Do you have plans of doing a large-scale roof replacement or exterior renovation project anytime soon? While it will improve your home by leaps and bounds, it’s important to consider other factors as well. You’ll have to take into account the weather when you’re going to start the project and the materials that you’re going to need as well as looking for a trusted exterior renovation contractor to do the job.
Along with major renovation projects, you’ll also need to consider how your neighborhood is going to react to this. After all, a renovation project of this scale can be disruptive to your neighborhood due to the noise and mess that it can create. They could wake up to the sound of loud thumping and drilling. They could also have a hard time getting out since the service vans could be blocking their driveway, along with the dust and debris causing irritations for them. One couldn’t help but feel angered or stressed about this situation, especially if it’s unexpected. Keep in mind that you need to be considerate of your neighbors’ feelings to avoid conflicts as much as you can.
Today, we share how you can maintain peace and order with your neighbors even during an ongoing major renovation project.
Be Honest and Clear About Your Renovation Project
Before the exterior renovation project commences, you need to fully understand the scale of your project. This helps you avoid any confusion when you’re notifying your neighbors about the renovation. Also, you need to be honest with your neighbors when you’re notifying them. Keep it real, and tell them you’re having a major renovation project done so that they know what they’re expecting once the project gets the green light.
Also, much like residential roofing and home building projects, you’ll need to be aware of zoning laws and adhere to them. Always remember that setbacks, height and building-mass measurements can vary in each zoning district. With that being said, you can’t automatically assume that your neighbor belongs in the same zoning district.
Before commencing the project, make sure that you ask your building inspector which boards, such as the planning, zoning, architectural review or historic preservation sectors, need approval. Also, if a variance is needed, the concerns of your neighbors carry a lot of weight.
Keep Roads Accessible for Your Neighbors
During a residential roofing or exterior renovation project, your contractors need to bring a service vehicle to transport their contractors as well as the tools and equipment they need, such as scaffoldings, ladders and other necessary equipment. Before making arrangements with your exterior remodeling contractor, make sure that you read the local parking ordinance to see the areas where your contractor can safely park.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t block streets and driveways. If your delivery truck can’t unload on the project site, your contractors will have to make do with doing it on the street. Make sure that you notify your contractor on the days you need immediate access to the street, and be as accommodating as possible and wait patiently.
It’s also worth noting that your exterior renovation and roof installation contractor needs permission to go onto your property, especially if you live in a private area like a subdivision. Just remember to keep your neighbor’s convenience and safety in mind so that the project can go smoothly as it can. Additionally, if your contractor requests your permission to use your outdoor electrical outlets, faucets or anything else on your property, make the conditions clear and include them in your contract.
Keep Eyesores to a Minimum
As much as possible, you can communicate with your exterior remodeling contractor to reduce unsightly stuff like equipment scattered around and litter all over the place. But you don’t have to worry about that when you’re working with a reputable remodeling company. The contractors will ensure that they’ll keep clutter to a minimum by laying down mats on which they’ll place materials and tools. They should also keep their portable toilets and dumpsters away from your neighbors, and clean and empty them as necessary. Once the project is done, they shouldn’t forget to sanitize and clean up the area. Your home should look brand-new once the dust settles.
Create a Safe Environment For Everyone
For all remodeling projects, safety should be your number one priority over anything else. Your contractors should put up an orange safety fence to cordon around the project site. They should also put out hay bales to prevent mud, soil and rock slides from damaging your property or your neighbor’s. Before the project, you should ask them for an excavation notice so that you can keep your pets and children safe. Make sure that you move your cars and other valuables to a safe place. Close all your doors and windows as well.
Noise Problems
Noise is another significant issue you need to address when working on an exterior renovation project as the drilling, pounding and thumping can affect the comfort of your neighbors. As stated earlier, be as courteous as possible, and kindly inform your neighbors that you’re going to have a project coming up soon so that they can prepare for the noise. Also, you’ll need to check your local building code to see which days and hours are allowed for construction so you and your contractor can plan accordingly. Try not to schedule construction on rest days like Sundays so that your neighbors can have some peace and quiet, and to give your contractors a chance to rest up as well.
Northeast Gutters and Remodeling is your trusted provider of roof replacement, repair and installment services. We build with confidence and want to ensure that your project is successful every step of the way. We’ve been trusted by thousands of homeowners and business owners alike for all their needs since 2004. We’re a GAF Factory Certified® roofing contractor as well. Give us a call at (860) 899-7878. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
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