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Original poster

Neighbours and noise during building work

125 replies

lilcreed · 26/08/2019 13:05

Myself and partner bought a house 2 months ago that needs renovation. We both work full time so choose to do the quiet jobs in the evening (out of respect for our neighbours) and do the noisy jobs at the weekend as that is the only option we have.

Our neighbours are an older couple who were really friendly and supportive when we moved in, but have been a bit off with us lately. I keep catching them climbing the fence to look over into our garden and they have been really quiet.

Today we were doing noisy work and our front door was open. The neighbour marched in and said that enough was enough. Where do we stand on this?

We never work past 6pm and weekends are the only time when we can do things. We are a young couple and need to move on quite soon as my partners mum is downsizing. Thanks.

OP posts:
grincheux · 26/08/2019 13:07

I can see why having noisy building work every weekend is getting annoying for them, especially if they're trying to enjoy their garden in this heat. How noisy are we talking?

Celebelly · 26/08/2019 13:10

Unfortunately they just have to suck it up. It's not at unreasonable times and it's obviously a
time-limited thing as you aren't going to be renovating forever. Perhaps ask them what they suggest, given that it's work that needs to be done! I understand it might be a bit annoying for them but that's just kind of how living in a society works.

If they'd been gracious about it I would say maybe get them a gift at the end of it, like
a voucher for a meal out or something. But they haven't so 🤷‍♀️

HappyHammy · 26/08/2019 13:11

Its bank holiday and very hot, maybe they just wanted some peace and quiet, did the front door need to be open. You could look at your council noise site, it gives you information about when you can make reasonable noise. If it's been going on for a while and it's every weekend the may dread the weekends coming up, knowing it's going to be more work. Would it be an option to take a week off work and just get it all done.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 26/08/2019 13:11

Would keeping front door closed help contain the noise?

It sounds like you are being thoughtful and the work needs doing so I think they are going to have to tolerate it-living close to neighbours means sometimes you are inconvenienced.

MaybeDoctor · 26/08/2019 13:17

It’s a Bank Holiday Monday, of course they don’t expect noisy building work to be taking place. Depending on what you were doing, I would would either be apologetic or very apologetic.

My understanding is that most councils allow building work 8.00-5.00 M-F and until noon on a Saturday.

Being a ‘young couple’ doesn’t really come into it, sorry. I have done two major builds and lived through neighbours doing two major builds too!

Have you explained the situation and tried asking them what times would suit them? Perhaps you can take some annual leave and get a bit done if they go away?

HappyHammy · 26/08/2019 13:18

this is just an example of what you can do in local areas
www.southampton.gov.uk/environmental-issues/environmental-health/noise/diy-noise.aspx

nothingsreallynewunderthesun · 26/08/2019 13:18

Living next door to building work is shitty and can really spoil your summer.

However you're entitled to do it as long as you're sticking to the times you say you are.

They can't stop you but they don't have to like it. Maybe be aware that you're making their lives less pleasant and be a bit apologetic, give them a time frame and the odd box of chocolates...

You're in the UK I presume? If the drip feed is that you're abroad then you might actually be braking the law doing noisy DIY on Sundays, depending where you are.

stucknoue · 26/08/2019 13:24

Everyone needs to do a bit of diy but it's pretty unreasonable to do it every weekend. Sunday's especially have noise restrictions and having doors and windows means you are ruining life for everyone else. I don't blame them, one or two weekends ok but every week is horrible

Benes · 26/08/2019 13:36

happy thanks so much for that link! My neighbour started drilling and hammering at 8.15 this morning and I was sure there were rules about noise and times. I'm pleased I was right ....still pissed off it ruined the first lie in I've had in weeks.

Original poster
lilcreed · 26/08/2019 13:37

We wouldn’t be doing it every weekend if we didn’t have 6 weeks to be in by. It’s difficult circumstances. We both work full time. My partner is self employed so him taking holiday to work on the house is out of the question.

OP posts:
YahBasic · 26/08/2019 13:42

What’s the minimum you need to do to make it habitable, as opposed to what you would like to do?

