What is it like to live next to a tear down/rebuild?
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Anonymous
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Looks like the house next to us finally went under contract and we suspect it'll be a builder tearing it down and rebuilding it.
Our big concern is what they'll do to the tiered lot, and whether that will create drainage issues/concerns. If you've lived next to a construction site, do you have any tips for us for staying on top of the permitting process, protecting our own property/asserting our rights if need be? Can we enforce any laws regarding when workers can be hammering, etc? We're not looking to disrupt the construction or anything. Just to protect our own property. The drainage issue is particularly concerning since we're down hill slightly from this property. |
Anonymous
Honestly drainage issues will be better for your home because all new homes must have drainage plans and drain fields that slope away from the house and neighboring properties. These drainage plans must be planned, approved and inspected by the county. The worst offender in my area is not the new build but the older homes that have the original owners pointing their gutters into other people's backyards. The best way to stay on top of issues is to get the builder's number and contact them if workers are causing you issues or noise problems. You can also review the permits online . |
Anonymous
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I understand the OP's concern, though. Even with a drainage plan, things can still change in unexpected ways for the surrounding properties. (I have friends who have been on both sides of the issue, as the new build and the house next door.)
Good luck, OP. I may have the same issue soon - the house next door to us is likely a tear-down. |
Anonymous
| Drainage after construction will almost certainly be better. During construction, the contractor is required to provide adequate protection to neighboring properties. In MoCo, the building inspectors will come by same-day to inspect any drainage complaints and the fines are substantial, so builders are incentivized to maintain the appropriate fencing and barriers. |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't be so sure about the drainage issues -- it depends on where you live. Most of the soil in Montgomery County is full of clay. When the developers dig out the foundation for a new home, they pack down that soil when the job is finished and plop sod down on it. The clay does not absorb the water as well as the dirt/soil and can cause havoc if you are downhill. Also, the sod never really takes hold. So, speaking from experience as the builder of a new home whose drainage did negatively impact my neighbors, I would try to approach the builder (or the buyers if this isn't a spec house). We had to pay a landscaper to dig up our yard, add better soil and resod. We created a rain garden to capture water overflow and other things to help our neighbors. However, another house was built above us and they did not do anything. The law didn't require them to do anything, we were not required to do anything either. We just felt that correcting the problem was the right thing to do. After all, we removed most of the vegetation from the year, and really did change the drainage patterns that had previously existed.
Other than that, what it is like living next to a new build depends greatly on the builder. Most of the noisiest work is done in the first few months. Once the frame is up and the roof is on, most of the work takes place inside and isn't nearly as noisy. Expect your street parking to be taken up by construction vehicles, and buy the warranty on your tires for nail pops. No matter how careful the builder is, your tires will be exposed to nails, screws, etc. Get to know the project foreman or general contractor. I would definitely play nice to begin with. Most reputable builders want to have a good relationship with the community and the neighbors as they hope to buy other lots and do more work in the area. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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Oh for f*ck's sake. Everyone is an expert. Storyteller, that is. MYOB, OP and everything will be fine. Do you want to be known as the neighborhood troublemaker? Really? Do you have panic attacks about everything in your life? Like what to have for dinner? Take some meds and get over yourself. No one cares what you are doing. |
Anonymous
| There is no guarantee that drainage will be better. Our friends had two houses go up next to their house and they've have to spend thousands of dollars to mediate the pool that had become their backyard. |
Anonymous
OP here. I'm curious: What about my post suggested to you that I was having a panic attack? Do you normally react so strongly and angrily to things you read on these forums? Maybe you should take a screen break? Or a referral to a therapist? Simmer down. |
Anonymous
So, what was your experience living next to a rebuild then? |
Anonymous
Please. This poster owns the rebuild that messed up their neighbors' yards. |
Anonymous
| When a new home is built, there are sh*t stirrers who want to criticize, since they can not afford one of their onw. Op is merely looking for trouble. |
Anonymous
| own. |
Anonymous
Meh. The new build will probably achieve parity with my own house. What are you really angry about, pp? |
Anonymous
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Parity with your own house and your half witted add ons? Not even close. Nice try, though.
Believe me, when I drive by a knock down neighborhood with a shiny new house next to the cheesy add ons, it is glaringly obvious which is which. Maybe you have convinced yourself otherwise. I have a problem with those who look for trouble where there is none. Since you asked. |
Anonymous
| Looks like we've found the "tear down" guy. He's a builder, surprise, surprise... |