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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go next door and punchworkmen

124 replies

nicslackey · 22/04/2020 12:37

House next door (semi detached was up for sale and empty for 3 years) has sold but is needing extensive renovation. AIBU to feel irritated at the horrendous noise whilst I can't go out and we are working from home with conferences online etc. Think all day drilling as they strip all the walls, rip out kitchen etc. I know it has to be done. I appreciate the new owner will want to get in asap but ffs. They called in to oversee yesterday and don't know us obviously, I could have a sick child and a wee note to say how long this will take would have been nice in the interests of good future relationships with your neighbours. Quite prepared to concede that I am BU and oversensitive to the noise but it is sooo loud, like they are coming through my bederoom wall and I can't watch tv. It's been a week so far. Is this really needing to be done now or can I go in and punch them (lighthearted obviously)

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 22/04/2020 13:35

It's easy to see who bullshitted their tax and now have to work because they are not receiving anything...

It really does like that way doesn't it!

IdrisElbow · 22/04/2020 13:36

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sirfredfredgeorge · 22/04/2020 13:37

what kind of earplugs are enough to cover building noise AND let you go on conference calls you need to work?

A noise cancelling headset really is the minimum you should have for such a thing anyway, and that is enough for this, if you are not using one, you should get one, and your employer should be sorting yourself out - of course it's not necessarily possible for them to do it, but then the complaints about it not being possible to work are down to you not having the right equipment, something the employer should be providing.

The headset will cancel the background noise for you, the directional mic will cancel it for the people listening to you.

Kazzyhoward · 22/04/2020 13:37

I know a plumber, his wife is a nurse and has been redeployed in intensive care dealing with C19 patients. If she does get infected, it's likely he will be too - maybe they already have, hard to know without testing. He is still working and visiting countless private houses every day. What's the point of social distancing? And I bet none of his clients know where his wife has to spend her shifts and in which conditions.

I'd be more worried about him passing it to her and her passing it to her patients. Huge numbers of people have caught covid whilst in hospitals!

LimitIsUp · 22/04/2020 13:38

Its pretty darn selfish during lockdown

justasking111 · 22/04/2020 13:38

In Wales construction, builders etc. are cracking on, safe social distancing, my friends son an apprentice is on site every day, all legal.

InTheShadiws · 22/04/2020 13:38

@Oneandtwenty

Nope, not magically immune. But it's always been the case that you can go to work if you can't work from home.

justasking111 · 22/04/2020 13:40

My neighbours are using rotovators, strimmers, lawn mowers, ride ons, chain saws etc. I can hear a circular saw going. Life goes on in lockdown.

CtrlU · 22/04/2020 13:41

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HollowTalk · 22/04/2020 13:41

@vanillandhoney Your husband will get help from HMRC, surely? One of the questions asked was what happens if someone's only worked for a year and they were told they'd be included.

Elsiebear90 · 22/04/2020 13:43

I understand it’s not nice to be stuck in a house with that level of noise, however, what realistically do you expect them to do? The house needs renovating so they can move in, building work can’t be done without noise. They can’t keep putting it off until the restrictions are over if they’re paying rent and a mortgage, because we have no idea how long this will last. It’s a crap situation, but they probably have no choice but to get the work done as soon as possible.

justasking111 · 22/04/2020 13:43

@posterLimitIsUp
Its pretty darn selfish during lockdown

Well no not really, life has to go on.

LakieLady · 22/04/2020 13:45

My BIL is a builder and is renovating an empty house atm. He has apologised to the neighbour (taking care to stay 2m away!) about the noise and the fact that he's doing it while they're stuck indoors because of Covid and, as one of them is working from home, has said that if they need to do video conferencing or anything, to let him know and that he'll try and find less noisy work for his guys to do while that's going on.

But then my BIL is a lovely, considerate person.

He didn't, however, tell them that the client will be leasing the house to the council, who will use it as temp accommodation for homeless families.

CtrlU · 22/04/2020 13:45

@Elsiebear90 I agree.

I think people need to have more empathy sometimes.

Yes it’s a pain that the house next door may be noisy but think of the family who are probably living in a hotel or cramped with other family members because they can’t go home yet until the building works are done.

And then people talk about being selfish Confused

bluebeck · 22/04/2020 13:47

YABU

vanillandhoney · 22/04/2020 13:49

Your husband will get help from HMRC, surely? One of the questions asked was what happens if someone's only worked for a year and they were told they'd be included.

He hasn't worked for a full year yet, so isn't entitled to any help unfortunately. Luckily he can still work and we have savings so we're not struggling.

userxx · 22/04/2020 13:52

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ilovedjerrymore · 22/04/2020 13:52

@OneandTwenty no one is immune are they? even doctors and nursesConfused

Construction can not do their job at home and have not been closed by the government unlike shops/retail so if that gives them special status then yes they are ‘special’ !!!!

Mumsnet has showed me that so many people are for some reason are against the construction industry....I am very confused to as why???

kirinm · 22/04/2020 13:53

@oneand what a bullshit thing to say. What are self employed people who ARE allowed to work meant to do for pay since this scheme isn't actually up and running yet and payment won't arrive until July? Live on air?

The assumption that all SE people dodge their tax is so fucking tedious.

Mutedgrey · 22/04/2020 13:53

You can’t actually expect them to delay their move in date, which could be costing them thousands in monthly rental to work around you, can you?
It’s not reasonable. But it must be very hard to cope with. They’re not breaking any laws, but it’s certainly not very neighbourly to have not left a note at least to explain, to give timeframe etc.
Our neighbours all work from home. We did 2 months of renovations. We had to.
We left them notes, with wine and chocolates and our mobile numbers they could call. They were really good about it and called us if the builders were banging at 7pm and their children had to go to bed. We would then immediately call and ask they stop, go home, or work on something quiet etc. They should have communicated with you.

WingingItSince1973 · 22/04/2020 14:01

Just wow OneandTwenty!!!! We pay our taxes on time and the correct amount! My husband is a tradesman and still works but not in close contact with anyone. We live paycheck to paycheck and have bills and children to feed. Don't tar us all with the same brush!!

ilovedjerrymore · 22/04/2020 14:01

@OneandTwenty also just seen your comment about bullshitting their tax!!! What a RIDICULOUS comment...please don’t make such idiotic statements when you know NOTHING! You have just insulted every single construction worker I know...what the hell happened to be kind!

Pathetic

EngagedAgain · 22/04/2020 14:01

It's bad timing from your point of view, being the house was empty for 3 years prior. You will have to suck it up annoying as it is. I lived with noise issues for years, this probably won't be for too long, and they won't be there at night, so you will get some respite.

TileLane · 22/04/2020 14:03

... would you feel differently if these were work women?

wheretonow123 · 22/04/2020 14:04

OP,
You should go out and mention to the builders the effect it is having on you and your ability to do your job.

Ask them how long and to what extent this noise will go on for.

Tell them when you most need the noise dropped (conjferences etc) and see if it can be agreed to ease off.

And ask for the owner of the house to make contact. It's pretty appalling that they have not done so. Our neighbour dropped in before they started building - and I had never met them before.