I would speak to them and agree on a schedule ie all day Saturday is fine but nothing noisy on a Sunday.

It isn’t their fault you both work full-time. I’d have probably complained too if my weekends were just constantly filled with noise for two solid months.

MaybeDoctor · 26/08/2019 13:51

But that’s why people employ trades, in order to get it done in a reasonable time. They also have to accept the time restrictions on construction work. That’s what the rest of us have to do! Hmm

It is clearly more than just a bit of DIY (as per the link above) if it is going on for six weeks.

You don’t want to pay the cost of trades, nor for your DP to take time off so your neighbours are effectively ‘paying’ by being inconvenienced and disrupted. The cost has to land somewhere!

I would tread very carefully and consider changing your plans as they would be perfectly entitled to complain to the council.

Original poster
lilcreed · 26/08/2019 13:54

We don’t have the money to employ trades- especially when we have the skill set to do it ourselves.

OP posts:
YahBasic · 26/08/2019 13:57

Well you just carry on doing what you’re doing then Hmm

You are now aware of the noise restrictions, and that you can be fined and prosecuted for not abiding by them.

It’s up to you what you choose to do.

Gustavo1 · 26/08/2019 13:59

This is tricky. It isnt nice to be the ones listening to noise but on the other hand, you have a right to worK on your property.
I would check your local council guidelines for noise. So long as you aren’t breaking them, you must just carry on and get it finished. Do be polite, apologise and explain what you’re doing and what you have left to do. The neighbours will just have to put up with it but the nicer you are about it, the better it will be for future relations.

BlockedAndDeleted · 26/08/2019 14:01

This would really upset me tbh.

You can’t even let them have one day off in two months without you ruining their quiet enjoyment of their home

Neither you nor your partner could budget two weeks off work to minimise disruption?

But you clearly don’t give a shit about anyone but yourselves and are going to carry on regardless anyway so why post at all?

BookwormMe2 · 26/08/2019 14:01

Most councils have guidelines saying noisy building work on Saturdays should be restricted between 8am and 1pm, so if you're working until 6pm that might be why your neighbours are getting annoyed, especially as you've been doing this work all summer so far. For the sake of neighbourly relations, I'd go round with a bottle of wine to apologise, then I'd be honest about what else needs doing and how long it's going to take. They might not be happy still, but at least you've tried. Oh, and agree to keep the noisiest work limited to within the council guidelines.

Apolloanddaphne · 26/08/2019 14:02

Go and speak to your neighbours. Take a box of chocolates/ bottle of wine for them. Tell them what you still need to do and how long it is going to take. Offer to cook them dinner or take them out once it is all complete. It is possible they may be reasonable and accept it will be finished soon.

BookwormMe2 · 26/08/2019 14:02

Oh, hang on, I've just remembered it's Bank Holiday Monday! Most councils prohibit ANY noisy building work on a BH. So you should definitely stop and give your neighbour some peace.

misspiggy19 · 26/08/2019 14:05

YANBU- you have been more than reasonable not working past 6pm. I wouldn’t hire trade people either if I could do the work myself even if it takes longer.

BookwormMe2 · 26/08/2019 14:05

Councils also ban work on Sundays, so if you've been doing all day Saturday and Sunday every weekend for six weeks or more, YABVVVVU.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 26/08/2019 14:06

So your neighbours have another 6 weeks of weekend noise?

Oblomov19 · 26/08/2019 14:06

This would really hack me off. I'd rather my neighbours got a builder in M-F for a month.

HappyHammy · 26/08/2019 14:07

I hindsight I would have gone round yesterday and said you were planning to do a couple of hours today, is that ok with them, then at least they could have had a choice to go out. Working on a bh is not very considerate especially if the work has been going on for some time and is every weekend. Could your dh work at his own business on weekends and do the house up during the week if hes not able to take time off. If you have the skills to renovate then could you not take a week off if you're in paid employment.

Nonnymum · 26/08/2019 14:12

I am afraid noisy building work every weekend including Bank Holiday weekend is a bit much. How long has it been going on for?

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