AIBU scorching 🥵 all windows open neighbour starts work on his extension

[LockdownLucie]

AIBU its a scorching hot day and I have all windows & doors open as its sweltering in our house & without any warning my neighbour suddenly decides to start work on his extension. Apart from all the banging and clattering the workmen have a radio on very loudly and NDN is talking/shouting above all that incessantly to them. He has been furloughed and obviously knows them so its party time and he is in his element. I am off work today and the noise is bad enough but suspect it will get worse. I work PT and have been WFH from and wondering how the hell I am going to concentrate for all the noise and I will wilt in this heat if I cant open the windows if we have another heat wave.

[LockdownLucie]

The extension is at the back of the house. DH is working in the small study at the front of the house as he has more meetings, DS year 11 now has a desk in his bedroom so he is working in there (also at the front of the house). DD year 10 is working in her bedroom at the back of the house (her window is only single glazed and she dyslexia so really struggles to concentrate). I am also in an open plan area at the back of the house. Unfortunately we don’t have another room further away from the building work so noise cancelling headphones for 4 it is.

[orangejuicer]

Noise cancelling headphones?

[BackforGood]

Not sure what you are asking if YABU about, so haven't voted, but, difficult though it is, the NDN isn't doing anything wrong.

If they are building an extn, then it is going to be noisy.

If you are hot, then YABU to have all the windows and doors open. The house will remain cooler if you don't let the hot air from outside, to come in.

Now you know they will be working there for a few months, it would seem sensible to look at moving your workstation to the other side of your house. Potentially invest in earphones if the noise bothers you that much - though I suspect you will get used to to soon enough.

[PinkDramaLlama]

My neighbours have spent the lockdown having their garden landscaped. Diggers, dumpers, radios blaring. Week days and weekends. It's been really grim.

[LockdownLucie]

Unfortunately can’t afford to move anywhere more rural. I just thought he might have knocked on the door today or at some point over the weekend to say we are going to start building work Monday/today sorry. So their might be a bit of noise and dust or you might want to bring washing in/close velux windows etc. But obviously not.

[Immigrantsong]

Surely this is the best time to start learning how to play bagpipes, the recorder, didgeridoo or even vuvuzela. Offer your neighbourhood the joy of music!

[userxx]

@CherrySpritz If the op is that adverse to noise then it's one of the few options she's got. Obvious isn't it. One of my friends did it, nothing for miles but forests and rivers.

[Frlrlrubert]

About 4 sets of my neighbours are in the midst of repairing the flood damage to their properties. It's very loud. One started at 8am yesterday (Sunday). Unfortunately such is life.

[LockdownLucie]

Thanks my work building is closed until at least September. We live in the north of England and the back of the house where I am in kitchen, diner, living space where my workspace is, is closest to their building work and we don’t have any curtains or blinds as we aren’t over looked.

[LockdownLucie]

Thanks I must be BU unfortunately my NDN isn’t known for being a reasonable man. Also during lockdown and with me being on the shielding list I cant really take off anywhere for several hours a day to escape, my work has to be done during my normal working day and I cant really go round and have a discussion/confrontation with him or the builders. I am off work today and tomorrow so guess I will have to grin and bare it and if it continues on Wednesday when I am next back working I will have to shout over the fence to ask if they would please turn the radio down. Fortunately for them his wife and daughter of working age either went back to work today (or have gone somewhere to escape the noise as both their cars are out).

[Mypathtriedtokillme]

Open your windows overnight, in the evening and early morning the close everything down when it’s starting to warm up and shut all your curtains.

It will keep your house much cooler and block out some of the construction noise.

(I’m in Aus and lived for years without aircon)

[TARSCOUT]

Could you not go oonto office as it isn't possible to wfh?

[Moomin12345]

Move *

[Moomin12345]

Love to a detached property in rural Wales?

[BrightYellowDaffodil]

I’m ridiculously sensitive to noise but it’s not unreasonable to have building work done, even if they are being noisy about it.

I would ask if they could keep the noise down (including the radio and shouting) as much as possible because I’m WFH, but otherwise some noise cancelling headphones might be a good investment.

[RainMustFall]

It's all part of living cheek by jowel with other people, nothing to be done about it. When I lived in London I used to fantasise about living in the middle of a field; now I've moved away I miss it and could cope with the noise as I'm really hard of hearing. It's a real pain in social situations but great for a quiet life at home.

[CherrySpritz]

@userxx

The only thing you can do is sell up and go and buy somewhere in the countryside without neighbours.

Why is this ridiculous comment always trotted out when a poster complains of noise? There are a hundred reasons why an individual may not have the choice to ‘buy somewhere in the countryside without neighbours’. How many people could afford an isolated house in the country?

[UnfinishedSymphon]

It is very annoying, yesterday I decided to sit outside in the garden and sunbathe for while, I never do this as I'm usually always on the go. Got my book, sun lotion, music, earphones on my little table, sat back ahhhhhhhhh….5 seconds later our neighbour across the back started cutting concrete with a stihl saw.

Sadly there's not a lot than can be done but I feel your pain

[userxx]

The only thing you can do is sell up and go and buy somewhere in the countryside without neighbours.

[TheOrigBrave]

I have worked from home for years and when I'm disturbed I go round and talk to the person. Often it's just a case of knowing they're only going to be a couple of hours. Or I'll ask them to turn the radio down - I think it's not unreasonable of me to ask them to turn it down if I can hear it behind my closed door.

Building noise, there's not much you can do about.

[Burpalot]

I know this isn't the point but if it's really hot the best thing you can do is keep all your windows closed and curtains drawn during the day. Stops the heat getting in

[Melonportal]

My NDN started work on his extension the day lockdown began. I've been working from home the whole time and trying to homeschool my 6 year old, while dealing with his noise and dirt.

Yes, he's entitled to build an extension and no, there's nothing you can do about it. It's shit though, claustrophobic and I hate my NDN for it.

[Chocolatear]

Our neighbour started their extension during the first week of the lockdown. It's been noisy but you just have to zone out. My DH has been working from home, he's coping.

I'd definitely ask for the radio to be turned down and for the smoking to be away from your house.

[Sally872]

I am sure the date will have been organised around many factors prior to the good weather.

[ScarfLadysBag]

Annoying but just life, really. The work has to be done.