Why You Need to Start Spring Construction Project Planning in Winter?

The early bird gets the worm and the proactive project manager gets a jump on construction season planning

While some spend the winter dreaming of sunny days or plotting out future gardens, those in the construction business are typically busy planning their spring project schedule.

Construction may appear to slow down during the cold and dreary days of winter, but many firms take advantage of the conditions to check off administrative tasks on their to-do lists before stepping foot on site.

Project managers will refine project scopes, fine tune construction timelines, prepare materials and review budgets at this time because it is easier – and likely less expensive – to address any gaps, risks, or potential conflicts in February than in June.

Getting ahead of procurement and supply chains

When firms plan their material and equipment procurement in the winter, they gain a critical advantage.

This allows them to get ahead of unpredictable lead times and any kinks that may pop up along the supply chain. It gives time for thorough research, to ensure that project managers are selecting the right materials for the job and are providing accurate quotes for clients with tools like QXO online.

Early procurement could be the difference between staying on schedule and falling behind before a project even begins.

Confirming specifications, locking in suppliers and coordinating delivery schedules during the winter months helps avoid getting crushed during the spring rush.

Permits, compliance and coordination

Winter is the ideal time to submit applications, secure permits and coordinate on-site inspections.

Depending on where you are in Canada, along with the size and complexity of your project, it can take between several days or many months to attain the documentation needed to legally push a project forward. Zoning variances and inaccurate applications that need to be re-submitted can add delays. Spring and summer are peak construction seasons, and the high volume of applications submitted at this time means the process can take even longer.

Take advantage of the quieter weeks of winter to file and finalize the necessary paperwork to kick start and wrap up projects without a hitch.

Workforce planning and readiness

Focusing on administrative work in the winter keeps staff at construction firms busy and staff employed during their off season.

This is the perfect time to review project pipelines, confirm schedules and align both internal teams and outside trades to make sure that builds move quickly and efficiently once they start.

Winter provides an opportunity to assess staffing needs, schedule training, renew certifications and plan for workforce availability.

This is also a chance for project owners, consultants, contractors and trades to create communication channels at project outset, which helps align expectations, and reduce change orders and surprises once construction ramps up.

Building momentum for construction projects before the thaw

The construction industry may appear to slow down in winter, but the most successful firms know this is the perfect time to build momentum.

This is when project managers can focus on planning, coordination and preparation so that contractors can hit the ground running when the snow melts and the air warms.