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Original poster

Elderly neighbour v house renovation

195 replies

shazwee · 30/05/2023 15:21

I've inherited a house which had tons of damage, needed new roof, re wire, concrete base new ceilings etc..basically almost has to rebuild, semi detached dormer bungalow. House has been empty for many years. Some things have been done since March, new roof etc..elderly single lady next door is not coping well with the noise of the workmen. It's been difficult as I don't have a massive pot of money to put it right so relying on family and friends etc trying to keep noise to minimum at weekends ( although this is really only the time hubby and I can spare to do bits) I have sent flowers to neighbour, kept her informed etc..gave her some doors etc she wanted , basically I have tried to be as accommodating as possible. Yesterday the plasterer was in and she came round complaining its was a holiday and didn't want to noise ( she is round every time a trade is there complaining about noise) I dont know what else I can do. There is possibility months more of noise to come, plumbers, patio to be laid, new kitchen the list is endless...Yesterday she asked us to tell her everytime noise is going to be made...impossible for us as we're not always there and cannot ask workmen to do so...what can I do, I don't want to fall out but I can't see a way forward..she has had silence from the house for years. I didn't think a plasterer would make any noise 🤔 please help MN friends x

OP posts:
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7
Tinkerbyebye · 30/05/2023 15:24

I would just pop round, with the long list of what’s needed and a probable timescale and apologise but then she has to accept this will be how it is for a while

NEmama · 30/05/2023 15:26

Just tell her an approximate date for finishing

Freshair1 · 30/05/2023 15:28

Working on a bank holiday is inconsiderate. I feel sorry for her.

bibbityboppityboo · 30/05/2023 15:29

What noise was a plasterer making that she objected to??

I think PP is right - give her an approx end date and say you'll try to keep evening / weekend work to a minimum. It's a big change from a silent empty house, but it'll be over eventually!

GoodChat · 30/05/2023 15:31

Let her know whenever any noisy work is going on with a weeks notice - then she can decide whether to be home

MichelleScarn · 30/05/2023 15:31

I wouldn't have thought fact is a 'bank holiday is factor for her? (Unless she's still working?)
I'd agree with giving an approx date for work ending- and apologies for the required noise.
You can't help it unfortunately!

DelphiniumBlue · 30/05/2023 15:31

Tinkerbyebye · 30/05/2023 15:24

I would just pop round, with the long list of what’s needed and a probable timescale and apologise but then she has to accept this will be how it is for a while

This, but also it's not OK to have loud ( or audible) building work going on on Sundays or Public holidays or in the evenings after about 7pm- there is legislation about this.
However she is being a bit sensitive - having just had a lot of plastering done at my house it really is not noisy for most of the process. The problem is possibly that windows are open, workmen are playing the radio or chatting, the carpets are up so minimal insulation and she can hear every little thing.
You might need to compromise with timings.

SummerSimmer · 30/05/2023 15:33

I had the opposite situation where my elderly neighbours on both sides got a lot of work done one after the other. I feel sorry for the neighbour, the noise really does impact quality of life.
All you can do is stick to sociable hours and tell her an approximate end date (maybe add a month or so on for possible delays).

Nanalisa60 · 30/05/2023 15:33

A plasterer ? They don’t make any noise, just tell her sorry house has to be done just let her know when it all should be done.

ANutAsBigAsABoulder · 30/05/2023 15:34

While tradies can’t help making noise with the work they’re doing, are they blasting music or radio? My neighbours had a month of work in their house before they moved in, and the booming bass of talksport radio voices was a constant PITA. Even after we asked them to turn it down, it travelled through the walls because I’d become hypersensitive to it. Could that be part of the issue she has?

ohtowinthelottery · 30/05/2023 15:36

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SummerSimmer · 30/05/2023 15:38

t's an 'elderly' neighbour. I very much doubt Bank Holidays, or weekends for that matter, are of any significance to them - unless they've got family round!
The law disagrees.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 30/05/2023 15:39

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People of all ages are entitled to enjoy a quiet Bank Holiday.

GoodChat · 30/05/2023 15:40

Nanalisa60 · 30/05/2023 15:33

A plasterer ? They don’t make any noise, just tell her sorry house has to be done just let her know when it all should be done.

