Is it common decency to inform neighbours who wfh about loud noises?

It’s not really about intolerance, it’s about human decency, which there seems to be a distinct lack of these days. There is no obligation to inform neighbours of noisy work, but taking a few moments to pop round and let them know is both considerate and polite. It also helps to build good relationships with neighbours, which go a long way in living in harmony

nah

Only on Mumsnet is there so much tiptoeing around neighbours. I've moved regularly (over 20 houses and flats) never once have I had a heads up from a neighbour nor given one and all been fine. It's just part of living in the world. My feeling is, you start this, you hand power over to people who will then feel emboldened to enforce their will on you. Noise is normal. they have nothing to prepare you for or apologise for

If you rtft you'll see there's a childminder.

A longer term project like an extension yes I would but not for the type of work you describe.

True. But perhaps common decency and politeness might dictate popping round just to say there is going to be a bit of noise for a few days. Being considerate goes a long way

No I wouldn't inform because I wouldn't have a clue whether my neighbours wfh, a hybrid or no work at all.

Could also argue that moaning on the internet after 3 hours of noise is sign of increasing intolerance.

We would let people know. But people around us don’t give a shit. One neighbour was told by their builder to warn the neighbours about dust and one just blocked us in to build their driveway. If they had said we would have happily moved off the drive for the day.

So you're working from home and looking after nap aged children at the same time?

This is why bosses are asking people to come back to the office.

If it’s just a day of work, I wouldn’t call it inconsiderate of them. Ok you work from home, but many people work from here and noise isnt an issue (if you’re just programming on a computer for example). I guess if they are fully aware of the type of work you do, and that it requires relative quiet, and that the work will take several hours, then yes a heads up would have been nice.

It would be nice, but generally, I wouldn't hold my breath.

YANBU to think it's the nice thing to do. It would have been helpful and neighbourly to let you know. However I think that's all it is, a nice to do not a need to do, given it's just for one day.

You are more unreasonable having a child at home when you are supposedly working

On the noise issue, I am experiencing similar today. I have no idea what is going on outside but there has been constant drilling all morning. No notice given and I have just said to people on calls apologies if you hear any background noise. I have just dealt with it.

If you have the luxury of wfh then you need to accept that the lives of your neighbours still goes on while you work

@Pouche you don't think we actually believe that's your photo?????

No, I wouldn't bother informing them.

Yes it is neighbourly to let people know when there is going to be excessive noise or disruption.

I wouldn't bother.

I told my neighbours before our extension work began, as that was to be a 4-5month project and I knew the various vans and equipment parking was likely to piss them off (not that those vans don't have a right to park on the road where they did). They already knew we were planning the extension anyway, from the planning permission notices.

For general other household noise and work. Nope. Never told them. And we've had quite a lot done in the past few years. My thinking is that noise in the day hours is fine and should be expected. If it was noisy in the evenings/night then I'd give them a heads up.

edit to add:
I WFH
I have young kids

I think it is common decency; I agree with you that a heads up would have been the neighbourly thing to do. Sadly, the voting and early responses give yet another indication that society is crumbling 😞 if nobody has common decency anymore then we are all doomed. As a dear friend of mine said sometime ago: “Manners cost nothing.”

Long time remote worker here. My neighbours and I would generally let each other know stuff like that regardless. Nothing to do with work or kids.

I think it is polite to inform neighbours regardless, but I wouldn’t personally be annoyed or upset by it.

Wouldn't even cross my mind for one day's work. A long job, yes of course, not for a single day. Wouldn't annoy me to be on the receiving end either. Houses need upkeep, everyone takes their turn to be the ones with work happening.

Its polite to let your neighbours know if you are getting big or noisy works done.

It doesn't mean they shouldn't get the work done and I don't think there is any need to be quiet just because people wfh or have small children.

Its just polite to give a heads up.

The regulations don’t apply to residential gardens so you can cut anytime. Obviously it’s best not to in nesting season but maybe they checked for nests before the work