Neighbours!

[CatPerson99]

We’ve just had some work done which meant a digger was delivered the day before yesterday and collected today. I’ve just heard my neighbour having a right go at the driver, telling him ‘frankly she is fed up’! We are about to embark on single storey extension on the back of the house which we have planning permission for, so I’m wondering what on earth the workmen will have to contend with then. She’s nice as pie when we see her and hasn’t been round to complain in person. Of note all the other houses in this street have extensions of different sorts, including hers! Should I just act normally next time I see her and pretend I didn’t hear?

It won’t be within 3m of her house, that would feel really unfair to do that to someone!

Our neighbours had an extension built and I had a go at the thoughtless builders. Neighbours window points the other way so they’d not be aware but I’m fairly sure the guilders decided to put the cement mixer on our drive, splattering concrete up the front of our house, then placed scaffolding pushing against out front wall. My concerns were with the builders and not my neighbours. If they overheard and thought I was being unreasonable I’d have happily explained but I didn’t feel I needed to involve them as my complaints were very specific. Overall, building work is a pain - a pain for you and all the neighbours. Sometimes you just want to get home or go out and haven’t allowed for a 5 minute lorry blocking your way type delay and that’s frustrating. Just be a normal person and speak to your neighbour.

@CatPerson99

It won’t be within 3m of her house, that would feel really unfair to do that to someone!

Ah cool, this is inevitable with terrace or semi detached houses and would require a party wall agreement to protect you (and them)

I would ignore her until she appears she has a moan. Then I’d probably still ignore her lol but I’m a shit neighbour.

*and

Honestly, I’d go round and say, ‘I overheard you saying you were fed up with the inconvenience our building work is causing you. I apologise - is there anything in particular causing the annoyance? What can I do to make our build as stress free as possible for you?’ And then go on to have a reasonable conversation, agreeing what will or will not be achievable.

It’s really really not difficult or scary.