Why Waiting Until Spring Often Causes Delays

Waiting until spring feels like the safest choice – but when it comes to metal buildings, it often leads to longer timelines and fewer options. This quick guide explains why, so you can plan with confidence and avoid unnecessary setbacks that could push your project behind schedule.

Why Many People Want to Wait

Most customers consider waiting because winter weather feels risky. Spring sounds faster and easier and customers assume nothing can happen until warmer months. These concerns are completely understandable – winter doesn’t seem like the best time to plan construction. But here’s the part many people don’t realize: the winter months are actually the ideal time to get the process started. While installation might need to wait for better weather in some cases, the critical first steps – ordering, engineering, and manufacturing – can all happen regardless of what’s happening outside. In fact, these preparatory phases are exactly what you want to complete during winter so you’re ready to go the moment conditions improve. 

Ordering Time is Not Installation Time

Ordering and installing are two different phases, in fact, ordering simply starts the clock. Lead times start when an order is placed, and it will take a few weeks before the building is installed. Engineering, manufacturing all the parts and materials, and scheduling the day the crew will arrive all happens before your building gets installed. This usually means that orders placed before spring often install in spring and orders placed in spring often install in summer.

What Happens When You Wait

Waiting doesn’t pause the process – it moves you to the back of the line. As spring approaches, demand  increases, and manufacturers and installers begin filling their schedules quickly. Waiting often results in longer lead times, fewer available installation dates, and less flexibility if changes or adjustments are needed. In some cases, steel pricing may also increase due to market conditions or tariffs, adding additional cost to the delay. The difference between ordering early and waiting until spring comes down to control and predictability. Customers who start the process during winter typically have more flexibility, better scheduling options, and a stronger chance of securing a spring installation. Those who wait until spring face higher demand, tighter timelines, and a greater likelihood that their project will be pushed into summer.

Planning Ahead Keeps Projects on Track

Spring may feel like the right time to begin, but it’s often when delays start to appear. Winter is a great time to plan successful projects. You can go ahead and prepare your site and obtain plans for permitting before you call in, so everything is ready to go when you start the conversation about buying a metal building. By starting early, you reduce stress, avoid seasonal bottlenecks, and give your project the best chance to stay on schedule. If the goal is a smooth, predictable build, the smartest time to begin isn’t spring—it’s before it arrives.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re considering a metal building project, now is the time to start. Beginning the process early gives you more flexibility, clearer timelines, and fewer surprises when installation season arrives. Whether you’re still in the planning phase or have your site prepared and are ready to move forward, getting answers now can save you time and frustration later. Give us a call at (980) 321-9898 to get started.