Construction is extremely hard process to put plate and finish exactly what you wanted how you wanted. If you have found the perfect building that will complete your remodeling or new construction in time and within budget, there are still few things to consider.

Besides process that you can control, we will be discussing situations that we can only prepare for to the best of our abilities. Nature cannot be controlled by humans and it can either help you with construction or make it all a nightmare.

Here are few things that On Point Remodeling team wants to want home owners about:

• Trees and roots
• Bushes
• Elevations
• Animals
• Underground waters
• Floods
• Earth shakes
• Soft soil
• Cold weather
• Hot weather

While there is no way to control weather and nature, it can be easier to predict certain obstacles with experience. Our writers with local builders can help you construct without running out of money due to incidents that involve nature.

1. Trees and Roots Expanding Towards Construction

No matter where you go, there will be trees or some sort of roots on your property. Maybe not exactly where your home remodeling or construction is, but nearby trees can still cause problems.

One of the problems is trees can be on the way where you want to build something. While in some areas and cities you can just get rid of the tree, other regions will require permit for removal.

Other problem with trees is their roots that can go under your driveway, into foundation and even drain pipes. To deal with the problem prior to planning we recommend inspecting the area and analyzing nearby trees with potential size of their roots.

Different materials can be used to protect from roots penetrating surfaces. There are ways to live in contrast with nature and saving wildlife around you.

2. Bushes That are on the Way

Small or large bushes can be on your way as well as trees. They do not create much of damage, but rather inconvenience. If some bushes are on the property before you start remodeling or addition you can easily cut them down and remove from lot.

In long process of construction that drags for months and sometimes years, bushes may grow during the process and trades that are on site do not want to deal with it. You just have to all the service or remove them by yourself. It should not cost a lot. With few hundred dollars bushes can be cut and processed.

Very inconvenient situation when large bush is split in the middle by property line from your neighbor. What do you do in this situation? Your neighbor has been enjoying nicely cut leaves or flowers for many years and you want to get rid of it, but don’t want to compromise relationship with neighbor.

3. Elevations from Flat to Steep

It’s obvious that perfect house lot for construction is flat with stable soil, but what happens when that is not the case.

To hold the house you need the load to be spread out on points that are stable in the ground with appropriate footings. In other words your construction will have concrete foundation or footings that hold either walls or posts that support the home.

Many cities in Europe and Asia are built on sloped hills or mountains with rocky and stone ground base. It’s not ideal, but there are ways to get it done in all types of elevations.

4. Animals Coming Inside

No matter where in the world you start your home construction, there will be some sort of wild life around.

There will be animals that would love to move in with you into new home, and we assume that your family or workers that are in mid process of building are not going to be happy about that.

In cold and moist areas you can get birds nesting, racoons and squirrels looking for shelter. Hotter areas can attract animals for shade and cooling down from hot sand. You can get snakes, scorpions, birds and other local animals.

In situations with animals and birds ending up on your construction project, we recommend calling animal control for proper removal. It should not cost more than several hundred dollars.

5. Underground Waters

One of the most devastating situations in construction process is to find out you have underground water after excavation. You definitely do not want your base of home sitting on pile of water. It will penetrate and come inside through concrete, blocks, bricks and any other material.

We strongly suggest doing geotechnical soil testing before you confirm all details of construction project. This will show the stability and type of soil as well as any underground water present.

These soil tests can cost several thousand dollars for average home lot. There are ways to divert underground streams or to drill support piles deep down to support construction, but it may cost tens of thousand dollars.

6. Floods from Rains and Overflows

Natural disasters scare us the most as they are unpredictable and very dangerous. One of them that cause remodeling or construction problems is a flood. It can happen almost anywhere in the world if you are on flat surface. Obviously home that are built on top of hills can only get heavily rained on.

The water can come from overflowing rivers and lakes, city water or drain lines, from mountains or elevated hills, and hurricanes with tons of rain.

The only way to prevent floods is to choose most raised level of your property for construction and avoid building under a hill or very close to water line. We feel for those who are unfortunate with devastating losses due to natural disasters.

7. Earthquakes

This is one of the rarest construction disruptions that builders and home owners experience. Earthquakes are relatively small in America, but they do happen from time to time in some areas.

Small earthquakes will not destroy your house, but rather cause damage to improperly secured materials and some parts of the building. For example vanity or kitchen may detach from the wall and fall down.

Modern construction methods with reinforced concrete and proper metal used to bounce of the load has been progressing through the years to prevent houses from falling down.

In areas that are known for earthquakes we recommend always putting extra support in load bearing walls, fastening all furniture and fixtures with tight screws and ties.

8. Soft Soil at the Bottom of Construction

Just like underground waters, the soft soil can be found during the excavation for the foundation of your new construction. Imagine how sandy ground is going to withstand the entire load of your construction home without moving or sinking through the ground.

There are ways to work any type of soil, as you can imagine massive cities like Dubai are built on deserts with only sand. In softer soil you can drill holes very deep and pour concrete right down to hold the base of house like on big legs.

On Point Remodeling recommends performing soil test before excavation to avoid surprises and unexpected expenses.

9. Cold Weather Temperatures

In states and regions with cold weather we have to be careful with timing and speed of construction. Most of the materials we use are sensitive to temperature and moisture.

If your city has winter with snow and cold temperatures for at least few months per year, we recommend starting and finishing the outer box of the house before temperature drops.

With core of home being done and enclosed with proper heating system, you can easily continue going at it through the winter, but be careful with temperature control and deliveries.

We do not recommend framing or doing concrete work during the winter because it may ruin the materials and compromise the house structure.

10. Hot Weather and Humidity

Building home or any other construction in hot weather conditions is not a walk in a park. While most materials cannot be damaged, some definitely can. Be very careful with wood and MDF products.

Everything that is made out of wood or manufactured wood looking materials can react to warm weather and humidity. This goes for floors, cabinets, doors, baseboards and even furniture.

While materials can be damaged with expansion, the most significant cost related affect is actual work. It is very difficult and even dangerous to work when it gets hot. We recommend following local health and safety recommendations for all constructions. If you are involved in work outside, make sure to take breaks and always stay hydrated.

Conclusion

Nature is our friend but can cause serious damage and delays in construction process. We feel obligated to warn all our readers with potential issues that can be caused by nature and temperature.

There are certain things and costly situations you can avoid with tests and professional experience, but some situations cannot be controlled and only carefully dealt with.

For suggestions on who to use as a builder in your area contact On Point Remodeling team and we will be glad to help with the best candidate for the job.