New Home Costruction - digging and foundation? I am buying a new construction surrounded by a new nouns. ...
I am buying a new construction surrounded by a new nouns. The weather just turned into winter this week (four weeks after the contract be signed) and they have not but dug a hole to lay a foundation. Is it true that the outside temp. must be above 32 degrees to do any digging and foundation lay? We must close before Memorial Day, is this a believable expectation?
Answers: Your best bet is to hold it off until the weather is atleast within the 40's at night. You don't want the concrete to freeze. Additives to concrete aid with not freezing and some companies even mix melt water so it sets up faster contained by cold weather. I would not buy a house if it was on so tight of a calendar that it compromised the buildings integrity, tightness, and workmanship. If the builder can't hold off, linger for another house and let someone else get hold of the runt.
Concrete basically cures above 40 degree. Then you have to consider the ground is extremely muddy and will not dry out consistently any time soon. You can close early, but I would not expect occupation until mid June at the earliest. Another way to look at it is what benign of a house will you get if it is slapped together beneath an unreasonable time schedule. Just be lenient and make sure it is done right.