Neighbors + Renovations = Yikes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work at home and sort of assume that when people move in they are likely to renovate. As long as the project is finite I can cope. It's the mystery abandoned house renovation (dumpster outside, occasional workman, months of nothing) that concern me.

That was our house for 4 months. We were ready to get a move on, but the county took 4 months to give us our permits. We did what we could, but then there was nothing to do until the permits were in our hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't discuss it with them. If you do, you'll be on a slippery slope you'll regret.

This. There are distractions everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Meet with each neighbor individually and explain the scope of renovations and likely timetable. The outside work will be the most annoying, but if the neighbors are working inside it won't be that bothersome. Obviously, when the work moves inside at your renovation project, it will be less bothersome as well. Guide their expectations and they will be less annoyed.

Unfortunately, if the neighbors are annoyed by your renovations, they can complain to you or the local jurisdictions. If you are upfront, you can smile and say, I am sorry, we thought that by giving your our schedule this would help you through the process.

If they complain to the jurisdiction, you can let them know how you tried to ameliorate the situation.

2. Keep the builder's vehicles as removed from the houses as possible. Also make sure that construction debris that blows into their yards is cleaned up quickly. Look for nails and other sharp objects related to the construction that might be caught in their tires or hit their cars. Advise the builders that the neighbors work at home so that they will know to be careful about noise and other issues occurring during the day.

3. I invited the neighbors for a tour of the work after it was finished. I gave each of them a gift certificate to have their windows washed after the grime from our construction. The certificate was tucked into a small gift basked with wine, cookies, cheese, crackers along with a handwritten thank you note.

This was 3 years ago, and other neighbors have followed suit having heard the original two neighbors rave about how "lovely" we were.

It cost about $400 for good will with neighbors.

I work from home 100% of the time, and this is very thoughtful. You honestly wouldn't even need to get me a thank-you gift or gc for windows, just sharing the timeline and setting my expectations would be enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

[Anonymous]

If you want to avoid the " slippery slope" of talking to neighbors, would a short written note be better, so you avoid the face to face conversation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

True dat. I'm a WAHM and working from a coffee shop or shared office space would not really work. I'm in conference calls for about 3 hours every morning, and occasionally lead training sessions in the afternoon. I have a dedicated line in my home provided by my company because of the heavy data load I have. All that said - I have windows and can close them and unless they're jack hammering out front (which *has* happened LOL), I'm good.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the neighbor. Some are perfectly reasonable and know that construction is something that happens routinely. Some are unreasonable and object to any any change in the neighborhood.

I'd also wait until you have the permits in hand before you talk to them about timelines.

[Anonymous]

Construction and renovations happen. That's life. Your neighbors don't get a vote nor do they have control.

[Anonymous]

I WAH. I live close-in. For 5 years, there has always been a neighbor--front, back, side, across the street doing a major renovation . Two full knockdowns too.

Day work doesn't bother me. The 7am pounding that wakes my 8am sleeping kids up that annoys the hell out if me. Trucks also idle and back up beginning at 6:30 to be ready for the 7 an start time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

If her experience is not germane, neither is yours. You have one way of working. She has another. Working in isolation may have affected your tolerance

[Anonymous]

We recently finished building an addition. The noise wasn't really an issue for us or for our neighbors and we live in a DC row house. I know this because my husband works from home (and continued to do so during our construction) and I do occasionally. Not to say that it wasn't hugely disruptive, but in ways that wouldn't impact the neighbors (dust and dirt in the house, utilities switched off) most of the time. Of course there was noise but it wasn't all the time.

The only issue we really had was with the contractors parking in the alley when they'd been told (repeatedly) not to. Still, no-one complained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

If her experience is not germane, neither is yours. You have one way of working. She has another. Working in isolation may have affected your tolerance

Boom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

If her experience is not germane, neither is yours. You have one way of working. She has another. Working in isolation may have affected your tolerance

Boom!

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I WAH. I live close-in. For 5 years, there has always been a neighbor--front, back, side, across the street doing a major renovation . Two full knockdowns too.

Day work doesn't bother me. The 7am pounding that wakes my 8am sleeping kids up that annoys the hell out if me. Trucks also idle and back up beginning at 6:30 to be ready for the 7 an start time.

What is your secret to get your kids to sleep in past 8, please do tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought a house recently and are planning some significant renovations. We also learned that both next-door neighbors on either side of the house work out of their homes. I feel terrible about the potential for our renovations to make it difficult for them to concentrate and work, as I am sure there will be lots of noise, banging, drilling, etc. That said, I do not want the neighbors to think they can dictate the path of our renovations. I'd basically like to minimize any inconvenience for neighbors while maintaining autonomy over our house, builders, and renovations.

If you have advice about (a) how to discuss the renovations with them without giving them any authority over them, (b) how to manage potential conflicts between our builders and neighbors, and (c) possible things we can do for the neighbors to make the process less intrusive, we would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

They'll manage just fine. We moved in, had a bsby, and then day 5 of my mat leave the neighbor got started on a teardown. Honestly, it wasn't that loud. A few spikes of loudness heard and there, but otherwise just popping things up.

Work from homers have tons of nice, low cost shared office space options in the area. Or coffee shops.

Renovations happen all the time. Even to the nearby schools and no ones throwing too big a fit.

Sorry, hon, not everyone can just work from a coffeeshop. Some of us need to work from complicated technical setups for our IT jobs (so shared office space is out, too).

And being on maternity leave, where basically all you do is nurse and sleep with baby is NOTHING like having to be productive and work from home (and do conference calls, video meetings, etc), which could be disrupted from construction. I know from experience as I'm a WAHM and I've been on maternity leave twice. YOU might have the option of getting out of the house if it's too loud, but teleworkers don't always. Your experience is not germane to this thread.

Great. Then go to your office. If you don't have an office, stop being so cheap and rent office space for your work.
I am guessing that you live in a neighborhood zoned residential, and while you can surely work inside your house, life goes on with residences. Lawn movers run. Kids bounce basketballs outside. Games of tag.