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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to complain about my neighbour's builders starting work at 9 on a Sunday morning?

47 replies

ogredownstairs · 07/04/2013 11:32

especially as they aren't living there (they moved out to avoid noise and disruption!) Incredibly noisy, sledge hammering, stone cutting, cement mixer, loud radios etc. Has been going on since December, Mon-Sat 7.30-4.30. But not usually Sundays. Now very pissed off!

OP posts:
shellbu · 07/04/2013 11:33

think 9 is ok , quicker they finish less noisy it will be .

Sirzy · 07/04/2013 11:34

its a one off (it being on a sunday) so they are probably behind schedule. 9 isn't that early.

CSIJanner · 07/04/2013 11:34

Talk to your environmental officer. They can make recommendations which can be enforced. That's harsh though - going from 6 days a week of noise to 7...

HollyBerryBush · 07/04/2013 11:35

People have to earn a living. Plus if the neighbours have moved out, builders working on Sundays will mean one less day paying for a hotel, or living in a relatives spare room.

mrsjay · 07/04/2013 11:35

id be pissed off too but 9 really isn't that early to start work but I can see how it is driving you mad working on a sunday should be banned day of rest and all that Grin

expatinscotland · 07/04/2013 11:36

9 sounds reasonable.

WilsonFrickett · 07/04/2013 11:36

9 is allowed on a Sunday ::bitter experience::

Icelollycraving · 07/04/2013 11:37

I think 9am is ok but I can understand the noise must be intrusive every day.

olivertheoctopus · 07/04/2013 11:37

I think 9am on a Sun is allowed. Annoying but allowed.

Original poster
ogredownstairs · 07/04/2013 11:37

Hmm. You are a very reasonable lot. Think it's the cumulative effect of months of constant noise that's pissing me off rather than the one-off Sunday itself. We need a break.

OP posts:
HeyLuciani · 07/04/2013 11:40

I think they are not supposed to do noisy work on Saturday afternoons or anytime on Sundays (from what I remember of our own works), except for emergencies. Some info re noise regulations here:
www.westminster.gov.uk/services/environment/pollution/noisepollution/noise_building/
(On phone so not sure if link will work)

Difficult one though, because I'm sure you want it over ASAP and weekend work might help it finish sooner!

Southeastdweller · 07/04/2013 11:41

9am is just about reasonable. Any earlier and I'd be very Angry

Maybe you should ask them when the work is estimated to be over?

CSIJanner · 07/04/2013 11:43

There's no specific laws but there can be local regulations. Quickly google your local regs. Failing that, bang on the door and have a word as this might be a one off or the neighbours could have asked them to hurry up, so you could have a couple of weeks of this. Ardent DIYer DHthinks 7 days constant is too much.

Original poster
ogredownstairs · 07/04/2013 11:44

Thanks Luciani - that's interesting to see. When we had our house renovated the party wall agreement etc specified no Sunday working, so I assumed this was standard, hence my annoyance. When they finally finished yesterday I heaved a sigh of relief and thought we would at least have one day to enjoy being at home in peace and quiet - couldn't believe it when the hammmering started up again while I was in the shower.

OP posts:
UnknownGnome · 07/04/2013 11:44

What on earth are they having done?? I'm guessing it's a big job?

yousankmybattleship · 07/04/2013 11:45

I think 9 is fine, but I completely understand why you're fed up with it.

JuliaScurr · 07/04/2013 11:45

Sympathy. Does it help to think what it would be like if they were DIY? Months longer to save money.
Our neighbour (AKA The Wanker) puts his music on at 9am Sunday.
Tosser. Selfish anti-social tosser.

CSIJanner · 07/04/2013 11:46

If the neighbours are doing work on the adjoining wall, then your party wall agreement comes into affect

Original poster
ogredownstairs · 07/04/2013 11:48

It's a total house renovation, extension etc. Not a basement, thankfully, but I imagine it won't be long before someone in our road does that! Thanks all. I guess I am just more unreasonable than the average mnetter!

OP posts:
Original poster
ogredownstairs · 07/04/2013 11:49

ps Juliascurr - you have my sympathy. I have had 2 lots of neighbours like that in the past and it was hell.

OP posts:
VerySmallSqueak · 07/04/2013 11:49

You wouldn't want to live next door to me then.

I finally dragged myself out of bed when the cockerel got stuck on crow mode.

Viviennemary · 07/04/2013 11:50

I think it is a bit early. I hate hearing lawn mowers or other garden noise early on a Sunday. Ten would be more civilised. But YANBU especially as they have removed themselves. What cheek!! I'd would ring up and complain. There are local by-laws which cover when and when you can't make a noise.

HollyBerryBush · 07/04/2013 11:50

OP, NDNs did a massive renovation project, maybe 12 years ago, involving an extension, a new garage, landscaping front and back.

I had to spend the whole summer inside, with windows closed, a new born and two pre-schoolers - be grateful your NDN is doing this in winter when you don't want to be outside.

DontSHOUTTTTTT · 07/04/2013 13:43

I would be vey suprised if they were allowed to work on Sundays. If it was DIY then it may be OK but professional builders are not allowed to work on Sundays and they WILL know it.

They are not meant to work Saturday afternoons either.

Check your local council website under noise nuisances and phone your Environmental Health Officer. There may be about of hours noise abatement team who you SOULD (?) phone now. I would also speak to the builders today and let them know that you don't want them to work on Sundays.

If they have planning permission then there may be something about permitted hours of work on it.

The builders have the rest of the week to 'make a living'. You just have one day to have some peace.

Sometimes there are occasions where it really is useful to do construction work on a Sunday, for example if you have hired an expensive bit of equipment. However, The fact that neither your nieghbours nor the builders could be bothered to speak to you and let you know what they were doing speaks volumes.

DontSHOUTTTTTT · 07/04/2013 13:44

Typo. Very not vey

Ps i forgot to say YANBU

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