In For years, dry-in timing on Florida construction projects was largely a byproduct of other scheduling decisions: Framing progress, trade availability, inspections and weather were all managed, and dry-in happened when it happened.
Today, that hierarchy has flipped. In an environment shaped by frequent weather disruptions, tighter insurance scrutiny and rising coordination costs, many builders now schedule other activities to achieve earlier enclosure rather than treating dry-in as an outcome.
That shift isn’t driven by theory or changing building science. It reflects a growing recognition that exposure time carries real costs—and that those costs are harder to absorb in today’s construction environment.
Construction insurer USAssure points out that water damage is the No. 2 source of losson building sites (theft is first while fires are third). Reportingfrom Construction Dive online magazine puts it at No. 1:
"Water damage incidents make up over 30% of construction-related insurance claims every year and add up to approximately $16 billion in payouts annually. In response, insurance carriers are not on the fence anymore and begin to act. It’s now widely noticeable that deductibles for water-related claims are skyrocketing, rising sharply from tens of thousands of dollars a few years ago to one million dollars or more in some cases."
Similarly, research from firmsfocused on construction performance has shown that nonproductive labortime—particularly waiting, rework and disrupted workflows—has a measurableimpact on project cost and margin.
“When a project timeline extends due to rain, snow, or extreme temperatures, it affects the overall carrying cost of the project,” notes the blog of Cordulus, which sells AI-based weather prediction services. “This includes extended equipment rentals, prolonged site supervision, and ongoing administrative expenses. Moreover, delays can push a project into a different season with its own weather challenges, compounding the problem and further escalating costs.”
These concerns are not limited to Florida, of course. Nor do they make the argument that projects simply need to move faster. What they establish is a recognition that the longer a structure remains exposed and subject to uncertainty, the greater the execution risk.
But in Florida, these risks get amplified. With construction activity being heaviest from March through September, many Florida projects enter framing and enclosure phases during hurricane season, increasing exposure to storm-related delays.
Operationally, this means delays are rarely isolated. A weather interruption during framing can push back enclosure, which then affects interior trades, material storage and inspection timing. Each disruption increases coordination demands and raises the likelihood of cost overruns.
Against that backdrop, dry-in speed is more than a sequencing preference. It directly affects how early interior trades can be scheduled, whether materials can be safely stored on site and how predictable close-in milestones become.
Many contractors now treat dry-in as a stabilizing point in the schedule. Compressing framing and enclosure phases, tightening coordination between trades and sequencing work to reduce open-structure time are all ways to shorten the window of vulnerability.
The goal is not improved construction methods; it’s risk reduction—limiting the period when weather, humidity and exposure can disrupt multiple trades at once.
There are some regional nuances in the way Florida builders may think about it.
In Fort Myers, recent storm experience has heightened sensitivity to exposure. Faster dry-in may be viewed as protection not just from weather disruption, but also from extended rework and insurance complications.
In Sarasota, smaller sites and coastal proximity magnify the cost of delays. Limited room to stage materials makes faster enclosure especially valuable on constrained parcels.
In Tampa, higher project volume increases coordination and sequencing challenges. Dry-in speed helps stabilize schedules across multiple trades and reduces ripple effects from weather-related disruptions.
In Orlando, a year-round building cycle leaves fewer natural pauses. Frequent summer storms make prolonged exposure especially disruptive, reinforcing the value of closing in quickly to maintain momentum.
In response, contractors will find value by making incremental changes that reflect this shift in priorities.
Envelope and material decisions can happen earlier in preconstruction. More emphasis can be placed on delivery reliability and sequencing compatibility, with less tolerance for delays that extend exposure.
Builders might also look for ways to reduce handoffs and re-handling during enclosure, recognizing that each interruption increases the likelihood of schedule disruption. These adjustments align closely with concerns about the cost of waiting, rework and disrupted workflows—even if they aren’t described in those terms on the jobsite.
The big lesson is that as exposure, delay and rework continue to drive up costs on construction projects, Florida’s climate and insurance environment make those costs harder to absorb than in the past.
That’s why savvy builders are shifting their strategy for scheduling dry-in. What was once a downstream outcome of sequencing, labor and material decisions is now becoming a primary scheduling consideration.
Best Supply can help meet your dry-in schedule with competitive pricing, reliable on-time delivery and careful material shakeout to keep your jobsite clean, safe and running efficiently. Click here to request a quote or get in touch.