6 TIPS FOR BUILDING AN EXTENSION THROUGH WINTER

Creating your dream project during the coldest months isn't for the faint-hearted. Follow these six essential tips to help survive bad weather and to mitigate delays

- WORDS: SARAH HARLEY.

Having an extension built can be stressful – especially in winter, when inevitable delays and extra costs add strain to your project. Whether it's snow, ice, rain or wind, the winter weather can have a fundamental impact on how well your extension goes to plan. Luckily, while you can't control the weather, being prepared for all eventualities can help mitigate some of the risks, and reduce the possibility of problems.

Although building an extension in winter is usually problematic, if you're brave enough to withstand everything the season can throw at you, it can have its benefits. 'One advantage of carrying out building works in winter can be that it is generally a slower time of year for the trade,' says Charlie Avara, founder of Build by Charlie, 'because fewer people are inclined to undertake works that might mean living with the cold.'

However, building through the winter comes with some inherent issues that simply can't be ignored. 'Depending on the works being undertaken it can mean that you might be without heat or hot water, or have an opening in your home during cold or wet weather,' says Charlie. 'Unless you can stay with friends or family, you might need to find a hotel or Airbnb, which can add to the cost of your project.'

'Additionally some materials can be harder to work with in cold weather,' she continues. 'The concrete for your extension foundations, for example, should not be used when temperatures are expected to be below three degrees before it has set. At very low temperatures the mortar and brick may not bond effectively, leaving the works at a greater risk of suffering problems.'

And it's not just the weather that can cause a problem. 'Fewer daylight hours can reduce the amount of time that it is feasible to work on site, or mean that you might need to provide extra lighting to allow your team to work safely,' she adds.