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AIBU?

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Original poster

Neighbours builders

84 replies

drdeluxe · 19/02/2019 10:24

Neighbours embarking on 4 month extension. So far the builders have done the following:

  • spent two weekends, Sat & Sun (starting at 9am, erecting scaffolding).
  • now have radio on playing loudly (so I can hear inside double glazed house)

Owners of house have moved out for the duration of project so I will need to email them if I want to raise it with them.

Which of these, if any, would you email about? In a diplomatic way?

I have let the builders can park in our private parking area (which we own) as our road is narrow. So its not as if I haven't been accomodating.

OP posts:
EyeOfTheTigger · 19/02/2019 12:06

The scaffolders will more than likely be a different company to the builders. Was it the scaffolders that were playing the radio?

Look at it this way - if they work weekends, the sooner the work will be completed and everything back to being peaceful again. Try to be accommodating; builders like to start early and finish early, so 9am is actually quite reasonable.

Regarding the radio, get over yourself and go round and have a friendly conversation. As a pp said, take round some tea and biscuits, or a few cakes, and they'll probably be very amenable.

3out · 19/02/2019 12:08

Can you see planning permission notices online in your LA? Scotland is prob different, but ours is published online and includes the stipulations regarding weekend work.

Original poster
drdeluxe · 19/02/2019 12:22

Doesn't say anything on the planning permission notices.

Not really making a drama out of it - just feeling surprised that what was part of a standard building contract in our case does not seem to be the general consensus of opinion. Do as you would be done by and all that.

I'm beginning to think that we must have had super considerate builders judging by all the reponses on here.

OP posts:
youknowmedontyou · 19/02/2019 12:24

It's going to be a long and stressful summer OP, no drama needed, just a quick word about the radio.

The scaffolding is done now, so can't be changed!

Shoxfordian · 19/02/2019 12:27

Use your words and ask them to turn down the radio

BusterTheBulldog · 19/02/2019 12:34

I was off sick from work a while ago, neighbours had builders in when was trying to sleep who had radio in garden. Went and asked them if they wouldn’t mind turning it down / moving it bit further from my house. They turned it off totally, and couldn’t have been more considerate! Asked me how I was feeling when they saw me next. Really nice men. Not everyone is an arsehole, I’d pop and see them, you’re going to have them for a good while so get off on right foot!

halfwitpicker · 19/02/2019 12:35

Why would you email?!

It's so British and non confrontational

LtJudyHopps · 19/02/2019 12:37

We’ve had builders in the house next door since just before Christmas 2017. They were doing the inside until about November this year, turning up in the afternoon working till 8pm by torchlight as there was no electricity in the house... and then sleeping there!! They tried working weekends but we told them the councils guidelines on hours they could work and they stopped.
The week before Christmas just gone new builders arrived to do the extension!!
So yes you have had considerate builders and you are overreacting. I agree with PP, if you email you will get their backs up and they won’t be reasonable. If you go out for a chat and just ask if they could turn it down I’d imagine them to be much more receptive. If they don’t do it, then email the owners.

Original poster
drdeluxe · 19/02/2019 12:52

halfwit - the email is because it is the only way I can get in touch with the neighbour who they are working for. They haven't given me their phone number and are not on site to experience the radio show for themselves.

I am British & non confrontational so acting true to stereotype

OP posts:
TrixieFranklin · 19/02/2019 13:09

*Not on site to experience the radio show for themselves
*
Its not a fucking festival, get a grip and either ask them to turn it down or put up with it.

YoThePussy · 19/02/2019 13:32

I thought it was standard with council guidelines that noisy building works were to be completed 8am-6pm weekdays, 8am-1pm Saturdays. No noisy work to take place Sundays or Bank Holidays. OP there is Easter coming up and all the May Bank Holidays.

No need to get upset, quick polite conversation checking they are not planning any work out of permitted hours. Also could they keep the volume on the radio down a bit.

Bollocks to it taking the builders longer if they can’t work all day every day. That is theirs and the NDNs problem. Enjoy your Saturday afternoons, Sundays and Ban Holidays OP. Hope your NDNs give you wine when they finally move in, is the least they should do. Suspect you shouldn’t hold your breath on that one though.

I had a minor issue with builders last year, was assertive but polite. They turned out to be lovely, put a new bolt on my garden gate and we had some great chats in the garden. It helped I liked their choice of music too.

DarlingNikita · 19/02/2019 13:52

the email is because it is the only way I can get in touch with the neighbour who they are working for. They haven't given me their phone number and are not on site to experience the radio show for themselves.

