What are you supposed to do about building work disrupting your neighbours?

[DanHumphreyIsA]

We are beginning to plan for an extension in the next year or two. It is only at the stage of ‘thinking about it’ so nothing set in stone. But I like to overthink, so would appreciate some insight!

I’ve read quite a few threads on here, old and recent, about people being disrupted and finding noise from work next door unbearable.
I’m just wondering, what do you do about it if its your house causing the disruptions?

I can appreciate how awful the noise can be, and sometimes how uncomfortable it can be to have lots of random builders etc about. I’ve been through the situation of finishing a night shift with a migraine and coming home to someone drilling the concrete nearby!

But I kind of always thought its just something that could be inevitable? Especially in an area with old houses (like ours)..

When we had internal works done, I put a note through to the NDNs apologising for the noise in advance. And they seemed pretty happy with that.
But this was just a few days a week here and there, whereas the extension would take a lot longer, and if we go ahead with it, the kitchen will be done at the same time. So more noise?

It’s a very quiet street, and whilst we say a friendly ‘hello’ to everyone, we’re still relatively new here so aren’t really in the position of telling the neighbours our future plans!

So, how do you compensate for being the source of disruption? Do you just get on with it as its a part of life or is there a general rule of thumb on how to be neighbourly about it?
What do you do if the NDNs do complain about unbearable noise?

Also, not sure if it makes a difference but the extension would just be in our back garden, and a single storey so it wouldn’t be affecting anyone else’s property, not that I can think of anyway!

There aren’t any neighbours with babies, or visiblly pregnant, but I suppose there could be by the time we come to it. So what we do in this situation?

If you’ve been the neighbour having to put up with it, what would you have liked?

[Seeline]

I think people have to accept a certain amount of disruption when others are doing building work. You can help by making sure that neighbours know about it in advance (particularly if something particularly disruptive is happening on a certain day), making sure that the builders stick to the accepted hours of work, trying to make sure neighbours aren't annoyed by being blocked in by builders lorries, deliveries etc, rubbish is cleared away regularly and not allowed to blow into people's garden etc. Otherwise, I think it's probably a case of getting on with it as quickly as possible.

[Cacofonix]

Yes you just have to be open with them. So let them know before you submit plans to the council. Answer any questions you have. Ensure whichever builders you choose act considerately and never work over their hours. Ensure site is kept clean. Let them know if a particularly noisy job (packing down hardcore for example) is about to be done. Constantly apologise for any disruption and bribe with wine/fizz at some point.

[Cacofonix]

*they have not you re questions.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

Depending on where you live, minimise any disruption to their parking and access, even if that means you have to park in the next street.
Don't keep any onstreet slips blocking parking for longer than strictly necessary.
If you are doing any landscaping, make sure your contractor clears up any mud from the road.
Keep an eye or ear on use of radio by contractors. Ask them to turn it down.

If work is messy or dusty, pay for neighbour's windows to be cleaned at end of works. Maybe during as well.

[SilverSpot]

Let them know in advance.
Let them know if something really loud is going to happen.
Don't block the pavement/road/their driveway.
Clean up the pavement/road if you get it dirty.
Keep a tight control over your builders re shouting / language / radio - residential and consideration not building site.
Don't do stuff at the weekends or antisocial hours.
Invite them round for a glass of wine and a nosey at the end! I love a nosey at my neighbours extensions.

[pallisers]

our poor neighbours had it for about 6 months. We had moved out. what helped was:

We told the builder that our priority was our neighbours so to do what they wanted (didn't always work with the subs - my neighbour on one side had a few fights with them)

We stopped by regularly and asked if everything was ok and dropped off bottles of wine and thank you for putting up with the noise notes.

We had a great relationship with them before hand.

[Baxdream]

We put a note through before we started. They have complained when we had work done on a Sunday (understandably!). We’ve since told the builders to not work or do quiet work on a Sunday.
I also agree with making sure the paths are clear of rubble.
Most houses near here have had work done so I don’t feel guilty. Ours is a big extension

[VictoriaMcdade]

Our neighbours are having a lot of work done at the moment. Yes, it has been noisy. But in general it has been fine because they let us know what they were planning, told us the timeline, and the builders have been really good. They are Very polite, keep pavements and access clean, no swearing, just the occasional bout of terrible singing!

If you have neighbours you have to put up with this. It also helps that we really like our neighbours though, and they have been very apologetic about the work, even when there has been no need.

Folk down the road had work done and it pissed off the whole street as their builders were asshats. Lots of aggressive driving/ parking. They blocked the road constantly, and left the pavements covered in various building materials.

[DanHumphreyIsA]

Thank you everyone. It seems that as long as you’re reasonable, others are reasonable back. Who would have thought it?

We have a good relationship with immediate neigbours in the sense that we’re all considerate with noise, we say ‘morning’, take the bins in etc. So hopefully I am just worrying over nothing!

[didireallysaythat]

Don't let your builders work Saturday pm or Sundays. It's what most councils will expect so will minimise complaints about noise

[Booagain]

I put a note through people's doors to say sorry in advance for any distrusting and the date that the builders had quoted to start / finish. For immediate next door, they got a huge box of chocs. Though I have to say put builders were incredible and never worked past 4.30pm and never on weekends.

[Booagain]

Distrusting?! I meant disturbing!

[GeorgeTheHamster]

What everyone else has said. Also - tell the builders no radios. Put it in the contract.