How to keep neighbours happy during building work

[MrsHarveySpecterV]

We are getting an extension built at the back of our house. We spoke to both neighbours about the plans and went through any questions they had. We have asked our builders not to park in front of the neighbours houses if possible so that their visitors can park easily. We are only having builders here weekdays 8am-5pm. My worry is that the neighbours will get fed up because the builders have to remove part of the fences and fence posts between our properties. We spoke to them about this and of course we are going to pay to replace the posts and fencing and they are fine with it but I'm aware that they could get fed up. Both neighbours are mid 70s single men, we have children who won't be playing in the garden while building work goes on.
Is there anything we can do to thank them for their co-operation or to lessen any disruption to them? Thanks in advance!

Can you get your builders to warn the neighbours before any specifically loud bits of building or dusty work? So they can shut windows or go out?

We're in the same state. So far lots of updates (weekly) seem to be well received, so they don't feel it's going on forever. And requests that they contact you if they have any questions/concerns at all.

And I'm planning small gifts when we're finally in.

The absolutely best thing you can do is make damn sure it doesn't run over schedule. Even if you have to nag your builders every single day.

There's a house near me still having major works done 3 months after it was due to be finished. It's pissing off most of their neighbours massively.

I think if you keep the lines of communication open, that will go a long way to happiness. i.e. maybe pop round weekly or fortnightly to assure them things are on track for the planned deadline, and that next week they'll be a bit noisier because xyz, we will ensure they keep it to notified times etc, just checking you have our numbers in case there is any issue blahblah

Forewarned is forearmed etc.

And then after it's all done, a small thank you gift for their forbearance?

Wow @EssentialHummus, talk about cross post!

Great minds

Given that we're moving in and then immediately bringing home a new (probably noisy) baby, I want them onside!

That's great advice thank you. My husband tends to speak to them most days because they are always pottering in their front gardens etc so I will make sure we keep them updated on the progress. Good advice re: the warnings for dusty/noisy days too. Thank you! Good luck with your work too Essential!

Maybe pay for windows/car cleaned afterwards, ro get rid of any building dust?

Our next door neighbours are having a large extension build at the rear of their house. We are now in week 4 of a 10 week project. Our neighbours have kept us informed at all stages, showed us the plans before they submitted them to the Council. have asked us about plants we want to keep (fence panel taken up - much like your scenario, OP) and have generally kept us up-to-date. Their builders have (usually) asked us before accessing our drive and they keep to 8-5 Monday to Friday.

Yes, it's noisy, yes, it's dusty, but I think they've done what they can to make it acceptable and I like the fact that a young family is investing in their property and that they see our road as a long-term place. Oh, and they brought us some very nice fizzy before the work started as a thank you for our support :)

built

= Keep to the agreed hours.
= Considerate site behavior - no shouting / swearing / radio / pissing in the garden (see a thread on MN the other week)
= Considerate parking
= Make double dog sure the fence etc and garden are back to how they were before the fence came down.

Can you get the builders to put up some kind of temporary barrier to provide a bit of privacy for the neighbors?

Perhaps tell the builders that when it's hot and they strip off their tops, builder's crack and flabby flesh is not a good look...

Thanks again more good advice! Urgh can't believe that about using the garden as a toilet!!! We looked at temp fencing but they both said they were happy without it

Every builder I've dealt with LOVES having the radio on.
Check that this isn't annoying your neighbours and if so, tell builders to turn it down /off.

Parking is the main problem. If necessary, park your car elsewhere so that builders can use your usual space

I paid a window cleaner to clean windows of the neighbours after builders had created a lot of dust -- the best £35 I ever spent. It created a lot of good will.

I also had to take down a fence panel to access the side of my house. This was attached to the neighbour's fence panel. I got the builder to replace the neighbour's fence panel (after I spoke to them, obv). This also generated a great deal of good will.

I'll be getting the front communal areas tidied up when the man comes to do the garden. This should be good for everyone.

It helps if your builders are nice to your neighbours and offer to move vehicles etc.

Don't let them do heavy duty noisy drilling at 7.30am on a Sunday 😬😬😬😬

Recent miserable experience :)

I second window cleaning, and flowers and/or wine at the end. Keep communication open. Whilst it is ongoing, knock the door and ask if everything is ok and hopefully not too noisy? Don;t wait for resentment to build and for them to approach you asking if you "have a minute." Give them an update on timings especially if they slip. Oh and be sure to invite them in for a nose around when it is finished. They will be DYING to see it!

Also, I gave one neighbour my mobile number and we text each other occasionally. The other neighbour wouldn't take my number, but the fence and windows thing really helped smooth things over there.

We just finished a major renovation that went significantly over schedule (we moved out). What we did was:

1. we warned our builder that our neighbours were our top priority
2. Stopped by regularly to check on things
3. Gave presents of wine/flowers/chocolates to the ones most affected fairly regularly.
4. Hosted a big thanks to the neighbours evening when we moved back in.

Every builder I've dealt with LOVES having the radio on.

My builder was super considerate, but his bloody idiot 'mate' was such a pain with having the radio on at FULL VOLUME WHEN IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE WHILST DOING QUIET JOBS LIKE PAINTING and I am shouting because it was that loud.

I think just deal with any issues that they come to you with and maybe a thank you present at the end. If you are trying to be too considerate, depending on their personalities, they may end up being more demanding. They will know its the builders and not you.

Our builders, though very nice generally, continuously parked across one neighbours drive, played the radio loud despite another neighbour coming across several times to ask them to turn it down as he works at home. However, they also had to put up with him sneakily asking them to show him around our conversion (he is an architect), tattling to us when they played football in the back garden, quizzing the plumber about his compliance with asbestos removal (already explained and discussed with me, perfectly satisfactorily) . The neighbours mainly never complained to us, they just spoke to the builders.

At the end of the day the builders will want to get on with it, park close and play the radio, and they will not be that bothered about your social relationships. You can specify things to your builders of course, but how much can you really control them once mid project? You do need to keep a good relationship with the builders as well after all. However things like don't ever park in front of that drive, can you keep the radio inside the building, can you move your van promptly when asked all sensible to agree upfront. Just my opinion. I did want to buy a present for the guy up the street for his amazing tolerance.

Being blocked in was also a big annoyance. Was late for school drop off and pick up several times after having to hunt for the tradesman who had parked his van right across my drive.

Also bits of building debris (packaging, insulation etc) was always blowing into our garden and that was really irritating (whole street was about messy) so make sure they work tidily.