Snow Problem: Why Winter Digging is Just Fine

One of the most common misconceptions in home building is that construction has to come to a halt during the colder months. Many people believe that digging and laying a foundation in the winter is a bad idea—but that’s simply not the case! At Buffum Homes, we know that winter doesn’t mean stopping progress. In fact, we keep building all year round, ensuring our clients stay on track to move into their dream homes.

Yes, You Can Dig and Lay a Foundation in the Winter

The reality is that modern construction methods allow us to dig and pour foundations even when temperatures drop. With the right equipment and experience, we can ensure that the ground is properly prepped, preventing frost from impacting the process.

While extreme conditions can sometimes cause minor delays, winter digging is entirely feasible and won’t compromise the integrity of your home’s foundation. In fact, our team is experienced in working through Michigan’s unpredictable weather, ensuring everything is done correctly no matter the season. The owners of Buffum Homes have even dug their personal homes in the winter, proving firsthand that it can be done successfully.

What May Need to Wait Until Warmer Weather?

While we can dig and lay a foundation in cold weather, certain aspects of the build—such as flatwork—are often better left for the spring. Driveways, patios, and sidewalks require specific temperature conditions for proper curing, which is why we may need to push those finishing touches to warmer months. However, this doesn’t slow down the progress of your home itself! Your home can still be fully built and ready for move-in, with exterior flatwork completed as soon as conditions allow.

Keeping the Momentum Going

Building through the winter means you’re not waiting months just to break ground. Instead of delaying your dream home until spring, starting in the winter keeps the process moving so that your home is further along when warmer weather arrives.

That said, there does come a point where it is simply too cold to dig, and in those cases, we wait until conditions improve slightly. We aren’t in control of the weather, but scheduling a dig and rescheduling due to extreme cold isn’t a consistent issue. However, it’s also not completely rare. Our team closely monitors conditions to ensure we’re making the best decisions for your home’s foundation and overall build timeline.

At Buffum Homes, we take pride in maintaining efficiency and quality, no matter the season. So, if you’re thinking about building but worried about the cold, don’t be! We’re here to guide you every step of the way and ensure that progress never stops.

If you have questions about building during the winter or want to secure a lot for your future home, reach out to us today!

Image below is a basement being dug in our Planter’s Ridge Community in Byron Center, MI. Going to be a stunning home!