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Renovation is a stressful activity that requires masses of planning, no matter the time of year. And while there are benefits to this type of work during the colder seasons, there are just as many pitfalls. Seasonal constraints may force you to abandon a project until later while availability is decreased. Some of the biggest mistakes you can make during winter renovation aren't easily rectified, but you can plan around them.
Underestimating the Weather
Of course, you will be aware of seasonal weather changes. And while it rains more in spring and summer, other climate issues more common in winter make renovation during this time a little more challenging, decreasing potential income. For instance, renovation with the intent of placing homes for sale means your business may be delayed until it's warmer. Delays may happen because clear winter days can quickly turn into blizzards, hailstorms, and gale-force winds. All of which are extremely dangerous to homes under construction. For example, lower temperatures can freeze mortar, compromising its molecular integrity.
Discounting Supply Chains
Supply chain issues are currently in crisis mode in some parts of the world. There are many reasons for this. Some include Brexit, container and shipping problems, and Covid-19. However, current global woes aside, supply chains are typically disrupted during winter due to adverse weather. Therefore, some materials or essential items are severely delayed in terms of shipping or aren't available at all. Additionally, materials within the same continent or country may also be delayed since icy roads might make the delivery of certain items impossible.
Budget Constraints
The colder times of the year are more expensive than any other. This is because many countries such as the UK and USA hold national holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Thanksgiving. Additionally, there are themed nights such as Halloween and the 5th of November. These are typically times of the year when you are likely to spend more than usual and can interfere with winter renovation. For example, the average Christmas spending in the UK is approximately £1,000. Therefore, funds are more than likely to be lower than you might previously think. So plan ahead and stick to your budget across the board.
Working Through Health Issues
It may seem like Covid-19 is the only illness around at the moment, but winter is cold and flu season. And there is currently no known cure for either. Given that both diseases are so virulent, it's likely you will catch one or the other during the course of a winter renovation. It's possible you can work through a cold, but you run the risk of infecting others. However, flu can be debilitating and even deadly, with over 20,000 annual deaths in the United States alone. Further, existing health complaints such as psoriasis, COPD, and asthma are exacerbated in winter, potentially putting you out of action for a significant period or causing sporadic work. Ensure you rest up and treat any conditions before commencing a winter renovation.
Availability of Healthy Workers
Further to your personal health conditions, others, such as contractors and architects, also aren't immune to the most common winter health issues. Or they may also experience health and medical problems such as those mentioned. Therefore, they also might be unable to work at an optimal level. Adding to the problems typically associated with winter and colder climates, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 contributes to a shortage of workers across the board. Concerningly though, the medical sector reports a sharp increase in staff absent because of a positive PCR test or contact with someone testing positive. As a result, winter 2021/2022 renovations may need to be put on hold for the foreseeable future.
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