Communicating with neighbours before starting building your home

It’s good practice to inform your neighbours of what construction work will be taking place on your property, when it will start, the expected duration and how the building work will impact them. This can be done in a letter drop, or by visiting them. Try and allay any concerns they may have about the building and renovation work. Be honest – don’t tell them there won’t be noise when there always is with construction. It’s useful to provide them with your contact details so they can talk to you if they have any concerns during the construction process.

Always notify neighbours ahead of time when access to their homes may be disrupted. Neighbours forewarned are often more understanding.
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Always try and resolve conflicts involving the construction work with your neighbours as soon as possible. Never let problems escalate where people could start digging their heals in because they feel their concerns and grievances aren’t being heard. Unfortunately minor annoyances can turn into major problems.

Ensure your contractors respect your neighbours

​Make sure that your contractors consider your neighbours. This includes that:

• They only work within normal hours as permitted by the local authorities.
• They don’t make unnecessary noise, especially when people could still be in bed.
• Their workers don’t swear or shout.
• They don’t damage neighbour’s property.
• They are considerate where they park, which includes not blocking neighbour’s driveways and garage entrances, not parking on the neighbour’s sidewalk and not blocking roadways.
• They don’t litter in the street.
• They keep the construction site tidy, regularly removing rubbish.
• They take steps to reduce dust from the work.
• They provide notice ahead of when roads may be blocked by delivery vehicles or cranes.

This could be discussed at Kick-off meeting with your building contractors
which we discussed in our previous article.

Damage to a neighbour's house

Upset neighbours will make your home renovation project difficult

You will probably have to live next to your neighbours long after your home renovation project, or your new home is, is completed. Don't let your building works irritate your neighbour, or damage your relationship.

A little extra care by your building contractors will ensure that problems are kept to a minimum. Good communication between you and your neighbours, and your contractors and your neighbours can smooth over many of the issues. Most neighbours are understanding - especially when you communicate with them. Always put yourself in their shoes. Understand how you would feel in their place with the building works. Are you being fair to your neighbour?

​You need to manage your building contractors to minimise annoying and inconveniencing your neighbours.

Other Useful Articles:
​Read This Before Selecting Your Home Renovation and Building Contractor.

Builder demolishes new Florida home after building too close to neighbour

​Brand new houses to be torn down because of non-compliance to planning permissions

​This is an extract from the author's book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home'.
​© 2021 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

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Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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