When is the Best Time to Build a New Home?

When looking for your dream home in central Pennsylvania, you may decide you want to build it instead. Once you start researching everything that goes into building a new home, many people wonder when the best time to build is. Before any construction starts, you need to have a detailed plan for your build so your contractors at Deer Ridge Construction can properly estimate how long the project will take. There are advantages and disadvantages to building a new home during any time of the year, which we will discuss below.

Building in Spring

Spring is a great time to build a new home, as the warmer weather will make the whole process smoother. Material deliveries are less likely to be delayed due to snow, and the warmer days will allow for more comfortable working conditions. You can finish designing and planning your build in late winter, like January or February, and then start building in the spring when the weather warms up. 

Downsides to Spring Building

However, during this time, materials and labor costs will be more expensive, and there may be fewer options to choose from since demand will be high. Weather can also be unpredictable, especially during Pennsylvania’s April showers, which can cause construction delays.

Building in Summer

Summertime has the most stable weather to build, making the building process easier. Warmer weather and more predictable rain can make it easier to plan the construction timeline, and longer days will allow construction to be completed sooner. When building the foundations for your home, we’ve found that pouring concrete is better done during warmer months. This will allow the concrete to cure properly.

Downsides of Summer Building

While material deliveries are less likely to be delayed during summer, the cost for them will be higher due to high demand. Pennsylvania summers can also get really hot, which can be uncomfortable for construction workers. 

Building in Autumn

Autumn also provides stable weather to build, as the best time to build is when the weather is cool and dry.  This time is considered an off-season for construction, so material prices and labor costs will be somewhat lower, benefiting people who want to save money. There are more building materials to choose from, and more labor availability since there aren’t as many projects going on at once. The weather is also more manageable during this time of year, giving construction crews a more comfortable working environment. 

Downsides of Autumn Building

Building during the fall can require a time crunch, as you need to break ground before the winter freezes come in. In Pennsylvania, it can reach freezing temperatures in December. We recommend starting the building process in late August or early September so you can get your house dried in before then.

Building in Winter

Building during the winter months can be a good choice for some people, as peak costs will be at their lowest. This is a very slow time of the year, which can entice people who need to save money when building a new home. Early winter can be good to build through if your home has a foundation. 

Downsides of Winter Building

If you live in an area with harsh winter conditions, like Pennsylvania, then it might be best to delay the build until spring. Working in these conditions can be difficult, as there are fewer daylight hours, the soil can be frozen, and it can be difficult to travel to and from the work site, causing construction delays. If you want to build through the winter, we recommend starting in the fall so you can get the foundation finished while the weather is still warm enough. 

When to Build with Deer Ridge Construction

All in all, we at Deer Ridge would recommend building with us during the summer or fall. The decision is up to you. Contact us to discuss when the best time to build for you is and plan a project timeline for your home build.  No matter what season you build your home in, you need to plan and prepare for it far in advance. We find it best to start planning for your new home 6-8 months before you want to start construction. At Deer Ridge, we can build your house in as little as four months, so you can be in your new home before the next season arrives.