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Original poster

Building work - what is reasonable

36 replies

ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 20:04

What's reasonable noise wise. Environmental Health talks about 8am - 6pm.

How would you feel (in a semi) if your neighbour had builders in from 7:30-7:30. Noise so disruptive 75% of the time that you couldn't hear yourself on the phone and you can feel the vibration at your desk at the absolute opposite side of the house!!!

How long would you let it go on for before you said something - nice enough neighbours, an extension project rather than emergency work. I presume the noise relates to cutting an opening, hefty drilling and cutting through brick/concrete.

This is day 2 and I am really sick of it. I gather it is a three/four week project but even so it is pushing my bloody boundaries.

I am a reasonable person but I think the hours of work are unreasonable!!!

OP posts:
rwalker · 02/03/2022 20:07

Thing is if they start later and finish earlier they will be at it longer . There isn't a quite way to do some work

Original poster
ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 20:16

Appreciate that but I am not sure I am ok with it to be honest!!

Emergency = fine.

Non emergency work for 12 noisy vibrating hours a day isn't so fine with me at the minute - I couldn't do three/four weeks of 12 hour noisy days that interrupted my work every day.

OP posts:
TellMeMoreHellebore · 02/03/2022 20:18

The earlier they start the quicker a job is finished.

If they are decent builders that is, as most are In demand. Not their problem so many WFH now really

TellMeMoreHellebore · 02/03/2022 20:19

Can you not take yourself in to work or to an Internet cafe for some of the time?

Original poster
ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 20:23

I can't work in an Internet cafe, my work involves secure systems/information. My role is home based.

WFH isn't the problem here, the 12 hour noisy vibrating days next door are the problem. Builders pricing a job on a 12 hour day isn't my problem either!!!

OP posts:
Quitelikeit · 02/03/2022 20:28

There is only so much noise like you describe from an extension (I say this as someone who has had one).

Complaints will get you nowhere. Wear headphones/turn your radio up/ this problem won’t matter in the future so take the high road (or choose to be grumpy)

Nicknacky · 02/03/2022 20:29

But even if the work was 8-6 it’s still going to disturb you.

On the bright side, the noisy work won’t last long!

MacaroniCheeseCat · 02/03/2022 21:07

Can you talk to your neighbours about exactly what is being done, so you know when the worst of the noise will happen? Our neighbours were pretty good at warning us when the worst of the noise would take place when they had work done - for one 8 week project there were two or three really noisy days at the start. It can help to know when to expect the worst!

Original poster
ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 21:31

Yes, I will ask them tomorrow Macaroni. But I am also going to make it clear that I don't think 12 hours of noise a day is reasonable!!! Neither does environmental health.

Clearly, living in an attached house means we all have to rub along together. But I need to be able to work and enjoy my space too!

OP posts:
Ff10n · 02/03/2022 21:34

When you have an extension, some days are really noisy and some really aren't. It's not going to be like this continually for 4 weeks.

Nicknacky · 02/03/2022 21:35

But it isn’t their fault you are working from home.

RobynMyEmployer · 02/03/2022 21:36

It sounds frustrating but is 8-6 really going to be better? They'll still presumably be working for the entirety of your working day.

Woofwoofbarkbark · 02/03/2022 21:39

It won't be that noisy for 4 weeks.
It isn't their problem you work from home.
They can't work from home.
Ask them politely if they can have a 1 hour break during the day so you can get some peace.
Working 12 hours consistently won't be good for them either. They need to eat, drink, wee and poo in that time. They also need a break.

Icanflyhigh · 02/03/2022 21:41

I'm inclined to agree with other suggestions of taking yourself off to another location for a couple of days.

I work from home, and also work with secure systems etc, but via the citrix platform that is possible as long as you have a WiFi connection - I have mobile WiFi so can work from the back.of my car if need be.

It isn't your neighbours fault you work from home, and this construction work won't last forever.

I would suggest being patient for a while longer.

Rrrob · 02/03/2022 21:41

I think some of the comments here are a bit harsh, saying it’s not the builder’s fault you work from home..
I would chat to your neighbour and find out what they are doing/ how long is likely to be this noisy for. Perhaps they don’t realise how bad the noise is.

SpicePumpkin · 02/03/2022 21:43

I wouldn't be happy with noisy building work being done at 7:30 but I'd rather it went on till 7pm if it meant the build time is shorter. I'd probably ask them not to start any noisy work before 8am and to give an hour or so break during the day. Which they probably do anyway due to the legalities involved with working time directive. The noisy part won't be for the whole 4/5 week time frame though.

Original poster
ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 21:55

I can only work from home!! Me WFH is not the issue here really is it?? I have WFH for decades.

I'm not interested in the working rights of a self employed builder creaming in a profit, thanks.

I work in the third sector with disadvantage people, my telephone calls cannot happen in an environment that isn't secure. I have never heard of Citrix but pleased it works for those who have heard of it!!

I'll speak to my neighbour tomorrow, if they can't stick to EH guidelines I will contact my local council to ask them to advise.

OP posts:
Shitfuckcommaetc · 02/03/2022 22:00

I'm not interested in the working rights of a self employed builder creaming in a profit, thanks

Wow.
I'd lose the attitude before speaking with them!

Woofwoofbarkbark · 02/03/2022 22:01

Just so you know, self employed builders don't cream in a profit. Well some might. But most of them just earn enough to live.

And self employed people don't have many rights. So you don't need to worry about that.

arethereanyleftatall · 02/03/2022 22:07

But what do you want them to actually DO op?
They are allowed ti build an extension.
That has to happen in their house
It will be noisy
That's the facts.
Now you get to work out what will make it better for you..
You say you want shorter days? You might get that, but obviously at the cost of a longer project.

Smokeahontas · 02/03/2022 22:09

I’d take longer hours over 4 weeks than shorter over 6 or 7 weeks. I probably wouldn’t want to wreck any good will with my neighbours either.

RobynMyEmployer · 02/03/2022 22:13

You must have very decadent living expenses! Average salary for a UK builder is £43,500 according to Totaljobs.

RobynMyEmployer · 02/03/2022 22:14

@Woofwoofbarkbark

Just so you know, self employed builders don't cream in a profit. Well some might. But most of them just earn enough to live.

And self employed people don't have many rights. So you don't need to worry about that.

Doh, was quoting this post.
Original poster
ScottishAuntieMorag · 02/03/2022 22:18

I'm going to ask them to work 8-6 maximum. I need to be able to have telephone conversations. I can schedule my calls for 6-7:30pm if I need to.

My organisation can't afford for me not to work productively for a month, neither can the people we assist.

I consider that a builder planning on a 12 hour day over four weeks is charging the same as a builder working shorter days over a longer period.

As I've said before, environmental health do not support disruption over 12 hours a day either!

I'm not massively bothered about 'goodwill' tbh, I don't get involved with my neighbour and wouldn't dream of imposing 12 hours a day of noise on them, it is neither reasonable or considerate!

OP posts:
morechocolateneededtoday · 02/03/2022 22:25

You're going to get a lot further if you start by kindly requesting they give you an idea of how long the noisy work will take and if it seems like there is still a while to go, looking for a resolution together.

Going in all guns blazing will lose you the relationship with someone you have to live with in the long term. Asking nicely then being firm if they are unreasonable will get you so much further