They do if they're putting in plasterboard, which they probably will be if shes had a full rewire.

GoodChat · 30/05/2023 15:40

They also have to mix the plaster - that's noisy

Elle087 · 30/05/2023 15:42

SummerSimmer · 30/05/2023 15:38

t's an 'elderly' neighbour. I very much doubt Bank Holidays, or weekends for that matter, are of any significance to them - unless they've got family round!
The law disagrees.

The Law only applies to noisy building works
A plasterer will make very little noise for a neighbour, if any.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 30/05/2023 15:42

It's an 'elderly' neighbour. I very much doubt Bank Holidays, or weekends for that matter, are of any significance to them - unless they've got family round!

You are being very ageist here.

Anon6842 · 30/05/2023 15:43

Would she rather she lived next door to a dilapidated building left to rot and ruin? She should be grateful it’s finally getting fixed up and it will increase the value of her property.
So long as it’s during daytime/ early evening hours, it’s just something she has to expect.

Ihaveshitfriends · 30/05/2023 15:48

We’re currently renovating and done 3 previous houses. When we meet the neighbours we explain the problems the house has (current house they were well aware luckily) then we explain what we plan to do and how long it should take. We have offered to do all at once or in increments in the past to give them a break. We never let trades work before 8 or after 6 and never Sunday or bank holidays! We have paid for previous neighbours to have their driveway cleaned as we were having ours done and felt it was fair to them for the noise and disruption we caused them.
Its horrible living next a building site never mind the noise the dust is awful!!

Elphame · 30/05/2023 15:48

If it's trades during the week and family working at weekends the poor woman is probably suffering the noise 7 days a week with no respite. No wonder she's at breaking point. Elderly or not.

Having been there with my own neighbours who did that it's sheer hell. Even the slightest noise then becomes intolerable.

YaWeeSkitter · 30/05/2023 15:48

Elle087 · 30/05/2023 15:42

The Law only applies to noisy building works
A plasterer will make very little noise for a neighbour, if any.

Show quote history

If you think plastering in quiet from the other side of the wall point of view you have never been in that situation. There is a lot of noise in the prep and application of plaster . Repetitive 'sweeping' and small but significant knocking noises carry a lot through to a quiet space next door.

FatCatBum · 30/05/2023 15:50

bibbityboppityboo · 30/05/2023 15:29

What noise was a plasterer making that she objected to??

I think PP is right - give her an approx end date and say you'll try to keep evening / weekend work to a minimum. It's a big change from a silent empty house, but it'll be over eventually!

If they are taking the old plaster off it can be noisy

Butterflybutterflies · 30/05/2023 15:50

Do you think the noise is excessive or reasonable for the work that is being done?

My mum has a friend who currently has an empty house next door to her. An elderly lady was living there alone, she was very quiet.

My mums friend has told her that she doesn’t want any big renovations done on the house or a family moving in due to the noise they will make. The house needs a complete makeover!
I know that whoever buys the house will have to deal with multiple complaints and she will not be satisfied however accommodating the new people may be.

Heronwatcher · 30/05/2023 15:50

I think it depends on what noise she’s hearing.
Did the plasterer have one of those massive radios?
I agree, I think you should give her an approximate schedule and estimated completion date.
I also think you should have one day a week where you say that no work will be done unless essential (and you’ll tell her if that day changes).
Are you living there? If not I would be there as much as you can and also drop in at random times.
We had this earlier this year- terrace next door was being renovated. The family rented a flat elsewhere and left the rest of the street to suffer! The builders were PERFECT when the owner was there, quiet, calm and polite. As soon as the owner left it was like bedlam, Rihanna at full blast, swearing and shouting, noisy work well into the evening, massive vehicles reversing with that annoying beeping at all hours. The owners had no idea of why everyone was complaining!

bussteward · 30/05/2023 15:54

My plasterers are here today making noise! Hammering boards on, mixing stuff, going up and down the stairs in big boots, working in an empty room with floorboards, so echoey. Even if it’s not noise on par with floor sanding, it’s the cumulative effect of living next door to endless renovation and having no control over it, it puts you on edge. If you’re mixing trades in the day with family at the weekend, she probably never gets a day off the racket.