Neighbors + Renovations = Yikes

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Are they nice OP, or do they think they own the neighborhood? A lot depends on their attitude. If they are smart, they won't complain unless it really, truly matters.

[Anonymous]

OP, I telework 2x a week and the house next door to me is being gutted and renovated. I don't mind the noise at all because the end result is going to be a nice home.

[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.

NP. I like this a lot!

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Direct noise complaints and issue to the renovation company. Act like you have no control and they won't think you are the bad one. The renovation company will leave where as you won't so deflect it on them.

[Anonymous]

I told my neighbors that we were going to renovate. The beginning was pretty noisy, but then after the framing and demo it wasn't bad at all. My daughter even napped through lots of the noise when we were still in the house.. so it couldn't have been that bad.

[Anonymous]

I would mention it to them if I saw them outside but I wouldn't make a big deal about talking to them. I don't see how telling them about the schedule helps them with noise?

[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.

We've lived in our CC Md house for over 40 years, so we've seen lots of renovations, including our own.

Looking back, the ones that caused the least disruption were those in which the owners explained the scope of work, scheduling, etc. to the neighbors and also provided phone #'s for the general contractor and temporarily absent homeowner in case of specific complaints.

A party and special thanks when the work is done will cement good neighbor relations.

I've also seen situations in which homeowners, particularly new ones, forged ahead without so much as introducing themselves to the neighbors. These people typically never became part of the network of neighbors, but arguably never wanted that.

[Anonymous]

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

Its not worth the gamble that you might have a crazy next door, who may be opposed to anything not happening on his own lot. Avoid.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

OP, you sound like a great neighbor. I would love to have you move in next to me. Both DH and I work from home. We have had disastrous (inexperienced) vendors doing non-stop work for neighbors. It took one neighbor 18 months to build a house (stripped out our trees in meantime in order to provide access to a sewer line - when it was discovered they weren't
"within code" the work stopped for at least seven months while the County made threats. Second neighbor chose least experienced newly licensed carpenter to put on a single room in the back. We lived with nonstop trash, noise, banging, litter from huge dumpster, rats, dirt for an entire year. Please be considerate of your neighbors and tell them in advance of what is going to happen. And don't let your contractors work on big holiday days like Thanksgiving or Easter or big Jewish holidays.

[Anonymous]

My house was the first house built in a new construction neighborhood. Eventually you get used to the noise. It's been 2 years for us and construction is still going on and the only thing that gets my goat is when my driveway is blocked by trucks. Just make sure your contractors are respectful of your neighbors' property and you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

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.