Neighbors + Renovations = Yikes

[Anonymous]

I AM the crazy next door - who is on the ASD spectrum. Try to leave as much as possibe to avoice noise hurts my ears. Dogs are going nuts- workers staring at me - and - then asking me to pick up a tool they dropped - on the property and too lazy to come get themselves. Just so he can get a closer look.
+ And I work from home. Had no choice to today - bc - I fell and inured myself - and will be in bed. For the next few days. They've overstayed thier welcome - houseflipping co - so I put the radio outside to drown out hte nouse - and blasted it in their direction.

Much better now!

[Anonymous]

If there will be a port a potty outside during construction keep it far from their houses and ensure it is emptied frequently.

[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.

This is a great plan of action. Just a little bit of consideration and show of goodwill can win you years of happy neighbors.

[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.

very nice.