Living next to a building site

LADYXXMACBETH

I think the having a house warming is a good idea. Then they can have a nosey round yours, see how nice it is and then get their own back by having the same works done to their house. If you don't want them round then a nice gift never goes amiss. Personally I like flowers.

Dan-Dan

Is this the same neighbour who`s property moneys builder damaged....no wonder they need keeping sweet!

























only kidding money old girl

Prothet_of_Doom

When our neighbours moved in there was much banging.

Newly Weds you see.

phoebe1989seb

Lol at Dan :rotfl:

Like other posters have said, we have always let our neighbours know of our intentions regarding building works, but as ours tend to drag on for years (big projects, less big budgets ha ha!) we hope that like us they have some forbearance as similar to money we soon become well acquainted with dust and discomfort

We often seem to buy houses with no neighbours though - or else businesses next door - having owned houses next to a nursery and at least two where the neighbouring properties have been unoccupied, so less of an issue I guess......

Otoh, when we lived in our big family house in Hampshire we (as usual) bought the most rundown house in the street and were merrily plugging away at our own pace (ten years that one took ) when along came Mr Construction Company Owner (also believed to be a drug dealer/gangster, borne out by a very large police raid on the house) who proceeded to buy the block of low-rise flats next door and convert to family home (for himself) complete with indoor pool. He rode totally roughshod over us, amongst other things demolishing our garden wall which he temporarily replaced with those large steel barriers you see on building sites whilst the extension to house his pool was built.

One night in a storm the temporary *fence* came down, leaving our garden exposed - his was the corner property - and poor old DH got a rusty nail in the hand attempting to re-erect it in the pouring rain We also had to put up with his builders' dogs getting into our (newly landscaped) garden and running riot. It was no use complaining as his reputation preceded him and everyone was terrified of the repercussions.....including us

We certainly never received so much as an apology, let alone a gift or invite to a house-warming party

DigForVictory

A bit of strategic cosseting of a neighbour is almost always a worthwhile investment.
If you don't know their taste in food, drink, allergies to flowers etc, then taking the out for a meal puts most of that in the pub/restaurant's hands...
As for flowers, you can always go home via a florist/garden centre.

In the short term, keeping them advised as to when the builders will Not Be Coming over Christmas & clearing up as much external mess as you go as you can is always appreciated.
If they do cheep, try to get it sorted or start on sorting it that half hour - as it takes a lot to get to that point & so the sooner you can damp down the emotions back to reasonable the easier the job!

Errata

Give your neighbour a bunch of supermarket flowers every week, and an update on how things are progressing. People are less stressed if they can see the light at the end of the tunnel approaching.

lessonlearned

Some great points here, especially like the one about "cosseting" neighbours - something I've always done......and something they've always done in return.

Great neighbours are worth their weight in gold, a bad neighbour can make your life hell on earth. Best to try and get off to a good start.

If you show a little consideration ie no loud banging etc in the evenings, avoiding noisy dirty work at weekends, ensuring that your tradesmen park with care, no blocking driveways and access, then that should help avoid upsets.

If ever I think that removal men, on site deliveries etc might block access routes I always advise everyone in advance.

Keeping them informed of timescales is also good practice, as is ensuring that your tradesmen are aware if there any young children or animals likely to be around. On site safety is paramount as is the safety of your neighbours.