To think neighbours should have warned us about loud construction work?

[dampsquib94]

We're in a link detached and the work is going on in their garage, so it sounds like it's in the next room to our bedroom and sitting room. There have been jack hammers going since eight o'clock this morning, pretty much non stop. They KNOW we have a baby, who is unable to sleep and is now having to be taken out for a several hour drive (old enough that this isn't dangerous, thankfully!) to catch up on sleep!

AIBU to think they could at least have sent a text along the lines of "having some work done, might be a bit noisy between (times) over the next (however long)"? It seems to be quite extensive work they're having done, so god knows how many days in a row my child will be expected to sleep in a car in 25-30 degree heat!

AIBU?

Yes, they should have.

Why don’t you go round and ask how long the work will be going on for, and see if you can come to an agreement about the timing of noisy work?

What could you have done differently if they had told you? If it’s possible for you to visit family or something, go round and ask your neighbours how long they expect it to be noisy. Otherwise, I’m not sure what good it would have done.

I guess they might have been hoping you wouldn't notice. And didn't want to get into a conversation about it. Or they were just only thinking about themselves.

Just politely ask them how long it will be going on for as it's very noisy in your house. They may not fully realise it's so annoying.

Hopefully it'll be finished soon!

They're not in-- they've clearly gone out for the day. Nice for some!

A few years ago, I would have agreed with you that it is normal courtesy to warn neighbours of loud construction work.

However, recent experience has taught me that it only takes one difficult neighbour to imagine that a note through the door in advance or a text message can be imagined to constitute an invitation to complain about literally anything, whether related to the work or not (a traffic jam on the road that was nothing to do with us or our builders, but to a bus that got stuck on a narrow bend, construction noise that wasn't from our builders, who were on holiday, but from work in an entirely different house), to filming the construction workers over the wall, to standing in their front garden performatively looking at their watch in case someone bangs a hammer ten seconds before eight o'clock.

So I have chosen not to warn neighbours at all about this round of work. Builders will be potentially making noise between 8 am and 4.30 pm five days a week for about 4 months. I can't do anything about that, because I have a house with no kitchen and one missing external wall.

Sorry but yes yabu.
It would have been nice of them to say about the work being done but in the gentlest way your baby's lack of sleep/sleep routine is nobodies problem but yours, do you honestly expect them not to have work done to their garage just because you have a baby who's a poor sleeper?
Dose your baby keep your neighbours up at night aswell? I'm just wondering how they know your baby has sleep issues.
But anyway 8am is a reasonable time to start noisy building work

Yes they should have, it wouldn't make the noise any less but at least you'd have been informed with an expected timeframe.
Our neighbours never informed us either, they gutted the house and both gardens, new fences, rebuilt everything and ruined a really decent Summer for us with noise and dust & 7 days a week, it was alright for them, they weren't living there!

It would have been nice. Decent, even. Oh well, I suppose it won't be too much of a hassle now that we stop being decent and helpful in return!

I get you are frustrated but gently, YABU. They can't not have work done just because you have a baby- yes it might have been nice to let you know, but would it have made much difference? What would you have done differently?

My question is not whether they're being unreasonable to have the work done. My question is whether I'm unreasonable to think they could have warned us.

Typical uncaring replies of 'what good would knowing about it have done' ! Well you could plan ahead so it wouldn't come as a shock, you would also know how long the work is going on for. I'd suggest going round later to try to find out, as you can't avoid the disruption but at least mentally you'll be more prepared. YANBU.

And my answer to that is the same- it might have been nice to let you know, but what would you have done differently?

Gone and stayed with family, if for a reasonable period of time.

So is that a yes your baby disturbs them or a yes they shouldn't get work done because of your babies sleep issues?

Why cant you ask and go now then?

Personally I dont expect my neighbours to tell me when they have work done and I dont expect to tell my neighbours either. It wouldn't even cross my mind to let them know what I have going on in my home.
Noise in the day is normal regardless of volume.

Yes, it is extremely discourteous not to give neighbours advance notice. Also, make sure they stick to ‘working hours’ regulations of your council.

But I do think stupid stamp duty rates have contributed to a surge of renovations to extend space rather than moving into a more appropriate property.

an abolition of stamp duty and a sensible progressive property tax would be far better in many ways.

Yes, out of courtesy, your neighbours should have told you.

Sorry you are having to listen to this - building noise is the worst, especially with a baby.

I'd be more concerned about what they are turning the garage into. You don't live in a link detached you live in a semi detached. The premium you paid for a 'link' is likely to have now evaporated.

Do babies need actually total silence?

Nope and its considered poor sleep hygiene to try and enforce silence during nap time

Yes, I always think it's polite to let people know, but as a rule, most people don't. And irritating though it is, they're not really doing anything wrong by not telling you.

Our NDN builders have been turning up pre 8 am which has been very irritating and we've had to make a couple of complaints.

I agree with @myheadsjustmush It is basic neighbourly politeness.

Me and DH both work from home. NDN homeschools one dc and her DH sometimes works from home. We always give each other the heads up if we have work happening in the house or garden. It gives people the chance to make plans or adjustments, if needed.

For example, NDN having gardeners in cutting back hedges…DH will pop into town and work in a quiet cafe. When we had decking work done, NDN decided to work from his office in London instead of from home. All very straightforward really.

the fact that you have a baby is neither here nor there in terms of them getting work done or not.

IMO a heads up to you would have been neighbourly. Perhaps they just didn't think of it. If relations up to now have been OK why not drop them a note saying that it was a surprise, it's very loud, how long is it going on?

no need to go nuclear.

I agree that day to day noise is good for babies - they don't need total silence.

But, @dampsquib94 is referring to a jack hammer, being used pretty much constantly - which is hardly classed as normal day to day noise, is it?