost/benefit threshold has been breached. But has it? Let's consider further.
First, every year around March or April materials go up on average about 5%. That means orders locked in with suppliers prior to this event realize a savings on a $500,000 home around $25,000. If we subtract what it will cost for ground thawing we are left with a gain of $10,000 by building over winter. It will generally cost somewhere around $3,000 to heat the new cabin reducing that gain down to $7,000.
Second, subcontractors are usually hungrier over winter months and are more willing to accept work at rates 3% less than they would during summer. This savings can easily equate to $15,000 or more. Doing the math by adding previous $7,000 savings brings the net gain up over $20,000. This is significant.
Third, lake property owners who build over winter months don't have to sacrifice as much quality time at the lake during warm summer months. Who can place a value on family time at the lake not lost? And the neighbors at the lake will be spared construction noises as well because most of them don't live at the lake full time.
Fourth, since subcontractors are not as rushed during winter months, they take far more care and give better attention to detail. This fact means winter cabins are generally constructed with more quality as a result. It is counter intuitive. One would think that warmth automatically translates into quality when in fact, due to over scheduling, subcontractors are rushed far more in summer months. And you know the old adage, "Haste makes waste".
About the Author
Jim Raboin heads up BlueStone Construction & Project Management, LLC ...a design/build lake home general contracting firm serving Minnesota and Wisconsin lake country.
Beautiful Sunset on Leech Lake with Pierre
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