Of all the questions homeowners ask when planning their outdoor living space, the most frequent is undoubted “WHEN is the best time to build?” While there is no unanimously correct answer to this question, many factors come into play in order to satisfy each individual project. These can be lifestyle-related, budgetary, or even include preparations for HOA approvals. However, the answer comes down to your readiness to pursue your outdoor living addition. If you are ready, then there is definitely no time like the present to get the ball rolling!
Here in the Columbia area, we are blessed with a mild climate virtually year-round. With no danger of having to deal with frost-lines, and very little snow or icy weather, it is possible to begin your project in the winter and have it completed by the time it is warm enough to enjoy open-air structures such as decks or patios. Choosing a cooler-season project can also add unexpected benefits and value to your anticipated outdoor living project.
Here are just a few advantages of choosing a fall/winter project timeline:
- Less Wait Time = More Enjoyment Sooner –– A good incentive to begin your outdoor living structure addition in the cooler months is that you’ll encounter less wait time before construction can begin. Gaining approval through HOAs and permitting may take less time because there is less backlog now. Deciding to build now will now mean you’re able to enjoy the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for the arrival of the outdoor living season in the warmer months ahead. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder, wait times can be longer, especially during the warm seasons. Deciding on a fall/winter project can greatly reduce those wait times.
- The Science of Wood — If you are considering a structure built from wood, a cooler-month project timeline will provide many benefits. Wood requires a time period of acclimation and curing. The laws of expansion and contraction always apply when it comes to working with wood. All wood is hygroscopic, meaning that when exposed to air, it will release or pick up moisture until it is level with the humidity and temperature of the air. Humid conditions, such as those in summer, will cause more rapid expansion and contraction of wood that is not yet sealed for protection against the elements. A structure built from wood needs to cure for a period of time before the sealer or paint will properly adhere to the wood and promote beneficial protection qualities. By choosing to build during the fall and winter, the least humid times of the year, your new wooden deck or other outdoor structure may require less time to cure in order to properly accept the sealer or paint you choose.
- The Dormant Landscape — Your lawn and landscape will experience less stress from construction if you choose to build during the cooler months of the year — this is because most turf grasses, trees and shrubs, and other perennials are in their dormant period during the winter. When dormant, these grasses and plants are less likely to experience permanent damage from being trimmed or pruned to accommodate the addition of a backyard structure. This includes foot traffic from the construction crew.
- Less Stress –Aside from the landscape, construction during the winter will cause less of an interruption to your day-to-day lifestyle as most people use their yards less during these months. The kids are in school and less likely to be playing outside during this time. The noise and materials required to complete your project will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the warmer months.
- Acting NOW = More Value — It is no secret that costs of materials used in outdoor living space designs, either wood or composite, can increase when moving into a new year. Choosing to move ahead with your project now will save you money in the long run on materials costs, and in addition, if you intend to finance your new outdoor structure, the interest rates are still extremely low. Even if our project timeline extends into the next calendar year, if you decide on your design and sign the contract prior to December 15th, 2015, you will lock into this year’s pricing. For many homeowners, the savings are reason enough to move ahead with getting all the logistics in place now, instead of waiting until later.
The Archadeck of Central SC team – Mike Reu, Marshall Reu and Tucker Reu
If you are on the fence about moving forward with the outdoor living space of your dreams, now is the perfect time to get your project on our schedule! Contact Archadeck of Central SC today to learn more. Our consultation is free but the benefits are priceless! You can reach us by phone at (803) 784-1566 or via email at centralsc@archadeck.net
