How to Take Care of Your Neighbors During a Remodeling Project

When planning a home improvement, you already have a lot on your plate, like budgeting, consultation, and execution. With so many things going on, you have very little time to think about other considerations. In this guide, we’ll show you how to take care of your neighbors during a remodeling project. Let’s get started!

 

How to Take Care of Your Neighbors During a Remodeling Project: Expert Tips on Caring for Your Community

 

A home improvement can create a lot of disturbance, adversely impacting the lives of others around your property.

 

Taking care of the folks with whom you share your fence lines, street parking, and other community facilities during a remodeling project shows how considerate and responsible you are. It is also an opportunity to bond with the people who live around you and create new friendships.

 

Here are a couple of tips on how to take care of your neighbors during a remodeling project:

 

Do Your Research

 

Some projects may legally require you to inform the homeowners in your community in advance. An experienced contractor can guide you on the legal requirements so that you can notify your neighbors and be prepared to answer any concerns they may have.

 

The following are a few questions that you should prepare for:

 

• When will the construction start?
• Will there be construction vehicles and other equipment in the neighborhood?
• How long will the remodeling project last?

 

Be Considerate

 

After informing your neighbors about your remodeling project, you should be ready to face all sorts of reactions. Some might show excitement, while others may display resentment or even hostility.

 

It’s important to be considerate to your neighbors and understand that this home improvement is going to affect their lives. Take the time to walk them through the details of the project and what they can expect in the next couple of days.

 

You should also listen to their concerns. Often, lending an ear and listening with empathy can bring calm to a situation and help address any worries or frustrations they may have.

 

Here are a couple of things that you should include in your written notification:

 

• The date the project will begin, when it’ll end, and the type of equipment that the contractor will be using
• Details about any street blockage or if the neighbors need to move their cars during certain times of the day
• The routine of the contractors on your property and their work schedule
• Assurance that you’ve completed all legal requirements and obtained the necessary permits for the project

 

Keep Your Neighbors Updated

 

When things are happening during your remodeling project that can potentially affect your neighbors, it’s important to keep them updated.

 

During your initial confrontation with the different households in your community, make sure to ask them how they want to stay informed. Do your neighbors prefer text messages, or are they more inclined to check their emails?

 

If you’re unsure when to keep your neighbors in the loop, here are a few scenarios:

 

• The arrival of large trucks blocking the entire street
• Unforeseen issues during remodeling causing slight delays in your project’s timeline
• Heavy drilling and construction work resulting in significant noise disruption

 

Resolve Potential Issues

 

Whenever your neighbor comes to you, make sure you listen to them and address their concerns immediately. You won’t be able to solve all the issues that arise, but by listening with empathy, you can maintain a healthy neighborly relationship.

 

If you’re not sure what your neighbor wants, ask questions to understand their concerns. Then, if the problems are genuine, you should make efforts to address them.

 

You can always give your neighbors gifts to ease any tensions that may arise during the course of your remodeling project. Some ideas include the following:

 

• Noise-cancelling earphones
• Massage or movie passes
• Prepaid lunches or dinners
• Gift vouchers

 

Reduce Street and Noise Disruptions

 

Street parking issues and noise complaints are the two most common types of problems your neighbors will be coming to you to address during the remodeling project’s timeline.

 

Here are a few tips to make this period bearable for the rest of the members of the community:

 

• Let the workers know where they can and cannot park.
• Park your car elsewhere to make room for the construction vehicles.
• Place the port-a-potty somewhere far away from your neighbors’ properties.
• Request the contractor to clean up regularly to ensure that the community doesn’t look like it’s in shambles.
• Ask the workers to stick to a particular time schedule to ensure minimal disruptions when the neighbors are at home.

 

Final Thoughts on Taking Care of Your Neighbors During a Remodeling Project

 

While there are a few tips that you can follow to ensure minimal disruptions for your neighbors, the contractor you work with plays a crucial role in maintaining a positive environment in the neighborhood.

 

At Paragon Builders, we like to do things differently. Our team has over 11 years of experience remodeling homes across San Diego while ensuring happy neighborhoods.

 

Call us at +1 (858) 336-8336 to discuss your project and how we can complete it on time without disturbing your neighbors!

 

Frequently Asked Questions