Spring Custom Home Prep: Planning Your New Construction as Minnesota Thaws While the snow is still retreating from Minnesota, savvy prospective homeowners know that March is the ultimate month for planning a custom home build. In Minnesota, the construction season usually begins the moment frost leaves the ground. If you wait until the first 70 degree day in May to start planning, you might find yourself at the back of a very long waitlist. That’s why planning during the winter can spring you ahead to the front of the line, so you can start construction on your custom home in Minnesota. Bigelow Homes understands the spring rush, and we’re here to guide you through some actionable steps for planning your new home construction. Spring Site Selection: Seeing the Land Spring is the best time to assess a potential lot in areas like Zumbrota or Rochester, MN. Without lush summer foliage or manicured lawns, you can see exactly what the land looks like. While inspecting the land, watch for these two points of interest: Check where the snowmelt is pooling–this will tell you if the lot has proper drainage Watch for the sun’s orientation and the location of the “thaw line” Custom Home Design Tweaks for Minnesota Seasons Your design shouldn’t be just about surviving winter–it should be about thriving in all of Minnesota’s seasons. For example, spring can be messy, so consider refining your entryway design and include a mudroom. With built-in benches and storage, you can stop the spring mud from entering your home. Another tip during the finalization of your plans is to talk to your builder about Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). These systems are essential for the spring and fall, bringing fresh outdoor air while managing humidity without stressing your air conditioning system. Some other Minnesota design tweaks include: Zero-entry features for aging in place A dedicated home office Outdoor living features to enjoy during nice weather Energy efficient design features, such as advanced HVAC systems and solar panels Mastering the Permit Timeline One of the biggest pitfalls that plague first-time home builders is the permit timeline. Municipalities in SE Minnesota get hit with a wave of permit applications in May and June. By submitting your land use and building applications in March or April, you can bypass at least 4-6 weeks of backlog that often delays summer builds. There are also “spring load restrictions” in Minnesota that can prevent heavy equipment from reaching your lot for several weeks. Finalizing your permit now means your builder can schedule delivery the literal day the weight limits are lifted. Bigelow Homes Spotlight: 40+ Years of Local Expertise At Bigelow Homes, we’ve navigated over 40 years of Minnesota seasons. We know that a successful build in Rochester, Zumbrota, or Kasson requires a deep understanding of local soil, frost depths, and municipal codes. We make it easy to build a custom home in Minnesota. We offer a library of proven floor plans that are already optimized for our climate–saving you weeks in the design phase. We also offer zero-entry design expertise to help eliminate icy steps and prevent water intrusion into your home. We also have long-standing relationships with local SE Minnesota subcontractors that mean your project stays at the top of their schedule, even when the summer rush hits. Start Your Custom Home Planning with Bigelow Homes The transition between dreaming about a custom home and digging the first hole happens faster than you think. Don’t let the summer construction rush dictate your timeline. Take advantage of the spring thaw to build your custom home with help from Bigelow Homes. Schedule a tour of our available lots or visit a model home this weekend to see how 40 years of experience can simplify your path to a custom home. Click here to schedule your private consultation today!