Reasonable time frame in the Northeast

[mreynolds]

I am trying to put together a construction schedule for my house for next year. I know I need to set time goals to keep eveything on track. What I am a little fuzzy about is when can I realistically start the project. Summer time is easy because we have great weather, but what about the spring. I live in NW PA, at what point in the spring can I safely break ground for my house? How wet is too wet? How does freezing and thawing of our snowy winter effect my project? The task list I am modeling mine after is at the following web site.
http://www.b4ubuild.com/resources/schedule/6kproj.shtml

[Rich]

I would say to start clearing and grubbing right after the first thaw. Most of the time that would be in or around March. If there is an early thaw where the ground will begin to thaw you would be alright to begin excavation. Is what you don't want is to get the hole dug and let it set through a whole winter. Typically, even if there is frozen ground, you will be digging beneath it.. as long as you don't leave it uncovered too long and it begins to freeze or there is a long drawn old cold spell.
Saying all that - it just depends on what the weather does.
Too wet is a bog. Freeze / thaw - as stated above typically you will be digging below frostline - as long as you don't let it sit too long and freeze the fresh excavation. I would say no earlier than March unless you have a mild winter.

[plunkinberry]

What you can expect and when you can expect to start on these tasks is very weather dependant. How much do you plan to do on your own?

Clearing and grubbing can be accomplished while the ground is still frozen. I, personally, would do it myself and save the money. Additionally, you'll have a bit of extra time due to the bad weather.

Depending on the extent of the excavation required, this too may be able to be done before the weather "breaks". What part of northwestern PA are you in? If you're above I80 and get a lot of the lake effect weather, you may have to wait a bit longer. Weather north of I80 is a bit more harsh than surrounding areas...

Honestly, based on the link you provided, I'd think you can do everything through #49 (or so) before the weather breaks and the ground thaws. You may have to wait a few weeks until the mud dries sufficiently to continue work... But, if you are doing the overall coordination and managing the subs, they may be interested in starting sooner rather than later. Work with the subs; they'll tell you when they will or won't get started.

I've me a lot of excavators that don't work in the winter, but know an equal number that take advantage of the frozen ground for equipment access. Some really just don't care. Additionally, talk to those subs doing the footings/foundation/block work and see what they want to do and when they want to get started. I know lots of masons that don't mind a little mud (pun intended).

My home was built during the winter (started in November and finished in February) and except for ruining the furnace with drywall dust (don't get me started there...) everything went fine.