The UK was braced for snow overnight, and depending on where you live you perhaps either woke up disappointed or to a ‘snow day’. But if you are currently in the midst of a self build, extension or renovation project then snow can prove an interesting foil.
The UK has been in the throes of inclement weather for what feels like most of 2020, with Storms Ciara and Dennis bringing flooding, travel disruption, as well as challenging conditions for building sites.
For those building, extending or renovating a house, the sight of snow can cause worry about what this means for their building project.
(MORE: Building an Extension: Beginner’s Guide)
We all know snow (as well as rain and wind) can cause havoc with travel, and if you are working with builders travelling some distance to your site, there can be delays. In some instances, it may not be possible for tradespeople to get to your property or site, meaning work needs to be rescheduled.
Not only can this affect your project’s timeline, but delays in the schedule can also cost money.
Forecasters say up to 5cm of snow could fall in some areas, and the Met Office has put weather warnings in place for the next three days. Be sure to monitor the weather in your area in case you need to make adjustments to your build programme.
Don’t Let Your Site Problems Snowball
Safety is ultimately paramount. You and your tradespeople don’t want to risk injury working in dangerous conditions outside. If conditions are unsafe then it’s best, if possible, to focus on another part of your project, such as the interior.
If, however, you are not directly affected by the snow but concerned about the weather affecting your project, here are five things you can do to keep your project on track.
- Anticipate the time of year when the UK is most vulnerable to cold weather, and try to adjust your work schedule to avoid working in colder temperatures
- Utilise floodlights and site heating to ensure that full days can be maintained when there is limited daylight
- Protect your tools and equipment: in the increased hours of darkness thieves are more likely to try their luck
- Stagger deliveries from tradespeople to avoid high-value items and materials sitting around in bad weather
- Liaise with tradespeople over the safety problems facing your project in the winter, and mitigate these issues where possible
Renovators can also take additional steps to prepare their properties for winter conditions.
Winter weather can cause a variety of problems, so planning for these in advance can mitigate the disruption mid-build, and protect your home once completed.