To have had enough with building work

[Dotty1219]

We have new neighbours on both sides of a terraced house and the DIY and building work has been constant since January. 6am scraping the party wall on a sunday, 9-10pm drilling and banging. Tradesmen starting at 7.30am and literally shaking the house with the loudest power tools known to man. Having to listen to them shouting, swearing and singing (really badly) all day everyday. Access constantly being blocked by work vans, rubbish left all over the communal drive (cheeky sods even put some in our bin). Our garden gate constantly getting left wide open (despite me asking them constantly to close it as we have a dog and he's got out before). It doesn't even stop on weekends, it's literally all week with no end in sight. The dogs scared out his wits most of the time and won't eat until they've gone home (rescue and very nervous of loud noise), hes also nervous to go in the garden now after the new neighbour kids shouted at him from the window (although we're getting a tall fence put up ASAP so hopefully that solves that problem)

I know realistically we just have to deal with it, and life doesn't stop for us or the dog. But I'm just so sick of it, it hasn't stopped since January from both sides, if one side goes quiet the other starts up. No consideration for the times they're working, it seems to be getting earlier and later each day. It just feels never ending. It wouldn't be as bad if the builders/neighbours were considerate and worked at reasonable times and were mindful of the fact that we're here and closed gates etc but they don't give a shit.
Genuinely don't know how much longer I can live like this before I go round and scream at them. Both DP and I work from home too so there is literally no escape 😔 7.30 the builders started with the power tools this morning!

That sounds stressful! You have my sympathy.

I think you're totally within your rights to ask them how long the work is set to continue for, at leat then you'll have a goal in mind. I've had nervous dogs before so totally understand.

Sounds very intrusive & exhausting.

We asked our builders not to come at the weekend as we were mindful of our neighbours. Guidelines for work times should be sent out with planning applications/consents IMO.

You could approach Environmental Health as the noise it's impacting the enjoyment of your home. Are you keeping a log?

But ideally approach the neighbours first and try and work something out together if you feel you can - what would be reasonable to you? How much is left to do?

Also, spring closure on the gate?

I would check the guidelines from your council. Ours is that building work is only permitted at set hours, eg not after 6pm and not at all on Sundays.

Have a look at your council's website - it should specify what time tradesmen can make noise and what time diy can be done. Then I'd speak to the neighbours and ask them to follow the guidance. We've just had major work done and I asked the builders not to make loud noise first thing in consideration of the neighbours as everyone is wfh so here all the time. Tradesmen don't care as they just want to get the job done and leave but your neighbours should be more considerate

YANBU.

The Coalition Govt relaxed planning rules and that’s what’s led to the boom of side returns being knocked through and massive kitchen renovations - that and the fact it’s cheaper to extend nowadays than it is to trade up to a bigger house.

If your neighbours are pleasant I’d ask them how long the work is set to continue, and if they could reduce the work on weekends; it’s really not fair that your lives are so disrupted.

We’re hoping to buy a terrace in a few months, and this sort of thing does really concern me!

Thanks everyone, glad to know I'm not just being a miserable sod. As I'm typing there's a very loud drilling going on, and I feel like they may come through the wall.
My partner did bang on the wall when the scraping started up at 6am on a Sunday. I had a text apologising but "that was the only time it could be done". One side (with the noisiest work) havent actually moved in yet so they aren't listening to it all day and probably just think we're being moany. It just feels so intrusive. I'll have a look on the council website and see what our guidelines are. I know the neighbours due a baby soon, which is probably why the work is going on all day everyday, so I can understand in a way, but they don't have to listen to it all day 😔

Re the gate, I don't think I can actually do anything with it as its a rights of access for the row of houses. Its a funny set up but basically that gate on the end of our garden, the path from it can't be blocked off (although everyone else has blocked off their gardens, our garden is just stuck on the end, with a tiny triangle in front of the end house window which is theirs). Hopefully when we get the fence and gate along our boundary line that will solve our problems.

