Building during winter

Stevie1

We have a porch in our new house that needs to be changed as soon as - move the door from the side to the front and reduce the size of the window next to it. We have all permissions needed and can begin work.

I worry that building work grinds to a halt when the weather is wet and am wondering how the builder will get around it when we have two big gaping holes at the front of the house. It's not just security, it's also cold wind and rain...

Does anyone know how builders get around this?
(I am going to ask mine, but would like to hear other people's experience)

tubbee2

We have an old house that constantly requires repairs/renewals. Years of experience have taught me never and I mean NEVER begin building work after October or before April. We have had penalty clauses, timed delay agreements - (lawyer in the family) - you name it, but essentially unless you want to fall out big time with your builder, remember the golden rule. Don't start building work unless you are prepared to have the outside brought inside! Good luck

BB1984

I may have got the wrong end of the stick, in which case I'm sorry, but as far as I understand, you need to knock down one porch, and build another porch elsewhere......?!

In which case - the builder could build the new porch before knocking the old one down, and before knocking through into the house. And he could brick up the old door and window before knocking the old porch down. This way there will never actually be a full-on hole to the great outdoors at any point.

Or maybe I've completely misunderstood you in which case, ignore everything I've just said...!

bb

ormus

they should erect temp security/WP boarding, if the hole in the wall needs to be left for one day, or more.
you could say in the contract that any major work, such as the hole must be completed within say 48hrs, no matter what the weather.