Being communicative, considerate and responsive can help keep the peace in the neighborhood
It’s worth taking a few extra steps to stay in the good graces of the folks who share fence lines, street parking, smiles and waves from the front porch, and possibly even corn on the cob with you at summer block parties. Consider this guide your blueprint for framing those necessary neighborly conversations so that you can get the remodel you want without stepping on too many toes.
Certain projects (like tear downs and additions) may require that you notify neighbors in advance. Your remodeling pro ought to be able to fill you in on the details if that’s the case. Even if it’s not legally necessary, it’s still a good practice to keep neighbors informed if you want to maintain positive relationships in the long term. When you’re getting ready to approach your neighbors with news of your upcoming remodel, the more knowledgeable and prepared you are, the more comfortable they will feel with the project.
- When will construction start?
- How long do you expect construction to last?
- What types of equipment will be used on the site?
- Will there be extra vehicles, port-a-potties or road closures to consider?
- Are your plans in keeping with the character of the neighborhood?
When you let your neighbors know about your remodeling plans, be prepared for a range of reactions. Some folks might be excited and curious (“We’re thinking of remodeling too! Who are you using?”), while others may be indifferent or even hostile. All these reactions are OK. Just focus on listening attentively and with empathy: Often that’s all it takes to bring the temperature back down. Along with your in-person chat, give your neighbors something in writing that includes the key details discussed and contact information they can use to get in touch with you during the day.
- When the work will begin, how long it is expected to last and what equipment will be used
- Whether they will need to move their cars at certain times or if the street will be blocked off at any point
- The work schedule you’ve negotiated with your pros — for example, no work before 8 or 9 a.m. or after 4 or 5 p.m.
- Assurance that your remodel is legal and will be done with the necessary permits
Bring your design plans to help them visualize what the end result will look like.
End by asking about and showing respect for their time. If they work from home, have young children who take daytime naps or have other schedule-related concerns, listen and let them know you will do what you can to accommodate them.
Unless it’s a very short project (a week or less), chances are you’ll need to update your close neighbors several times during the remodeling process when things are happening that will affect them. During the first visit with your neighbors, ask how they would like to be kept in the loop — some may prefer you simply drop by, while others may want to be emailed, texted or called.
- You’ve learned that the crew will need to close your street on a certain day.
- A large delivery is expected that may affect street parking.
- Your project timeline has encountered a significant snafu.
- A particularly loud or disruptive part of work is scheduled.
- You’re almost done! Share the good news and expected end date.
The unfortunate truth is that you probably won’t be able to solve all the problems your neighbors come to you with during construction. But listening with empathy (and doling out a judicious gift or two) can go a long way toward keeping neighborly relationships healthy. So listen with care, ask clarifying questions if you’re not sure what they want and then do your best to accommodate their requests. Bring your neighbors’ concerns to the attention of your pros, and find out what (if any) steps can be taken to help. For example, if a neighbor complains about smells or fumes, check to make sure proper care is being taken to ventilate the work site.
Tension-easing gift ideas (use as needed):
- Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
- Prepaid time at a local coworking space for a neighbor who works from home
- A few passes to a local doggy day care for a neighbor with a sensitive or elderly pet
- White noise machine for a family with a baby or young child
- Gift certificate for a massage, dinner out or movie passes
The complaints you’re most likely to hear from neighbors during a remodel usually concern noise and parking. And while there is as yet no way to conduct a silent remodel, or to cram the bulky construction vehicles and dumpsters into a space-bending suitcase like Newt Scamander’s in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, here are a few things you can do:
- Don’t let construction equipment or dumpsters block neighbors’ driveways.
- Let workers know where they can park — and where not to park.
- Park your own vehicle off-street or around the corner, freeing up more street parking for neighbors.
- Find a spot for the port-a-potty as far from neighbors’ property as possible.
- Ask the crew to clean up on a regular basis and to check for any project debris that might have landed in a neighbor’s yard.
- Ask that the crew not start work before 8 a.m. or continue past 5 p.m. unless absolutely necessary, and request a later start time for any weekend work.
When the work is (finally) done, there are still a few things to check off your list. Most important, be sure that your workers have thoroughly cleaned up the site — including using a magnetic sweeper in driveways and paths to pick up stray nails that might otherwise puncture tires. Once everything is spic and span, it’s time to visit your neighbors with the good news that the work is done.
Thank each neighbor in person for his or her patience during your remodel. And while gifts are not necessary, bringing along a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, freshly baked cookies from a local bakery or a gift card for a meal out or a window-cleaning service is a thoughtful gesture — especially for close neighbors who have been directly affected by the construction.
Hosting an open house and inviting the neighbors can be a gracious way to mark your project as complete and give curious folks a chance to see the results of all that construction dust. Hold the celebration in the space you had remodeled if feasible — a backyard party if you had landscaping done makes sense, for instance. If the space remodeled was a more private one (say, the master bath), consider freshening it up with a vase of flowers and inviting people to tour it. If you were happy with the work of your home design pros, consider having their contact information on hand: Curious neighbors are bound to ask!
