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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour wants no drilling this afternoon

181 replies

Daisydrum · 19/07/2021 07:06

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.

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 19/07/2021 09:37

Why are people suggesting the OP should ask for "essential drilling" only? Surely (hopefully!) everything they are doing is essential...otherwise they wouldn't be doing it? Confused

MilduraS · 19/07/2021 09:39

I'd agree on the assumption it really is a one off. If they try to regularly request it then just say no, you can't keep delaying the work and they'll need to make other arrangements. One afternoon won't cause any harm but several afternoons could delay completion of your project and the start of their next project.

Blossomtoes · 19/07/2021 09:45

Wouldn’t it be great if everything was as flexible as it seems to be in your life?

The whole work from home premise is predicated on flexibility. If people want it to continue, they’re going to have to accept its down sides. If you’re working in a commercial office close to building work you just have to suck it up.

StrongArm · 19/07/2021 09:52

I doubt it will be a one off that's the problem

if you want to be kind I would say 'ok for this afternoon but I cannot do this going forward because it will set back my builder's timeline and that will cost us more money'

problem with people WFH is they want office conditions but in a residential setting and that is unreasonable

Amaizing · 19/07/2021 09:56

It is probably a job interview or a medical consultation. Try and ask if they can give you the times. Why fall out with your neighbours over something as small as this?

GCandproud · 19/07/2021 09:59

Initially I thought YABU because I have been struggling to work sometimes with a pneumatic drill outside my window. Then I saw that they have been doing work themselves and for that reason, they can't object. They will need to use noise cancelling headphones for the call. I might make an exception if it was something truly major and one-off like a court hearing or an immigration interview. Otherwise, they will just have to put up with it.

Tal45 · 19/07/2021 09:59

You are paying for your builders time, if he wants them to make no noise and so do no work then he needs to pay them. He knew you were having work done so he should have told his work it was going to happen or rented a quiet space if it was that vital. You can't expect people to stop their lives because you're working from home. If he was in an office and there was work going on in the next building he wouldn't go round and tell them to stop work for the afternoon because he's got important calls.

Floralnomad · 19/07/2021 10:03

As a one off I would ask the builders to try and do something quieter for the period requested but if the requests become a regular occurrence then I would say no .

Kokosrieksts · 19/07/2021 10:04

For me it would really depend on the relationship with the neighbors. If they were good friends, then I would change the plans for one afternoon. Otherwise tough luck, I’m paying a lot of money for the builders to come in and it’s normal hours so not stopping it.

TheyWentToSeaInASieve · 19/07/2021 10:04

Most people have noise-cancelling headphones these days that barely pick up on drilling. I would say it depends on what kind of relationship you have with your neighbour and how she asked, and whether this is a one-off. You are not breaking any rules and should treat this as a favour. Good luck with your building work!!

worrybutterfly · 19/07/2021 10:06

As a one off for 1-2 hours I'd say they are being reasonable. It could be a job interview, disciplinary meeting, or something else important that's a one-off.

But I'd make it clear to them that it's a one off thing, what's the minimum amount of time, and you won't be able to accommodate daily's/weekly requests for no drilling.

TheSunShinesBrighter · 19/07/2021 10:08

Most people have noise-cancelling headphones these days

Do they? Just knocking about the house?

Or are you talking about people who WFH?
We don’t know if the neighbour’s request is work related or for something else (interview, hospital consultation etc).

HoppingPavlova · 19/07/2021 10:09

I would think it okay if it was for a short one-off such as job interview. They should narrow it down though - 1hr from 2-3pm for example.

I would make clear it would only be for this specific interval, not an ‘all afternoon’ thing and it is a one-off. If they can’t cope with that they will need to go hire serviced office space or make other arrangements.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 19/07/2021 10:09

As a one off I dont think it's an unreasonable request.

GCandproud · 19/07/2021 10:10

Yeah, actually on second thoughts, if it's a job interview or something, I would probably ask the builders to keep it down for an hour or so. If I were the neighour, I'd offer some money for it too, as you will still need to pay the builders.

If you have any noise-cancelling headphones, I would lend those to your neighbour, as that might be the solution to the issue.

Houserenoqueen · 19/07/2021 10:16

I would try to do it on this occasion as a one-off to keep good neighbour relations. I know you are within your rights to have noisy building work, but think from your neighbour’s perspective.

thelastgoldeneagle · 19/07/2021 10:17

They ABU! Remind them of all the work they've had done, and say that your builders will be carrying on as normal. Essential drilling only, but if it needs to be done then so be it.

TheOrangeSharked · 19/07/2021 10:24

I think its massively unreasonably not to accommodate one request. Building work inconveniences everyone around you, every single day its on. Youve been inconveniencing your neighbours for 3 weeks, they are asking for one afternoon. Incessent drilling is irritating and tbh probably the neighbours on the other side will be grateful for some respite

I do understand they had years of building work that inconvenienced you too, but it sounds like you didn't ask for an afternoon off. Of course you are within your rights to continue, but its not really the neighbourly thing to do.

It could be a hospital consultation, disciplinary, court hearing etc. Not necessarily just a work meeting.

Make it clear its a one off, ask them what time it starts and finishes. I dont understand the attitude that it will become a repeat request. If your happy saying no first time, just say no the second time!

OhNoNoNoNoNo · 19/07/2021 10:25

They are not being unreasonable to ask. I’d ask the builders what they are up to and try to accommodate their request. It might not be possible though. I’m amazed at how unpleasant people on Mumsnet are. I’d happily ask my neighbours if they could be quiet on a particular day and they would me.

The suggestion that you should carry on regardless and not even try to help because they had noisy work done is petty and not nice.

If the builders are right in the middle of something and have to make noise then you can let the neighbors know so they can take steps to minimize how it effects their work.

Goneroundthetwist · 19/07/2021 10:27

It’s a one off, perhaps they have a job interview?

newnortherner111 · 19/07/2021 10:28

'Afternoon' is not a time. So ask what time, if it is say an hour, then seems reasonable, though I think they could have asked earlier.

clairethewitch70 · 19/07/2021 10:31

Maybe the neighbour cannot be precise about the time. Hospital consultations sometimes say afternoons or mornings for telephone consultations. No specific times. I have a three hour window for a consultation tomorrow. Drilling would make it really hard to understand what my consultant says. He speaks fast at the best of times. Could be something like this

BitterTits · 19/07/2021 10:32

I wouldn't accommodate this. Living accommodation is just that, and if he has important work calls he needs to find himself an appropriate space for them.

godmum56 · 19/07/2021 10:34

@Fizbosshoes

Why are people suggesting the OP should ask for "essential drilling" only? Surely (hopefully!) everything they are doing is essential...otherwise they wouldn't be doing it? Confused
because there is stuff that needs to be done now in order to keep the work going and stuff that isn't needed yet but gets done because the kit is out and set up
DutifulDaughterWifeMother · 19/07/2021 10:36

Hi OP, my NdN has had a loft conversion and now they are extending their kitchen. I had to ask them if they could ask their builders to keep the noise down when my daughter would be sitting her 2 professional exams back in June. They did & she has passed with amazing results!! We also had agreed for them to knock down a middle wall so they could get their digger thru through our side entrance. It’s give & take on both sides. We didn’t realise at the time they asked re the wall my eldest would be sitting her exams at home because of Covid. OP don’t be unreasonable just work with your neighbour & make it work.

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