Neighbour wants no drilling this afternoon

[Daisydrum]

We are having work done on our house. The workers are only here M-F within normal hours. Our neighbour has asked for no drilling this afternoon because of important calls. Not sure if they are being unreasonable?
We did warn them months ago work was coming and when work was starting.
They have had about 2 years worth of work on and off, often during my important calls (and they’ve had it on evenings and weekends).
I’m not sure if the builders will need to use the drill or not but there will certainly be some banging as we can’t expect them to do no work for the whole afternoon.
Not sure what to say back.

I would tell them that you had to put up with all their building noise when you had important calls so the can just deal with it

I'd say it's the thin end of the wedge. First they ask for no drilling this afternoon, next it'll be every other afternoon. Say no and do it quickly so they have time to make other arrangements if they need to work elsewhere.

It’s one afternoon, I would give them a break tbh. I’ve had building work done in the last and it’s tough on everyone.

I’d just say sorry that it’s inconveniencing them but the builders need to get on with their job. If you do it this time, they’ll have ‘important calls’ other days. Everyone’s work is ‘important‘ after all.

If you asked them for one afternoon's quiet during their building works, and they had point blank refused, then I would be very tempted to respond 'I'll give your request as much consideration as you gave mine' (but wouldn't really do that, as it's the stuff of lasting feuds)

I think it's an entirely reasonable request. Most household building works don't have such a tight 'critical path' through the project that a change to one afternoon's works will make a huge difference.

I like to live in as much harmony with my neighbours as possible, so would of course accommodate requests.

I would not make an assumption that it was a thin end of a wedge, nor that they are asking for no good reason.

Of course you try to accommodate as a one-off. I'm amazed at how many people are saying it's tough luck. Building work is really disruptive, as OP knows well. If there's a specific day that they need no drilling, why wouldn't you try to help?

Maybe the builders can't avoid drilling, in which case you let the neighbour know it's not possible. But maybe there's other work they can do instead for this afternoon and it will be no problem.

And yes, if you suspect they're CFs, be clear it's a one-time thing because it's difficult for the builders to juggle jobs around. But that shouldn't stop you trying to be reasonable the first time.

Unless the neighbours are otherwise twats - and there's nothing here to suggest they are - I'd have no difficulty with this as a one off. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, innit.

Just because you are within your rights to tell your neighbour to piss off, doesn't mean you should.

Are they making the call or receiving them? If making, they can give you an indication of when not to drill. If receiving, can they give you an approx time, or indicate to you when the call comes in.

I think it’s a reasonable request,especially if they can specify a shorter time period in which not to drill.

@thedancingbear

Unless the neighbours are otherwise twats - and there's nothing here to suggest they are - I'd have no difficulty with this as a one off. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, innit.

Just because you are within your rights to tell your neighbour to piss off, doesn't mean you should.

This would be my approach, too, I think.

Its the builders' working hours, you gave them warning.

Are they happy to pay for the builders to come back on a different day? If not then its not reasonable to expect the builders to reschedule/change work at potential cost to accommodate calls.

You could tell them that when they did their two years of building work noise cancelling headphones helped...

I think if its just for a couple of hours then that's reasonable. However would stress a very much one off at present. Tell them the quicker it's done the quieter for everyone!

Agree with LannieDuck try to accommodate them. If you don't try you are likely to fall out and it is always better not to fall out with your neighbours.

I agree with those who are advocating a compromise. This isn't about scoring points, it's about trying to live harmoniously with your neighbours. See if you can agree a more specific time-window to avoid the drilling.

If it's a one-off then it's a reasonable request and you should try and be a good neighbour and comply.

When did they ask you? If it was yesterday then they abu as this gives you no time at all to make alt arrangements. But if you've had 2 weeks notice and you're going to tell them to bugger off today, then yabu and could have given them notice of this so he can make alt arrangements.

He's asked, I'd be tempted to try and help, but I'd also mention it's a one off as you're paying tradesman so you can't do it regularly.

If they could give you a more specific timeframe I'd be inclined to agree as a one off.

It could be something like a remote job interview so not ideal to be packing up to take the call elsewhere. Of course they're entitled to their privacy but if they told you a little more than 'important call' you could at least figure out whether they're taking the mickey.

Agree a two hour window with the builders and then inform the neighbour so that they can ensure their important call is scheduled within that period.

It's best to try to accommodate them, especially if their request is a one-off.

Are they making the call or receiving them? If making, they can give you an indication of when not to drill. If receiving, can they give you an approx time, or indicate to you when the call comes in.
I think it’s a reasonable request,especially if they can specify a shorter time period in which not to drill.
This^.

Right now many of us don’t get a choice in working from home. Noisy work getting carried out is an absolute pain in the arse for all neighbors. So asking her what time her call is and trying to stay quiet for one hour isn’t a big ask

Your well within your rights to carry on as you please I suppose it all depends on how the relationship between you and your neighbours is and if it's likely to be affected

I actually think you're being really unreasonable here to say no.

One afternoon off? It's not really any trouble to you, and I'm sure the builders will be able to work around it, especially if there's a 2-3 hour time frame.

How far in advance you told them about the work doesn't matter. They probably didn't have a choice when this important call was scheduled for.

Also, them having building work during your important calls is irrelevant unless you actually asked for them to be quiet and they said no. How would they know you had important calls if you didn't say anything.

Do you really want the sour the relationship over something so small? What if you need a favour from them in the future?

Obviously if they keep asking then they are becoming unreasonable, but for a one-off it's the nice thing to do to just say yes.

I’d absolute refuse to down tool for the throes afternoon

But would try and facilitate them

We’ve had similar issues and were able to negotiate with the builders

I'd ask her if she can reschedule her call because it's interfering with your important drilling 🙄🙄 time is money and I highly doubt you want to pay the builders to stand around for a whole afternoon. Some people really do expect to live in a bubble of silence.

Depends on the relationship you have with them. If they're nightmare neighbours, I'd be less inclined to bend to their request. If you have a fairly good relationship with them, I'd have a word with the builder to see if they can do work that wont cause too much noise but warn the neighbour that it may not be dead silent. A bit of a compromise on both sides wouldn't go a miss here.

Also I think it just screams self importance. I would genuinely never ask this of anyone. I know people that have and they are definitely a certain sort of person.