Is it common decency to inform neighbours who wfh about loud noises?

[Pouche]

Neighbours have literally removed their entire hedge and whilst that is being wood chipped down on their drive there is also a drill being used for the construction of a new fence. The noise is unbelievable. Detached houses with wide-ish plots.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking the nice thing to do would be to inform next door neighbours?

Especially when you know they wfh and have young kids.

No, I wouldn't bother informing them.

@Pouche you don't think we actually believe that's your photo?????

errr I'm not claiming it to be….my point is it is a bit of stretch to consider pneumatic drilling as gardening

You are more unreasonable having a child at home when you are supposedly working

On the noise issue, I am experiencing similar today. I have no idea what is going on outside but there has been constant drilling all morning. No notice given and I have just said to people on calls apologies if you hear any background noise. I have just dealt with it.

If you have the luxury of wfh then you need to accept that the lives of your neighbours still goes on while you work

YANBU to think it's the nice thing to do. It would have been helpful and neighbourly to let you know. However I think that's all it is, a nice to do not a need to do, given it's just for one day.

It would be nice, but generally, I wouldn't hold my breath.

If it’s just a day of work, I wouldn’t call it inconsiderate of them. Ok you work from home, but many people work from here and noise isnt an issue (if you’re just programming on a computer for example). I guess if they are fully aware of the type of work you do, and that it requires relative quiet, and that the work will take several hours, then yes a heads up would have been nice.

So you're working from home and looking after nap aged children at the same time?

This is why bosses are asking people to come back to the office.

We would let people know. But people around us don’t give a shit. One neighbour was told by their builder to warn the neighbours about dust and one just blocked us in to build their driveway. If they had said we would have happily moved off the drive for the day.

No is the answer to your question

Could also argue that moaning on the internet after 3 hours of noise is sign of increasing intolerance.

No I wouldn't inform because I wouldn't have a clue whether my neighbours wfh, a hybrid or no work at all.

True. But perhaps common decency and politeness might dictate popping round just to say there is going to be a bit of noise for a few days. Being considerate goes a long way

A longer term project like an extension yes I would but not for the type of work you describe.

If you rtft you'll see there's a childminder.

nah

Only on Mumsnet is there so much tiptoeing around neighbours. I've moved regularly (over 20 houses and flats) never once have I had a heads up from a neighbour nor given one and all been fine. It's just part of living in the world. My feeling is, you start this, you hand power over to people who will then feel emboldened to enforce their will on you. Noise is normal. they have nothing to prepare you for or apologise for

It’s not really about intolerance, it’s about human decency, which there seems to be a distinct lack of these days. There is no obligation to inform neighbours of noisy work, but taking a few moments to pop round and let them know is both considerate and polite. It also helps to build good relationships with neighbours, which go a long way in living in harmony

Could also argue that moaning on the internet after 3 hours of noise is sign of increasing intolerance.

Yup.
Plus, there is the point that you could happen to have some drilling or other noise outside your office building too. Noise happens.

Out of interest OP, As you clearly have a baby or toddler in your house when working, how do you prevent their noise reaching the people you are on calls to ?

I think it really depends on where you live, who you live next to and what your relationship with them is like.

My neighbours are all disrespectful twats so I wouldn't ever bother to warn them of anything but they also wouldn't do the same for me either.

If my neighbours were decent, respectful, nice people then I probably would. Tried to before actually, knocked to warn a neighbour we'd be drilling and he told us we couldn't because his then girlfriend was still asleep (at 11am) had to try explain that we were not asking permission.

The childminder the OP employs?

My office is in an attic room. Kids are not allowed up here.

She's not the one looking after the child!

Of course you CAN behave as you want if there’s no law against something @brunettemic . But that doesn’t mean you should.

It’s common courtesy

And comments about the normal noise of children vis a vis loud drilling are just stupid. There’s no comparison

Is it heck as like!

I’ve worked from home for over 20 years and I think the OP is being precious. It’s annoying but you get in with life.

Workmen come at their convenience, rarely anyone else’s. If you work from home that’s part of life.