---
title: "Spring Construction Season Preparation Checklist | AVANORTH"
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AVANORTH Home
**Construction Tips**·March 12, 2026· 3 min read
# **Spring Construction Season: Your Preparation Checklist**
Spring is the busiest season for construction in Canada. Proper preparation before the season starts can save tens of thousands of dollars and months of delays.
**AVANORTH Team**
AVANORTH Construction
In Ontario and across much of Canada, the construction season follows a natural rhythm dictated by climate. Winter slows or stops outdoor work. Spring is when projects launch, foundations get poured, excavations begin, and the industry shifts into high gear. Projects well prepared in spring run smoothly for the rest of the year. Projects that start unprepared face compounding delays through every subsequent month.
> **The Math:** In a 6-month building season, losing one month to poor preparation means losing _16 percent_ of your available construction time. That translates to tens of thousands of dollars in carrying costs alone.
---
## Pre-Season Checklist
### 1. Permits and Approvals
Building permits take longer than most people expect. Plan accordingly:
| Permit Type | Typical Processing Time | When to Submit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Residential building permit | 10-30 business days | January-February |
| Commercial building permit | 60-90+ business days | Previous fall |
| Site plan approval | 3-6 months | 6+ months before start |
| Demolition permit | 5-15 business days | 6 weeks before demo |
- Confirm all drawings and engineering reports are complete and submitted
- Check for outstanding conditions of approval
- Apply for supplementary permits: demolition, fill, noise exemption, road occupancy, utility connections
### 2. Site Investigation
Before breaking ground, verify actual site conditions:
- **Geotechnical investigation:** Soil borings inform foundation design, excavation methods, and dewatering needs
- **Utility locate:** Contact Ontario One Call to identify all buried utilities on and adjacent to the property
- **Topographic survey review:** Winter grading, snow accumulation, and seasonal water levels may have changed conditions since fall
- **Environmental constraints:** Species-at-risk nesting periods (many are spring-specific), tree protection, erosion and sediment control requirements
---
### 3. Budget and Financing
Construction costs fluctuate seasonally. Material prices in spring 2026 may differ significantly from estimates prepared in fall 2025.
1. Get updated pricing from suppliers for concrete, steel, lumber, and fuel
2. Confirm subtrade pricing (subcontractors may have adjusted rates)
3. Verify financing and draw schedules are in place
4. Include contingency: 10-15% for renovations, 5-10% for new construction
### 4. Team and Subcontractors
Every qualified subcontractor books up quickly in spring. Failing to lock in your trades early can delay your project by weeks or months.
- Confirm all subcontractor commitments in writing (signed subcontracts or purchase orders)
- Confirm start dates and durations for each trade
- Verify insurance and WSIB clearances for every subtrade
- Assign key personnel: superintendent, project manager, safety officer
---
### 5. Equipment and Materials
> **Pro Tip:** Order long-lead materials now. Structural steel, engineered wood products, windows, doors, and mechanical equipment can have lead times of 8 to 16 weeks or more.
- Confirm delivery dates with suppliers and coordinate with the construction schedule
- Arrange equipment rentals well in advance (spring demand drives up rates)
- Inspect and service all owned equipment before the season starts
### 6. Safety Planning
- Update the project-specific safety plan for the new site
- Confirm training certifications: Working at Heights, WHMIS, equipment operator
- Establish emergency response plan: hospital location, emergency contacts, muster point
- Order PPE and safety equipment: hard hats, fall protection, fire extinguishers, first aid kits
- Schedule a pre-start safety orientation for all workers
### 7. Site Preparation
| Task | Timeline | Who |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Construction fencing and signage | 1 week before start | General contractor |
| Temporary facilities (office, washrooms, bins) | 1 week before start | GC / rental companies |
| Erosion and sediment controls | Before any ground disturbance | GC / environmental |
| Site access for trucks | Coordinate with municipality | GC / traffic control |
| Temporary power and water | 2-4 weeks before start | Utility companies |
---
> **AVANORTH Approach:** We begin spring preparation in January. By the time the frost leaves the ground, our permits are in hand, teams assembled, materials ordered, and sites ready to go. Planning is what separates projects that finish on time from those that don't.
#spring #planning #checklist
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