Is it too late in the season to begin a large addition project?
A—Our weather is usually mild enough to allow construction throughout the fall and winter without serious problems. In past years, my company has begun many large projects in October and November without significant problems. Ideally, if you can get the shell of the structure up and “dried-in” before mid-December, the remaining exterior work can dodge the storms, and the interior work can proceed unimpeded. If the roof must be removed, it is often easier to protect the house from snow than from spring rains, since snow can be removed before melting. Timing, however, is crucial. If a surprise storm brings a foot of wet snow or a week of sub-zero temperatures just after the basement or crawl space is excavated, you may incur costly delays or remedies in order to form and pour the foundation. On the other hand, the same storm an hour after the foundation is poured may be nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Any increase in cost associated with weather protection or lost efficiency cou
