How Do I Prevent Renovation Delays During Cold Months?
Winter can be a profitable time to flip, fewer borrowers are competing for distressed properties, more contractor availability, and faster closings. But cold weather also brings seasonal risks that can slow projects down, increase holding costs, and cut into your margins if you’re not prepared.
The good news? With smart planning and the right systems, you can keep your winter renovations moving efficiently, even when temperatures drop.
1.Plan Weather-Sensitive Work Early
Anything that requires warm temperatures must be completed before freezing weather hits, or scheduled for a warm stretch.
This includes:
Exterior painting
Roofing
Masonry work
Driveways, concrete, and foundation pours
Window installations
Siding and caulking
Pro tip: Save interior jobs (flooring, drywall, paint, trim) for the coldest days.
2. Protect Your Job Site from Freezing
Cold temperatures can damage materials and slow drying times, especially when heat isn’t on yet.
Make sure to:
Keep the heat on at all times once plumbing is active
Insulate exposed pipes
Use temporary heaters during work hours
Seal drafts with plastic sheeting or temporary insulation
Store paints, adhesives, and flooring indoors
A single frozen pipe can cost thousands and weeks.
3. Order Materials Earlier Than Usual
Winter = shipping delays, supplier shortages, and holiday slowdowns.
Avoid timeline disasters by ordering early:
Cabinets: 6-10 weeks delay
Windows: 4-12 weeks delay
Appliances: 2-8 weeks delay
Flooring and tile: can be unpredictable during the holidays
Order everything as soon as the project starts - not halfway through the rehab.
4. Build a Weather-Proof Schedule
Successful winter flippers schedule like pros.
Break your timeline into two categories:
Weather-Dependent Tasks
Exterior paint, roofing, concrete, landscaping, gutters, decks.
Weather-Proof Tasks
Drywall, interior paint, cabinets, electrical, plumbing, flooring, staging.
Organize your project so cold-sensitive tasks are knocked out first - and interior work fills the gaps during storms or freezing weeks.
5. Keep Communication Tight With Contractors
Delays happen in winter because crews get pulled to emergency jobs or struggle with weather conditions. Prevent issues by checking in daily or every day during the extreme cold.
Ask:
Are we waiting on materials?
Are temperatures going to impact inspections?
Can we move interior work forward while we wait?
Clear communication keeps small delays from turning into expensive ones.
6. Prepare for Inspection Delays
Cities slow down during the holidays and winter storms often push schedules.
Stay ahead by:
Booking inspections early
Having trades show up for inspector clarifications
Keeping the property heated and safe for inspection access
Confirming weather-related closures
Inspections are one of the biggest winter bottlenecks and also one of the easiest to plan for.
7. Add a contingency buffer
Even the most organized projects hit a few bumps in the winter.
Add: 10-15% extra time
10-20% room for increased budget
This protects your profits and prevents last minute panic when surprises happen behind the walls or weather shuts down exterior work.
The Bottom Line
Winter flips can be extremely profitable, if you plan around the season. The investors who win during cold months aren’t just skilled renovators; they’re planners. Keep materials ordered early, stay ahead of weather, and rely on a strong contractor network to maintain momentum even when the temperature drops.
How Barnett REI Finance Keeps Your Project Moving
Winter delays are expensive, especially when interest and carrying costs add up.
At Barnett REI Finance, our fix and flip loans help you stay on schedule with:
Fast draws
Flexible timelines
Funding designed for each investor’s needs
Call 224-205-7266 to fund your next winter renovation with confidence.