I figured you had the pool thing covered knowing what I do of you, but just checking! As you stated it can be an unpleasant surprise for first timers.
Exactly right on the contractors... First the glitch with having to move it because they didn't get the permit done right ahead of time (which I clearly made their responsibility since we were new to area). Then we did have some weather delays where it was just too darn cold to work. I wouldn't ask anyone to work below zero F. But there's been several decent days and either nobody shows up, or just one or two guys. And now here we are Feb. and still waiting on part of the siding to be put up, garage door and opener, and the floor to be poured. Not sure what insulation I'll be putting in just yet. Electric guys have been great, they've already got their wiring run and now just waiting for the siding complete to connect it up.
For insulation, I like the spray foam stuff for something like this and do the roof as well, also better to keep the mice out but will have to see cost comparisons up here.