Nervous to ask neighbours to sign party wall agreement

[AhBiscuits]

I live in a small 4 bed semi and we're planning to get a small, single storey extension to the rear to give us a bit more space. Need the neighbours to sign a party wall agreement. I'm nervous to ask them. They're nice and we're on good terms but I can't imagine they'll be delighted that we're planning noisy building work,
If you were our neighbour, what would make you feel better about this? I was thinking of sending them the plans so they can see exactly what's happening.

Early involvement from the get go.

We only heard about our neighbour’s extension when the council dropped letters through the door. They didn’t once have a discussion with us beforehand and to be honest, it go our backs up a bit.

Take the time to explain the proposed works and when they might start. Listen to your neighbours concerns and work together to mitigate them.

I would also add that if you do get as far as construction, please make sure you’re keeping tabs on the builders contracted.

We had next door’s storing building materials in our garden. They also opted to cut messy material on our land and dumped some of the waste outside of our garden gate which we had to move. Lean to roof was also damaged after one of them decided to climb up on the sheeting to point their brickwork. None of this was agreed to, we weren’t even aware of their intentions.

Absolute nightmare from start to finish and we don’t have a good relationship with our neighbours at all now. All could have been avoided if they had just shown some care and consideration.

Ask yourself, how would you like your neighbours to treat you?

Talk to them, be open and keep an eye on your builder.

We did a loft extension and went over, talk about it and kept them updated about timing when we had the work agreed.

We also ensure that the builders knew what they were allowed and what not.

If you haven't spoken to them yet, how do you already have an Agreement prepared? They are not obliged to sign or may require amendments. Have you followed correct procedure or is that what you need help with?

If you're on good terms, invite them round for a cup of tea, show them the plans, explain you need a party wall agreement that you'll cover any costs etc. E clear you want to cause the minimum disruption. Make sure they feel able to speak up if something happens to disrupt them. Ours aren't bossom buddies with us but we get on well and this is the approach we took.

Be aware that they can appoint their own surveyor at your expense and ensure if they want to do this you do so with good grace

It's just a process, ideal if you have a chat with them first. But it's still a process to go through if they sign it saying no don't take it personally. They can choose not to say yes. Then you just figure out how to build what you need to and again don't take it personally or think they are ruining your extension. End of the day they are protecting their house etc. They might not wsnt their garden disrupted or have builders in it, again it's not personal they have a right to just not want thay and to be honest who would?