complaining neighbor
I’m just curious as for your take on this. We are doing a big renovation on a house in the South Slope. Before beginning, I met with my neighbors, apologized in advance, explained all my plans. I have filed all plans with DOB, doing everything by the book. But because I have a hydrant in…
I’m just curious as for your take on this. We are doing a big renovation on a house in the South Slope. Before beginning, I met with my neighbors, apologized in advance, explained all my plans. I have filed all plans with DOB, doing everything by the book. But because I have a hydrant in front of my house, the dumpster ends up in front of my neighbor’s house. He is furious, calling me complaining. I go by the job site regularly and I think the contractors are doing a good job of keeping it clean and closing up the dumpster, but the guy calls 311. The inspector comes by, says, keep it clean, but no citation, as we are doing okay. Should I be doing something different or is this guy just being a jerk?
Your contractor can definitely use a truck rather than a dumpster.
BTW- I am restoring a five story 10,000 sq ft. brownstone and I do not have a dumpster.
So, try to explain the entire situation to your neighbor- like you are putting your thinking caps on together. Have the neighbor try to make a decision for the best course of action- taking into account all of the facts. I find so often that if you can make the person who is feeling the loss of control, feel like the decision maker- they arrive at something rational.
I think my neighbor would want what SenatorStreet says. But the contractor says this is impossible. First of all, they are bringing out debris daily. Then they can only park it one day a week, so they have to have it all week or not at all for the week. Since there is renovation going on throughout the house, he doesn’t want to do a truck removal situation. I see dumpsters all over brooklyn, so I don’t think it’s outrageous, though I understand it’s a drag.
What is it that your neighbor wants? You have to know this to resolve the situation.
As long as the dumpster doesn’t move in – all is ok. It should not be there for more than a couple of days at a time. Get dumpster, fill dumpster, remove dumpster promptly – repeat.
Take him out to a strip joint. Just kidding. Sometimes people just want an enemy and life works better for them that way. One philosopher said life is empty without a struggle or cause. You’re it. Hopefully he will get over it once the dumptster is gone. Ask him what he would do if he was renovating and the hydrant was in front of his house?
Thanks, Mrs. Limestone. We love your renovation blog by the way!
THe other neighbors have been perfectly nice.
Do you have a better relationship with your neighbor on the other side?
Yes, he is being a complete jerk.