Noise and building work

CakeCrusader

Is there anything that I can do about this? I work from home, I'm also a student so I spend time working/sleeping/studying. My plan was to study during the daytime when I'm not in lectures, work a few evenings a week and at the weekend so I can eat. My teen works nights so sleeps during the day.



About 4 years ago (way before the course) some bright spark decided to sell some land at the back of my house and plans were approved for a supermarket and houses. Nothing happened for years. I started a postgraduate course in September, but 2 weeks later they decided to finally start building the supermarket and the houses, starting at 0800 Mon-Fri. I work weekends and evenings, so it's really not working out well. My house has single glaze sash windows so the noise isn't good and it will get worse as they are just clearing the land, Uni is 45 mins away and pretty noisy so I can't always study/revise there. I can only work from home, I can't concentrate on my studies and my teen can't sleep. Is there anything I can do? My course is costing me thousands and I really can't afford to fail it.

missile

You could fit better windows?
You could go to the Uni or local library to study? Although that would not help your teenager.
You could buy two pairs of noise cancelling ear phones?

bris

No, they are working at normal working hours they are doing nothing wrong.


Get ear plugs, there is no one going to help you make them stop work.

comeandgo

There will be working restrictions in the planning permission but it does not sound as though they are doing anything wrong. I agree with the headsets. Can your teen sleep in the room with the least noise disturbance? That's what my night working daughter did when her neighbors were rebuilding their house.

SandraX

Earplugs or get one of those noise reduction headsets that cuts out background noise hubby has one I will ask him and if you've not worked it out which one, pm me and I will send a link once I've spoken with hubby
ATB

CakeCrusader

I'm looking for noise cancelling headphones, they seem expensive though I've tried ear plugs, it's not really practical as I need to head the phone. There's only 2 bedrooms and the noise can be heard in both, it also makes the house vibrate. I can't change the windows (££££). Local library's a good idea, I'll give that a try!

knightstyle

If it is that bad go to your local library to study.

CakeCrusader

knightstyle wrote: »

If it is that bad go to your local library to study.

Will do. I'm not sure how the teen will sleep though, I'll buy more ear plugs or something.

z1a

CakeCrusader wrote: »

Will do. I'm not sure how the teen will sleep though, I'll buy more ear plugs or something.

Is he/she nocturnal?

London50

From first post

My teen works nights so sleeps during the day.

elsien

Nothing you can do if the noise is within permitted hours, but if they deviate from that, give them hell. I turned into a ranting maniac when the builders of the supermarket at the end of the road decided 1 am was the ideal time to do a spot of tarmacking, complete with lights and loud reversing sirens. Did the trick though, they stopped.
ETA - we were also given the name and contact details for the person overdoing the work. Who also got a 1am phone call. It may be worth tracking them down - it won't affect what they're doing but they may be able to tell you when the quieter times are likely to be, and how long the bad noise may go on for. Sometimes just knowing what's happening makes it easier to bear.
Alternatively, any family or friends you couid decamp to to work or for your son to get some kip once in a while?