Can I Build My Shed in Winter?

If you are considering starting a shed project, you may be wondering when the best time of the year is to build. While outdoor building projects are typically easier to complete in the summer months, building during the depths of winter is also well achievable.  

In this blog, we discuss some factors to bear in mind when planning your winter build. 

Weather

The main reason some people prefer to wait until summer to build their shed is because the ground conditions can be challenging after heavy rainfall. Earthworks can be particularly difficult, especially if a site cut is required as rainfall can result in erosion of the cut.

If your ground is extremely wet, it would be recommended to delay the build until the ground dries out a little.

Another reason some people wait for dryer months is because the colder temperatures can make pouring a concrete floor more difficult. While this is often the case, there are ways to get around these problems depending on which shed system you are building. 

Concrete Floor

If you are building a pole shed, a concrete floor is not required to get the shed standing as it is not considered a structural component of the shed. This means that once the poles are concreted into the ground, the entire roof structure can be built. Some builders like to work this way as it means the concrete floor can be poured under cover and protected from the rain.

Concrete can take longer to set in the winter months due to the cooler temperatures, however chemical hardeners can be added to the concrete to make it set faster.

While both of these methods are commonly used, we recommend talking to your builder and/or your concrete supplier for advice on the best course of action for your site. 

Landscaping

Another reason it is often beneficial to build in winter is that landscaping can be started as soon as spring arrives. This means that any planting is well established, and the site looks great for the summer months. 

Safety 

Depending on the shed location, Wind, Rain, Snow and hail are all possibilities during your wintertime build, it’s important to ensure that safety is always upheld. Things can become slippery and difficult to handle making it very important to stay focused.

Keep tools and the building materials in a well-covered area will ensure they are easy to work with and not covered in frost or water. This in turn makes the handling and transporting more efficient, productive and safe. 

Builder Availability

During the winter months, builders and other trades can often have lighter workloads. This means the build can often start soon after the kitset is delivered, rather than waiting for tradesmen to finish other jobs. 

In the summer, tradesmen can often be required to jump between jobs to get multiple projects completed at once. With the lighter workload in winter, tradesmen will often find it easier to stay on site until the job is finished meaning that a shed project can often be completed a little faster. 

In summary, it is not difficult to build a shed during the winter months and in some cases it can be beneficial. While it can take a little more planning to negotiate particularly bad spells of weather, the project can often still be completed in a timely manner.

If you are looking at doing a shed build, contact the team at Alpine. We have a network of experienced builders around the country that would be happy to help you complete your shed project, no matter the weather.