
Everyone has them at some point… a neighbour who you just don’t get along with. They can make your home renovation plans difficult, to the point of even putting a stop to them sometimes. Renovations made to the exterior of your home (such as stucco/EIFS renovations) are particularly difficult because of the exterior-nature of the project, and the fact that it frequently borders (very closely in downtown Toronto) with your neighbour’s property. Here are 4 simple tips to dealing with a neighbour who might cause trouble.
1. Warn your stucco contractor
All contractors have been on projects with an irrate neighbour. Make sure you warn the foreman before the job so that the workers can be on their best behaviour.
2. Give the neighbour plenty of notice
Don’t surprise your neighbour with a crew of skilled trade workers one day. Let them know that you’re planning on updating your home (which will increase the overall value of the neighbourhood) and that it may take a couple weeks (depending on the size of your home).
EIFS renovations don’t typically involve too much noise from machinery, but some of the finishing processes (leveling the basecoat, floating the finish coat) can create scraping sounds. Try to figure out what times the neighbour is not home, and ask the contractor to do those pieces of work during the times they’re not around. Some crews of workers like to talk more than others and are generally more verbal, so speak with the foreman or owner about keeping noise levels to a minimum if your neighbour is troublesome.
What’s your neighbour’s favourite wine? Get him a bottle as a token of cooperation and good will.
3. Ensure your contractors will clean up their messes
Probably the biggest source of frustration from neighbours is the resultant bits of insulation that come flying off the wall and all over EVERYTHING during the sanding of the insulation boards. This can be managed by ensuring the contractor uses a portable vacuum to clean up all the bits.
The bits of styrofoam might even be something you want to forewarn about, and promise to have the contractor clean up his property if any does get on it. This is one of the few times I don’t advocate the “It’s easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission” motto.
4. Make sure the contractors follow building codes
We actually had one of our own contractors not properly set up their scaffolding (tisk tisk, I know), and the neighbour called the city about it. A few adjustments and 3 hours later and the scaffolding was back in compliance with city requirements. Was there actually any danger? No. But the neighbour wanted to cause trouble, and they found a way to. This causes a delay on your project, irritates the contractors who have wasted almost half their day, and raises tensions between you and your neighbour. Play it safe – ask your contractor to make
Have a story of an irrate neighbour you had to deal with during a home renovation? Feel free to share it here!




