to think im should be able to do DIY at 8pm without neighbours knocking after 10 mins

[lisad123]

DH is cureectly remvong some bricks from fireplace, so involves a little bit of knocking. Their childrenare older, so not in bed. Its impossible to do this when our girls are awake.
Well 10 mintues in, she knocks and tells me i have made her mothers pic fall off the wall onto her dds head
I asked if pic was broken and if dd was ok, she said she didnt know as she had come straight to see me.
Will be finihsed in about 20mins, aibu to reply "it wont be much longer, let me know if dd is ok".

[MerryMadMarg]

Good for you for going around. The noise can actually be worse next door - I speak from experience!

Some pre warning for your neighbours is the best thing, if you can't avoid doing work in the evenings.

You do need to check your council website to make sure evening work is allowed, though. Some councils prohibit any noisy DIY work after a certain time unless it is emergency work (ie the roof is going to fall down or the place is flooded - not that you just don't have the time during the day). Other council's just say 'try to avoid evening work'.

Check the 'noise' section on their website.

[SalLikesEggnogUnderMistletoe]

Sorry, but I think you were being unreasonable. And yes, she was exaggerating, but it doesn't change the fact that this should be a relaxing time for all.

[lisad123]

spoke to her today, she hadnt gone out last night but gone to bed, so cant have been that bad tbh. I took some choccys for the kiddies and explain the dh would be doing more banging today for about an hour. She was fine
Im dreading the noise of laying the new floor

[Earlybird]

Agree it is too late - especially during holidays when people are at home relaxing.

Am amazed that your own dc could sleep through that sort of banging, tbh!

[kslatts]

I don't think 8pm is too late, I think anytime between 9am and 9pm is fine.

[mayorquimby]

yabu, it is you that need/want the diy done so it is you who should take reasonable steps steps to make sure that no one else is disturbed by it. and it is you who should have to suffer the inconvenience of it by your husband not seeing his kids for an hour. not your neighbours simply because you have judged your husbands need to see his kids for an hour greater than her needs to have a bit of peace and quiet in the evening (especially during the holidays), because i'm sure she'd disagree with your judgment, as have the majority of people on this thread.

[ForeverOptimistic]

YABU. DIY should not be carried out after 7 p.m.

[piscesmoon]

I think if you are doing DIY your first priority are your neighbours! If it is difficult with DCs in the day then one of you takes them out, but you shouldn't be disturbing people after 8pm.

[TLESinChristmasStockings]

I have done DIY of an evening when I moved into my new place. and doing when the lo's were in bed was a darn sight easier than when they were up.

[Chandon]

8pm is an hour to relax, and imho yabu for thinking it is an acceptable hour to do DIY.

[LucyEllensmummy]

You were knocking bricks out of the wall at 8pm? Your neighbour is exaggerating, but that is unreasonable, do it during the day when one of you takes your children out.

[SpankyouHardOnChristmasNight]

Why not chat to your neighbours and say that you need to spend x amount of time at 8pm one night to get this job done and which night would they prefer? Apologies profusely and say you know it's awfully unsociable etc etc etc and that you value their help with this and you're terribly sorry but wanted to give them the choice of which night to minimise the impact.

[piscesmoon]

YABU-especially in a holiday period.

[sosadandtired]

And why choose the christmas period to do it anyway? Normally a time for families to spend precious quality time together.

[sosadandtired]

as someone who's life is made miserable by noisy neighbours, I think YABU. Why wait and do DIY in the evening when people are trying to relax when it can be done during the day? Like others have said, could you not pop out with your children for an hour or so while your DH gets on with it?

[TLESinChristmasStockings]

TBH I don't think YABU. I have had complaints from idiotic neighbours upstairs over idiotic things like 1yr old crying, washing machine too loud, The bass on my tv/home cinema too loud, halloween party too loud, drier too loud, to name but a few....BUT when they moved in a week after me they were drilling at stupid o'clock every day and night and I never said a word.

8pm is not a prob for me 11,12,1,2,on the other hand is.

[mediocrebronze]

doesnt

[mediocrebronze]

Why don't he take the girls out for the day while you bash away at the fireplace.

[roisin]

Our neighbour does lots of noisy DIY at various times of the day. Occasionally it's a bit irritating - but that's life, we never complain.

However, we got a Wii Family Trainer for Christmas, and when we play on it it sounds like a herd of elephants: so we're getting our own back now!

[Moondancer]

Oh that explains it! I was about to suggest that you make as much noise as possible! Glad you have got better neighbours now.

[misdee]

moondancer, the man with older kids, big dog etc have moved out i think, and these people have been there a few months.

[lisad123]

ah yes the man and his sons moved out about 6months ago. We now have a mum and her girls instead. Lovely girls and loads better than boys
Still got the moany lady and her 40year old son the other side