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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell the workmen to f off or get compensation?

35 replies

Jayne25 · 28/05/2025 08:26

Ncr. Just after advice please. Moved into a new build 4 years ago, and the estate where I live was complete.or so I thought! Yet, every so often (a few times a year) there are workmen directly outside of my house (like on my doorstep!) doing more work, underground, the road, the pond next to where I live. Currently there's work going on for drainage (why it wasn't in place when they built the houses I don't know) supposed to last a week. This was last Monday it started. It's still ongoing. But it's literally vibrating my whole house! All day from 8am and when I say 8am, I mean on the dot or just before. ALL DAY! the noise is unbearable and really hard to bear with especially since I work from home. I'm an understanding person so I know work needs to be completed. But the disruption it's causing is really uncomfortable. Where do I stand ? Can I be compensated? Because my anxiety is through the roof. My sleep is being disturbed. My home isn't comfortable because of the noise and vibrations. Any advice appreciated, thanks 😊

OP posts:
QuickFawn · 28/05/2025 08:27

Who’s doing the work?

MmeChoufleur · 28/05/2025 08:32

I think it’s just one of those inconveniences that you have to suck up. Our neighbours bought the house next door, knocked it down and rebuilt on the land. The noise was incredible for about 9 months straight, all day every day. There will always be remedial works needed on a new build estate. Issues often don’t come to light for months/years afterwards.

Aneatsidestep · 28/05/2025 08:32

The workmen will chuckle to themselves and crack on op if you tell them to “fu*k off”

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 28/05/2025 08:32

So a few times a year you have workmen doing stuff in your street during the working day?
No I don't think you'll be entitled to compensation.

Meadowfinch · 28/05/2025 08:33

Of course you can't claim compensation. People are allowed to work between 8 & 5 (or 6?) week days and Saturdays and make necessary noise. At the moment I can hear hammering, drilling and a massive diesel lorry with reversing beepers delivering to a site across my road. They'll be working all day.

Try ear plugs, white noise or look online for a local pub that offers a wfh space. They'll usually let you work there & provide coffee & wifi, for a few £ a day. Or can you go to a friend or relative or colleague?

MissMoneyFairy · 28/05/2025 08:35

Do you get advance warning, is it essential work, have you been in touch with the original builders or agents. What at do you mean they are on your doorstep. Sounds horrendous.

Hoardasurass · 28/05/2025 08:36

Why is it disturbing your sleep if its only going on during the day? You work from home during the day so it's not as if you're trying to sleep then.
Also they are working during reasonable daytime hours so no you can't tell them to fuck off nor are you entitled to any compensation

Aneatsidestep · 28/05/2025 08:37

Hoardasurass · 28/05/2025 08:36

Why is it disturbing your sleep if its only going on during the day? You work from home during the day so it's not as if you're trying to sleep then.
Also they are working during reasonable daytime hours so no you can't tell them to fuck off nor are you entitled to any compensation

Good observation!

Calmdownpeople · 28/05/2025 08:39

OP it might be annoying but it’s not illegal and if it’s essential work then surely you want it done - if not for you then for your neighbours.

Why would you be entitled to compensation? Especially if it’s essential work. The better solution for that couple days a year is to find somewhere else to work on those days.

Right now I have both neighbours having extensions, across the road having an extension and they are digging up the road down my street and around the corner and the road behind us. It’s just life and the way it is.

IAmTheLogLady · 28/05/2025 08:39

If you want to complain you need to check the guidance in your area.
We have had similar issues with builders working beyond their reasonable hours. We've made complaints and it's the landlords/ landowners who ended up getting a fine.

Sofiewoo · 28/05/2025 08:40

A few times a year? YABU

MuggleMe · 28/05/2025 08:41

Our whole 400+ house estate is getting gas pipes replaced. It's been going on for weeks and they've barely made a dent. We've had our drive dug up and huge machinery drilling. And we had to park our car elsewhere for over a week. But that's life.

Spirallingdownwards · 28/05/2025 08:42

If it is between 8am and 6pm Mon to Fri or 8am and 1pm Saturdays it is classed as normal working day noise.

Further there isn't cause for a noise complaint for work on a construction site between those hours.

CatRescueNeeded · 28/05/2025 08:44

I’m sure they aren’t there just for the fun of it. Surely if there’s a drainage issue outside your house then you want it fixed asap

of course you can’t tell them to F off or ask for compensation when they are working reasonable hours

Teajenny7 · 28/05/2025 08:46

Could you work from the office or one of the 'work from home' centres?

Shedmistress · 28/05/2025 08:49

I'd probably go down and say 'Hi chaps, hows it going? Do you know how much longer this work will take? Are we looking days or weeks?'

ButterBites · 28/05/2025 08:49

On what grounds do you think you’re entitled to compensation?

yestothat · 28/05/2025 08:49

Why are you directing you anger at the workmen?

they’re not coming and making noise in their free time for fun, they’re doing their job that they were hired and paid to do.

2ndbestslayer · 28/05/2025 08:52

Shedmistress · 28/05/2025 08:49

I'd probably go down and say 'Hi chaps, hows it going? Do you know how much longer this work will take? Are we looking days or weeks?'

Yes, I'd definitely start with that rather than telling them to fuck off. Could also be worth asking who they're doing the work for so you have someone to contact to maybe ask if notice can be given in future.

Boredlass · 28/05/2025 08:53

I’ve had people come into my front garden to do work. They are doing it everywhere on the estate. I don’t care. If they are working then it’s necessary. Get a grip

navelgazing · 28/05/2025 08:55

yestothat · 28/05/2025 08:49

Why are you directing you anger at the workmen?

they’re not coming and making noise in their free time for fun, they’re doing their job that they were hired and paid to do.

Don't know why the image of them coming and playing and making a ruckus in the streets having fun like children made me crack up

Nominative · 28/05/2025 09:02

Well, you could tell them to fuck off. It'll get you precisely nowhere.

Why allow it to make you anxious? Why not just arrange to go into your office or work somewhere else for a short time?

Mrsttcno1 · 28/05/2025 09:27

You’re not entitled to any compensation, this is literally just part of life

Kipperandarthur · 28/05/2025 09:39

It's just one of those things. Why on earth do you think you should receive compensation for workmen doing necessary works near your house a couple of times a year?

navelgazing · 28/05/2025 09:40

If they don't do the work you'll be knee deep in shit water and house expenses

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