To think that if you have noisy unnecessary building works done, you lose the right to object to noise made by your neighbours?

[CrispieCake]

Inspired by another thread. AIBU to think that if you subject your neighbours to months of disruption and misery in their own homes so that you can have a bigger kitchen or loft conversion (and particularly if you move elsewhere so you're not disturbed), then it's open season on you as far as noise is concerned from then on? You lose your right to object to your neighbours' babies crying, kids screaming, pool parties, garden raves, essentially any lawful use of their property from then onwards. And if you try to complain to them, they're fully justified in laughing incredulously, shutting the door in your face and inviting 20 5 year olds round to go wild in the paddling pool.

I know I'm not BU on this but interested to know what others think.

And who put you in charge of determining which works are 'unnecessary?', OP

All these people lucky enough to have renovations next to them that finished at 4pm!! We had our neighbours renovations for 6 months. They lived elsewhere. Started 8am carried on until 6pm sometimes 7pm some nights. Worked weekends one weekend started at 730. Caused damaged to our property despite involving solicitors its never been fixed. Disruption with vans deliveries. Rude builders. They inherited a property and unfortunately just aren't and weren't very nice

They dared complain after we had a summer barbecue that went on until 12am. We have these once a year. Not. Always until 12 usually done by 10pm

I oicldnt give a monkeys about once a year events. We both have older children too.

@FishersGate . So many people I know have had experiences like this. Where neighbours get arsey about having to pay for surveyors as they want to instruct their own or fix damage or because they don't want scaffolding in their gardens. And builders conduct work in an intimidating and anti-social manner.

I mean, I get it to some extent. People often max themselves out financially to afford home improvements. And it's stressful because the costs rise and they overrun, and neighbours complaining is just another stress.

But at the end of it, you hopefully get the benefit of your shiny, improved house - so don't screw over the poor sods next door who don't get any benefit whatsoever from all the disruption they've endured due to you! Pay for the surveyor, fix the damage and insist that your builders (who you are paying) show consideration to your neighbours.

Likewise for various other posters on here 😂. Though I don't really see what they have to do with it tbh.

@CrispieCake I understand your frustrations. I've lived with noisy neighbours and it's awful.
But there is a difference between deliberate, inconsiderate noise at unsociable times and building work.

The reason I think you're being unreasonable is the comments about the necessity of home improvements. You seem to think it's entirely unreasonable that someone would want to improve their home, which is ridiculous. Unfortunately if you have neighbours at some point one of them (or one day it might be you) are going to want or need to have building work done. That's normal.

I get what you are saying. It's a bit rich for someone to create absolute carnage levels of chaos and noise for months only to complain over a single 50th birthday party or 30 mins of violin playing. The contrast is sort of comedic it's so bad.

But it's your wording that suggests you mean months of chaos means they forever more can't expect quiet from their neighbours which comes across as unreasonable

Well, it’s 10:30 a.m.on Sunday here in the US and the drilling has started up. The neighbors must be away again so the contractor is getting some work done.

I could report them, but tbh, I just want it finished ASAP! We’re hoping to redo the bathroom this year so they’d better not complain about any noise!!!

There are days when I think about turning my back on MN and never visiting again.

Today was one of those days until a read this thread.

Thank you OP.

Well OP I do get it, really is the owners responsibility to work with the builders to try and keep disruption to neighbours to a minimum.

My neighbour and I both had extensions in the last 2 years and our poor other neighbours had to put up with a skanky portable loo outside our houses for 3 months, twice!

I was really keen to ensure no Saturday working though.

Quite honestly I'm surprised they didn't invite the local primary school round to do practice for the ukulele assembly in revenge.

@CrispieCake I am 100% with you!
I live in an area full of terraced houses where basement extensions have become quite fashionable, and it’s not unusual for people to take 2 years or more to complete their works.
It’s noisy, dirty, the damage from the dirt and all that is never really covered by the party agreements which just cover the most visible structural damage, it’s a total eyesore, and it’s so unnecessary.
If you need all that space don’t buy a little terraced house.

If on top of that they start to be annoying about your noise they have a hell of an attitude.
As far as I’m concerned a basement extension should mean a lifetime free noise pass for your neighbours.

Exactly! I mean, that's the sort of attitude which goes a long way to making up for doing intrusive, lengthy building works.

"I'm not really a fan of the brass band practice which takes place at your house weekly on a Tuesday evening, but on the other hand, we ruined your maternity leave, tanked your mental health and put cracks in the walls of your newly decorated nursery so you know what, we'll lie low and keep schtum for a while".

Of course you are unreasonable. It depends on the noise.
Building works are very annoying but necessary. Crying babies and noisy children are natural and can't be helped.
Noisy garden parties and blaring music in the garden isn't necessary and are definitely cause doe complaint.

How many rights do two wrongs make?

Sometimes it's not about right and wrong but about karma.

So you’re complaining about what someone is doing then being a child and doing the same thing back???
petty and yes very unreasonable.

Who said anything about complaining?

More taking the noise as permission to "match their energy".

You’re either off your box or you are just a troll looking for a reaction because people do not think this way! Absolutely insane post

Ah ok so you aren’t even grown up enough to actually complain to them you are literally acting like a spoilt brat for the sake of it or just having a boring evening and fancy some entertainment so make up a stupid post who knows either way. Get a grip

YABU, and also petty. (And in response to one of your comments, I’ve never had building work done on my house. So it’s not just those people who think you’re being ridiculous)

Wow. One angry, petty woman. Came to ask opinions when she doesn't need anyone else's opinions as she's ALWAYS right. Chavitude.

God, the random dramatic insults on this thread! She put up with building noise for a long time, and then it appears got tongue in cheek mad (on this thread only) when they came around and complained about some noise she had inadvertently made. And then got hammered on this thread and responded in kind at times. Honestly, give over.

I know someone whose neighbours were doing diy on new years day into the party wall. I mean you woukd think new yrs day is the one day you just don't do that kinda thing.

If the noise is kept between the noisy hours set by the council fine. My neighbours are starting an extension lucky I go to the office for work but if it was me doing it and next door is stay at home mum I'm sure she would hate the noise since it will be during the whole day.

But I get it OP for them to come plain about your children noise wasn't right

100% this.