Tempted to start a full house remodel when everyone has moved in 😂

You have my sympathy. My next door neighbour is building a big front and back extension. I'm a night shift worker so it's hard to not be disturbed by it when I'm trying to sleep during the day, even with my ear plugs and sleep sounds app on full I can still hear it.

I know they are not unreasonable in doing the work but I can't wait till its over.

If they're blocking your drive, park across your drive. My neighbour had some work done last year and the builder parked ON my drive. They also dumped a mound of gravel waist high across my driveway without of course bothering to ask if I needed to get my car out

When I asked one of them who the driver of the van was he said he didn't know, I reminded him that he had arrived in said van and he then shouted to his dad (the driver) to move it

In my experience they all appear to be cut from the same cloth, prove me wrong!

@Lanesra1886 it's not technically on "My drive". The houses are in a row just off the road, and the long drive past the houses leads to a shared yard, which has individually owned parking spots, then a shared communal area, which frustrates me because they can park on the communal bit, that's what it's there for.
But if I were to park on the entrance I'd restrict access for everyone else 🙈

Agree you should check with the council about times that are unreasonable for noise. The 6am on a Sunday response is so pathetic I suggest a little less acceptance that would otherwise be the case.

Hopefully you can find out how long it will be for.

My partner did bang on the wall when the scraping started up at 6am on a Sunday. I had a text apologising but "that was the only time it could be done".

that's not good enough!

They are taking the piss, I would complain loudly and report to the council. No way should you put up with this.

I am so sorry you have to live with them, but realistically, if they already don't give a shit about anyone else, they will be nightmare neighbours and inconsiderate for ever. You genuinely have to brace yourself for that.

NO ONE does DIY on a Sunday at 6am in a non-detached property, unless they are completely antisocial.

I wouldn't even start painting at 6am on a Sunday in a flat above a bedroom just in case.

It really doesn't matter if it was the only time it could be done. They shouldn't be bothering you with that at all on a Sunday, let alone at 6am. It's their problem to fit that in during the allowed days and times.

Do check your councils guidelines. Pretty sure it'll be the same-ish as most places; 8-6 weekdays and 9-1 or 4 Saturdays and silence on a Sunday.

So today was the straw that broke the camels back. Its all still been going on since I posted. Today I came home from shopping to find a lorry and a van on the communal yard blocking my parking. Parked on the street then another big lorry ended up parked in the communal driveway, completely blocking access out my front door. Looked at my window and I see the cheeky fuckers have actually parked themselves on my bit! So my car is on the street, I can't get onto my own land for all the massive vans and they've actually got the audacity to park on my land without asking. I ended up opening the window and telling them I that they were parked on my land and its a bit cheeky considering they didn't ask and they've blocked me out. I've just had a text from the neighbour saying "did you tell our builders they can't park on your bit" I haven't responded yet because I'm still absolutely fuming.
If they've have asked I would have probably said yes as I'd done what I needed to do and there was plenty of space. It's just the audacity of forcing me to park on the street and then helping themselves.
I know it probably sounds really silly but honestly 6 months of building work from both sides and all the inconvenience that comes with it has totally destroyed any patience I had left. I feel like we've generally being quite tolerant even when we've been put out, now I'm wondering if we just need to start being mardy arses about everything.

Just seen your update.

You are FAR too nice OP

Sounds like they are pushing the envelope, if you check out your council site they will show acceptable times for DIY and building work. Mon to Friday should be 8am to 6pm,.Sat usually 8 or 9am to 1pm and no work on Sundays.

I’d be considering a building project of my own to start a week after their one finishes

@sashagabadon we've already pissed off one set by deciding to get a fence which leaves them with a tiny triangle of their land left. We did debate whether to do it or not, but after this we just thought nobody has given us the slightest consideration so tough 💁‍♀️

@Dotty1219

I had your new thread on this saved to read but it's gone? Are you able to link, please?