Ferchrissake.

Go round. Smile and be polite. 'Hi, I'm from next door and your radio's a bit loud. Could you turn it down please? Thanks!'

chaffymcchaff · 19/02/2019 14:43

Oh for the love of god...it's a radio! Not Glastonbury!!! Just ask them to turn it down ffs!!! Why would you need to email back and forth to do such a bloody trivial thing?? Man up! Jesus!

What are you like in a real crisis OP? This is a non event 🙄

youknowmedontyou · 19/02/2019 14:44

@chaffymcchaff well said!

Ohnonotuagain · 19/02/2019 15:31

chaffymcchaff
Here here!

Cath2907 · 19/02/2019 15:37

I am having my cottage renovated. I am living elsewhere. My builder is a nice man called Dale. He'd happily turn the radio down if anyone asked. I don't see him everyday and if you emailed me I'd see him at some point this week and ask him to turn the radio down but I'd wonder why you didn't just pop round yourself. However this is in a small village and everyone knows Dale and his assistant Dodgy Dave. Half the village seems to have had a guided tour of my now mostly destroyed cottage. There was a committee in there at lunchtime trying to decide the best place to put the radiators back on!

Take them biscuits, ask them to turn the radio down. I doubt they'll be working every weekend. Perhaps the scaffolders needed to be in to set-up the first weekend but in my experience builders normally work 8am - 4pm week days. Anyone starting at 9am round here would get the "part timer" joke. They like to finish early as it is getting dark.

FatherBuzzCagney · 19/02/2019 15:38

Did the extension need planning permission? If so, do the conditions attached mention construction hours? As others have said, round here no work on a development with planning permission is allowed after 1pm on Saturdays, on Sundays, or on Bank Holidays. It may not be allowed even if no pp required. Check the planning website of your local council.

sunshinesupermum · 19/02/2019 15:38

I would have a polite word with the builders re the loud music.

As far as working over the weekend that is a no-no.

Check your council guidelines because while Sat 9.00 am till 1.00 pm may be allowed the afternoon and Sunday is not, then email your neighbours.

MaybeitsMaybelline · 19/02/2019 15:41

Our builders organised scaffolders to come and put up on a Saturday morning. We didn't know they were coming. They started at 06:50 !!!

No neighbours complained fortunately, I was very embarrassed to say the least. Fortunately it was a one off, they took the scaffolding down mid week on an afternoon.

They forgot a load of planks though .......

LakieLady · 19/02/2019 16:25

Doesn't say anything on the planning permission notices.

My LA includes the working hours permitted in the planning conditions of the planning permission itself. It's usually 8-6 Mon-Fri, 8-12 Saturdays and not at all on Sundays here.

troubleswillbeoutofsight · 19/02/2019 17:07

I feel for you,OP. My next door neighbour had about six months of work done which could have been done in a few weeks if the bloody builders hadn’t been mates of the owner and came whenever they were free from other jobs. It was from April to October, the whole of the summer and the builders were horrible, sweary and loud. It wasn’t the work that was the problem but the builders. I tolerate all the work noise, it’s part of life but the bloody radio blaring did my head in. I reacted by the second time they were there and popped over to let them know I could hear the radio everywhere in my house and asked them to turn it down. They very respectfully apologised and actually turned it off. It remained off for the remainder of their time. No need to email owners just go and have a chat. If that doesn’t work you can then email

Original poster
drdeluxe · 19/02/2019 17:36

They have gone home and all is peaceful - just birds singing. We live in a lovely rural spot and can't hear anything much at all. I don't think it would bother me if it had happened when I lived in the city.

It's ironic really that the neighbours remarked when they moved about how lovely and peaceful it is around here and that is why they don't want to move away.

I will speak to them tomorrow. Its half term and after a stressful few months I was looking forward to spending a quiet few hours in the garden, not 8 hours listening to tedious phone ins and shit music (they switched station at lunchtime to Radio Local)

OP posts:
Original poster
drdeluxe · 19/02/2019 17:37

troubles - let's hope it doesn't go on into the summer.

OP posts:
OrangeJuiceandLemonade · 19/02/2019 17:42

Contact Radio Local and suggest a phone in about inconsiderate builders Smile

silverbackmale · 19/02/2019 17:48

Make friends with them, say hello, wave and smile when you get the chance, they're not the enemy.
When you talk to them talk just loud enough for them to have to turn the radio down to hear you. Then you can agree with them that it was loud.
Explain you don't mind them parking in that spot if your not needing it but they'll have to move if you need to park there.