Advice for coping with next-door construction?

Mom2M
Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:31:51 +0000

OUr neigbors bought the house next door, tore it down to the studs and then took forever to finish it. And did not maintain the swimming pool–so it was a haven for mosquitoes. They really are nice people, just not particularly thoughtful. When they started the next round of reno (because a 4 bedroom house was not enough for a couple with one child), we set ground rules early…very early as the construction supplies were delivered in front of our house about 6:15 am. I waited until 7am (toddler in the house) and called. I explained, nicely, that I was done with construction, they needed to manage this on their property. Construction workers need to park in front of their house, I needed constant access to my driveway/garage, I would not live in a construction zone again. Honestly, it was the best thing I did. I was nice, but firm. Since they didn’t live in the house when it was being rebuilt, they really didn’t have any idea…and they reined in the workers/trash/music/parking etc.

If I had it to do over, I’d go introduce myself the first day, get phone numbers “in case of emergancy” and call the first time there was an issue. I think the more tolerant we were of the situation, the more the construction crew pushed the line.