AIBU or is this normal? Scaffolders at 0710 on a Saturday morning.

[Inselaffe]

Last week we found out we can successfully claim on the NHBC for shoddy building which has resulted in damage to a ceiling (damp). The letter said that we must allow the contractors access during their "normal working hours" in the midweek.

Woken up at 0710 by the scaffolding going up. DP admits he had a voicemail a couple of days ago to 'discuss when to start' but he's been exceptionally busy at work and forgot to call them back.

We went out and asked them (nicely!) who they were and said we didn't realise they were coming but they just shrugged.

It's very, very noisy and obviously isn't over in the space of 5 mins so I am in no doubt that most of our neighbours have woken up as well. I now have to apologise, including to a very close friend who is 8 months pregnant and was telling me yesterday how she keeps getting woken up by outside noises A minor point is that I'm completely exhausted, this was meant to be my lie-in and now I'm up for the day and probably won't enjoy it... I'm so tired everything hurts (bad week at work) :(

So... is this normal for scaffolders? They've come all the way from Leeds and we live in the very NE so they must have got up at an insane hour. If it was 0710 in the week I'd think it was normal but I've never heard/experienced (apart from complaints in AIBU!) about builders starting this early at the weekend in a residential area?

[Inselaffe]

Should add, once I get some sleep I will be very grateful everything is moving fast - cant fault the builders' association for that, they have been brill.

[CQ]

Scaffolders, like roofers and plasterers seem to be a law unto themselves. They come at all hours of the day and night, never communicate with anyone, leave all manner of crap behind them.

This is based on my extensive research of one loft conversion

The upside is scaffolders are very very quick usually so hopefully you might get back to sleep.

[Bunbaker]

Maybe they are this early because of today's terrible weather forecast?

[SilverShadows]

My brother is a scaffolder and he has to be "on site" (at the job address) for 7am, inc Saturdays. I would say it was normal for scaffolding, but if you've had no previous experience I can see why it would be a shock.

[Lilaclily]

I'd blame your dp
Why didn't he give you the number so you could have rang?

[DocDaneeka]

Ime scaffolders start early
But usually finish quickly too.

[PseudoBadger]

Noisy work should start from 8am

[JonesRipley]

I agree that scaffolders are a lively band of roister-roisters who seem to do what they want; often in a noisy and dangerous manner

[JonesRipley]

roister-doisters

[AwkwardSquad]

It's not ideal, but like Bunbaker said, the weather forecast is for downpours today, from about 12 in the NE, so maybe that's why they're cracking on.

Re neighbours - it's not as if you're planning on doing this regularly, and you will no doubt be equally forbearing when they get work done on their houses at some future point!

[Inselaffe]

Thanks silver and everyone. I guess it is not unusual.

Have just listened to DP's voicemail. They called at 6pm on Thursday to say they would put the scaffolding up yesterday unless he called back. Yesterday would have been fine. Sounds like they are gone now but I need to get up anyway .

[afterthought]

We're having building work - the scaffolders are always early as they need to be done before the builders can start. At least it's just a one off and won't happen every day you are getting the work done.

[Inselaffe]

Thanks Awkward - I have sent a text to those I know apologising whilst it was going on. I forgot about the forecast tbh as it is so sunny outside!

[Inselaffe]

They trampled on my roses and broke them

[wonkylegs]

Scaffolders are one of the worst building trades, they do tend to be a law unto themselves and are as a group the one I've had to tell off (for dangerous practices, unacceptable behaviour & not turning up) the most in my construction career (not all are bad but many many are)
I think they are even worse on domestic jobs as we recently had some installed at our house where they obviously thought I was 'just a housewife' rather than a seasoned professional. They never turned up on time, rarely on the days they were supposed to, caused unacceptable damage and their behaviour was atrocious. They have kinda shot themselves in the foot though as I will never again use them on one of my projects, we have deducted damages from their payment & I've passed on their reputation to others.

[Freckletoes]

Yes, scaffolders always seems to work early IMO (we have had a lot put up and down over time). And weather probably contributed. But the fact your Dh didn't reply has probably not helped-the repairs are being co-ordinated by a third party so people will just want to get on and get it done I would think. Have you ever had any building work done before? Unfortunately workmen are usually just focused on getting the job done so your garden, the mess and the noise don't really ever come into it as far as they are concerned.....

[crispyporkbelly]

Illegal before 8am

[aftereight]

Normal IME. And lots of swearing involved.

[spence82]

If the scaffolding is being put up near a main street they will start early to get it put up before people start walking around.

[JonesRipley]

Once i nearly got hit by a big hunk of metal they were throwing down as they dismantled the scaffolding. The flowers in the flower bed stood no chance until I remonstrated with them

[Sallyingforth]

My experience with scaffolders has been bad as well. They seem to have no respect for people or property. They trampled over one garden to get to another, pissed and spat in the street, and were generally rude and offensive to everyone in the area.

[DollyWosits]

My scaffolders were lovely, they were very quick and were polite.
7 on a Saturday is usually ok.

[AwkwardSquad]

Damaging your roses is more than a bit off, Inselaffe. We had scaffolding put up recently and they were fine. Turned up when expected, worked fast, nothing damaged.

[wonkylegs]

Crispy - it is not illegal, it is only a civil offence if development restrictions have been put on during planning.