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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would I be unreasonable to call out 'neighbour' on their DIY habits?

10 replies

bellalula · 07/08/2024 01:29

The owner of the house next door to me is driving me up the wall with the disruption from their recent intensive DIY project. He turns up at about 7pm every evening and then proceeds to 'do stuff' to his summer house in the garden (He doesn't actually live in the house, it's been a second home/renovation project the whole 10 years he's owned it). So we get sawing, hammering, drilling noises intermittently all evening from a wide selection of power and hand tools. This has been going on for 3 weeks now, every single evening from 7pm through til about 10 or 11pm (seems to be getting progressively later each night, tonight was 11:30pm), as well as all day and evening on the weekends. Sometimes he plays music on his bluetooth speaker, usually 'motivational' death metal. The frequency of the noise generally reduces around 9pm (dusk here), but every now and again another power tool fires up for another few seconds.

This summerhouse is basically an 8ftx6ft glorified shed, it's been there a couple of years, so I can't for the life of me fathom how he's made 3 weeks work out of tarting up the inside of it. Each evening, as he's worked a bit later before scurrying off home again, I've been left thinking, "ah he's just stayed a bit later to get it all finished off". But no, next evening he's back again resuming the work. I'm almost beginning to wonder if he's fell out with his DW and he's coming round here to escape from her!

Now we've actually had some decent weather in the last 3 weeks, so I'd have quite liked to sit in my garden to relax in the evening. But it wouldn't be pleasurable at all because this noisy work is going on 5ft away - it's right behind the fence at the side of my patio. My younger kids are primary school age, and their back bedroom faces towards where all this DIY is going on. They normally go to bed about 9pm, and with this heat, they obviously need their window open at night. Except the inconsiderate bloke next door is still making noise way beyond then. Thankfully it's not kept the kids awake too much, although I've been letting them stay up later than usual so they're more tired by the time the do get into bed.

This bloke has young kids of his own, so he's not completely oblivious to what time kids go to bed, and that his noisy DIY would be an issue. The reduced frequency of the loudest noises after 9pm suggests he's well of the disruption he's causing, just not feeling guilty enough to cut it out completely. I'm pretty sure if his neighbours where his family actually lives made so DIY noise into the evening just once, He'd be kicking off about it. Never mind repeatedly, every night.

Despite our houses and gardens being so close together, in all his recent comings and goings I've not seen him to speak to, he's been quite careful to keep his head down and skulk about, avoiding bumping into me. Am I expecting too much for him to knock on my door or stick his head over the fence when he's heard me in my garden, and just say something, anything? Maybe apologise for the duration and timing of the noise, or explain how much longer he'll be doing this? That would seem like a basic courtesy to me, but maybe I'm being unreasonable there?

Clearly, he's got a day job, so he can only fit in his DIY activities in the evening, but is it fair that I've to put up with it like this every night?

Am I being too sensitive, or would I be justified to corner him and voice my displeasure?

OP posts:
JustTalkToThem · 07/08/2024 01:32

Doesn’t sound like he’s doing much of anything wrong. If you feel that strongly about it you could … you know… talk to him about it. If he’s 5ft away you could just call over.

but I think you’re being unreasonable

Meadowfinch · 07/08/2024 03:15

You need to talk to him. Power tools and hammering should be finished by 7pm if within a few feet of a neighbour's bedroom windows.

You need to explain that your children can't sleep and that he's preventing you from enjoying a quiet hour in your garden.

He won't alter his habits if he doesn't know they are a problem. And some men are mind-blowingly dense when it comes to such things.

If he refuses to change, contact the council and get the noise nuisance people involved.

74Violette · 11/08/2024 18:22

My neighbour would get his screetchy, mega loud band saw out every night on his patio until 10pm. It meant I could never enjoy any time in my own garden a few feet away on the other side of the fence.

I finally got the council to have a word and they told him he shouldn't really be doing it in a residential area after 6pm.

BeckiBoBecki · 13/08/2024 22:10

Just talk to him for Christs sake.

maverickfox · 13/08/2024 22:36

Call environmental health and they will have a word. Loud DIY noise is classed as anti social behaviour and he should stop at 6pm. It’s very antisocial to do this in the evening on a regular basis. Once in a while is fair enough.

danielwell · 08/02/2025 13:15

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all—11:30 pm is way too late for power tools, especially in a residential area. It’s one thing to do DIY projects in the evening, but regular late-night noise affecting your ability to relax and your kids' sleep is inconsiderate. Since he seems to be avoiding direct contact, maybe a polite but firm note or a quick word next time you see him would help? Something like, 'I totally get that you’re working on a project, but could you please keep the noisy work to earlier hours?' might get the point across without escalating things. Hopefully, he’s reasonable enough to adjust!

danielwell · 22/02/2025 11:16

You're definitely not being unreasonable! Three weeks of constant evening noise, especially past 9-10 PM, is excessive. It’s one thing to do DIY projects, but it’s another to be completely inconsiderate of neighbors who want to enjoy their garden or get some peace at night. Since he’s actively avoiding interaction, maybe a polite but firm conversation (or even a note if he’s hard to catch) is worth a try. You shouldn’t have to put up with this indefinitely!

danielwell · 01/03/2025 12:31

You’re definitely not being unreasonable—it’s completely fair to want some peace and quiet in the evenings, especially when it’s affecting your ability to relax and your kids’ bedtime routine. While DIY projects are understandable, working that late every night for weeks without any communication is inconsiderate. Maybe try catching him in a neutral moment and politely bringing it up? Something like, “Hey, I totally get that you have limited time for your project, but the late-night noise has been tough on our household. Would you mind wrapping up a bit earlier?” That way, you’re addressing it without starting a confrontation. Hopefully, he’ll be reasonable about it!

Sparkletastic · 01/03/2025 12:36

Why have you resurrected a zombie thread @danielwell ?

TeaRoseTallulah · 01/03/2025 12:37

If he works in the day when else is he supposed to get it done? I think 9 or 10 is fine, any later and I'd be complaining. What would piss me off is the music and I'd ask him to wear ear buds. It won't go on forever, he must've nearly finished by now.

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