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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect people doing work in their houses ...

27 replies

Bridezilla3521 · 15/09/2014 19:31

That include drilling and generally being loud should stop by now?!!! (7.30pm)

A neighbour is laying a new driveway that has been going on all weekend (daytime) but seems to have started again just under an hour ago.

Still going.

DC goes to bed at 8.

Aibu to go and have a word?!?!?!

OP posts:

Writerwannabe83 · 15/09/2014 21:44

I would be very tempted!!!

maddy68 · 15/09/2014 21:50

That's really not late. I really wouldn't complain. They could have just got in from work Just because your child goes to bed early doesn't mean that their activities should be curtailed. Much in the same way as if your child woke up at 7 am I wouldn't expect them to be kept quiet until it was later to suit your neighbour. Give and take.

AdmitYouKnowImRight · 15/09/2014 21:52

Depends.

Nah.

Original poster

Bridezilla3521 · 15/09/2014 21:55

So you'd be ok if your child was trying to sleep, struggling already as they're full of a cold, and there's practically a building site going on by you?! It's going dark and still working? I also think you'll find there is a law which can stop you working that late...

OP posts:

BackforGood · 15/09/2014 21:58

Nah - presumably they've only got in from work at that time, and want to get the job finished.
It's just part and parcel of living alongside other folk - as long as they aren't doing this continually for weeks/months on end, then you just put up with it until the job is done.

MexicanSpringtime · 15/09/2014 21:58

Why don't you go round and explain nicely.

I generally consider 10 pm to be a fair cut-off time for me and my neighbours, but if someone came around and told me your story, I would be more than happy to stop for the day.

WorkingBling · 15/09/2014 22:00

I'm always a little surprised by the blasé attitude to noise on here.

I would take it very badly if my neighbour was drilling past 8 pm. And we would not dream of doing similar. Similarly, we don't allow ds into the garden first thing in the morning. Surely part and parcel if living close to people is a little consideration?

BackforGood · 15/09/2014 22:05

Yes, but, in most people's thinking, 6.30 - 7.30 (when OP posted) isn't a time when you need to think about curtailing any noise that jobs you are doing might create.
If he were still making a racket now, then it would be different.

concernedaboutheboy · 15/09/2014 22:09

Well, it's not ideal but live and let live, eh?

Your neighbour won't know about yr child's cold, will he?

chances are they have hired machinery to do it themsrlves and they're therefore ob borrowed time.

TheBloodManCometh · 15/09/2014 22:13

I would say 9pm is a reasonable time. Stopping at 7-7.30 would mean less than an hours work for most people

crazylady321 · 15/09/2014 22:14

We have to put up with all sorts of noise round here tonight its dogs barking, luckilly doesnt effect my kids sleeping (must be used to it) but it does effect me.
Last week my next door were decorating and scraping paper off up until midnight right behind where my boys bunk beds are that did disturb them but first time ever had an issue, I was really annoyed but they are generally good neighbours and I know they work long hours so guessing they were grabbing the opportunity.

If there is noise outside what about trying a kids music cd to distract, Ive done that in the past and I know it works for me

Artandco · 15/09/2014 22:16

Sounds fine, most people aren't home until 7pm from work.

Officially you have to be respectful of noise between 11pm and 7am only.

I would expect drilling to stop by 9/10pm I suppose.

McFox · 15/09/2014 22:18

I think you're overreacting, if they are finished by 9pm that would seem reasonable to me.

kinkymouse · 15/09/2014 22:20

If you work until 5/6 then commute home I don't think 9pm is unreasonable to work up to.

Your children don't trump other peoples lives. The same as 9am on a Sunday morning is reasonable for children to scream in the garden. Adults lie ins don't trump children's fun at a weekend.

Live and let live.

toothlessoldhag · 15/09/2014 22:21

I hope it's stopped by now, but I'd check your local council as as far as I understand it, building work shoul not be going on that late. See here for example www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decEH/NoiseFrequentlyAskedQuestionsFAQs.htm#17

There should be an emergency number you can call under Environmental Health on your council website.

smallblackcat · 15/09/2014 22:24

YANBU Building work in my area is limited to similar hours as above poster.

WorraLiberty · 15/09/2014 22:25

I think 9pm is a sensible time too.

WorraLiberty · 15/09/2014 22:28

Toothless, from the link you posted....

Q- My neighbour has complained to me about DIY noise. What can I do?

A- Try and talk to your neighbour about what you are doing and how long the project is likely to last.
A- Apologise for the disturbance caused.
A- Try to reach an agreement on times for carrying out work.
A- Avoid DIY in the early morning or evening when neighbours may be trying to sleep. We recommend no earlier than 9am at weekends and no later than 9pm in the evenings for noisy work such as drilling and banging.
A- When there is particularly noisy work let your neighbour know well in advance so that they can arrange to go out if they wish.

LiverpoolLou · 15/09/2014 22:31

Those set times for building work only apply to contractors not private individuals doing it themselves.

Bowlersarm · 15/09/2014 22:35

If they're doing a job they probably want to crack on and get it finished. They only need one new driveway so it won't be ongoing for long.

KatieKaye · 15/09/2014 22:36

Yes, YABU to complain at 7.30.
You're probably upset as your DC is under the weather but when are people supposed to do work if they are out at work all day?

BlackbirdOnTheWire · 16/09/2014 00:58

General construction work, including hammering, drilling, erecting scaffolding etc, is restricted to 8am-6pm Mon-Fri and 8am-1pm Sat here. Downloadable PDF on small-scale/domestic building works on council website.

So no, YANBU, at least not if you live in the same area as me. Check your council website. If they're operating outside the permitted hours, phone the council.

BlackbirdOnTheWire · 16/09/2014 01:02

It doesn't necessarily apply just to professional builders. A neighbour of ours was sent a letter from the council after another neighbour complained. It may come under 'antisocial behaviour' rather than building practices, but the outcome was the same, and the neighbour was told to restrict all noisy building activities to those hours.

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 16/09/2014 05:31

Many moons ago when we bought our first (terrace) house it needed a lot of work doing to it and we worked long hours with a commute. Our neighbour wanted no noise in the evening because he had an early start. We explained that we couldn't afford to have someone in and needed to work on the house after we got home and we reached a compromise during the week. Not as late as we wanted, but possible to do some. We also needed to vacuum in the evening and he didn't like that either, but again, needed to be done.

I think it is reasonable to ask if you can do it politely.

Surfsup1 · 16/09/2014 06:11

Are there no laws on this in England? In Aus these things are all very cut and dry.
If you're going to have a word, maybe it's worth treading softly by simply asking what time they expect to finish rather than demanding an immediate stoppage. That way they become aware that there's an issue without you having to look like a grumpy neighbour.

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