Scope of work
The scope of work is an important factor to consider when building pools year-round. When thinking about this type of construction schedule, the following should be considered:
Is the project large enough in terms of the work to be completed as well as complexity? For instance, a small-scale project spanning one month of work may not prove cost effective for winter construction; however, a large-scale project spanning six months would be.
What tasks can be performed in inclement weather, and what precautions should be taken?
Budget
The reality is, winter construction costs more and these expenses are typically taken on by the builder. Therefore, mitigating expenses is important, but it can be tricky to perfect. Pool builders should not expect their first winter construction project to go according to plan or on budget. Further, they should not expect the homeowner to be on board with paying the additional fees either.
Laying out the costs up front, in the project bid or contract, could potentially sway them. So can listing how much time can be saved and the benefit to the client of not having to look out their window on a hot summer’s day and seeing their pool under construction.
Some homeowners undertaking large-scale projects will be willing to pay a premium to have their pool constructed over the winter. This allows them to have complete use of their outdoor space once summer arrives. When budgeting for winter construction the following factors should be considered:
- Temporary construction tenting (e.g. rental units, custom site fabricated units, lighting, etc.).
- Heating (e.g. heater rental, fuel, and maintenance).
- Site preparation (e.g. insulated blankets or tarpaulins, hydronic heaters, frost removal by excavation).
- Special winter products (e.g. winter concrete mixes, admixtures).
- Snow removal (e.g. machine rental, snow hauling, de-icing salt).
- Material storage (e.g. tenting and heating of materials).
- Overtime labour and reduced productivity costs.
Location
A project’s physical location may determine whether it lends itself well to winter construction. Erecting temporary construction tenting requires a significant amount of space. Storing construction materials and equipment on-site can also be challenging, as space is usually at a premium. Even simply plowing, moving, and stockpiling snow and ice on-site requires significant real estate.
Schedule
Projects with a construction period of four to eight months are especially suited for winter construction. These projects ultimately require a significant amount of time between commencement and completion.
Keep in mind, a project being built in the summer may require three months to finish, while the same pool constructed during colder months may require double the amount of time. Scheduling certain project components over the winter will aid in alleviating the potential backlog than can be experienced in the spring from unexpected delays and inclement weather.
Tasks should be scheduled in a manner as to not jeopardize the quality of the end product. Some examples include:
- Site excavations can take place providing the ground is not frozen.
- Concrete can be formed and placed with the proper preparation and curing techniques.
- Finishing details can be performed such as tiling and stonework, but should only be attempted if a suitable temporary heated structure is in place. Most adhesive manufacturers recommend their products should not be applied in temperatures below 10 C (50 F), with a minimum cure time before subject to freezing temperatures.
Builders should expect every task to take longer than it would if it was completed during the warmer months; therefore, allocating additional time to each task serves to mitigate risk.
Type of project
In colder climates, pool builders are incorporating features that were thought to be only possible in regions with warmer weather where the limitations are fewer. Backyard landscapes have evolved far beyond the simple pool, landscaped patio, and garden. Extravagant water features have become the norm, and are fully equipped with all the bells and whistles.
That said, certain types of projects are ideal for winter construction— especially indoor pools. Ideally, the main structure of the pool area is completed in the fall, with possibly some aspects of the pool also complete. When winter arrives, a roof may already be overhead allowing work to be completed in a heated structure without requiring the use of temporary construction tenting.
A home that is constructed in tandem with a pool/landscape is also ideal, as most trades will be working year-round anyways, so much of the infrastructure will already be in place. One of the main benefits in these scenarios is the fact the homeowner does not live on-site, so the added pressure of hastily completing the project may not be present to the same extent as it would during the summer.
