Builders

[jules77]

Need some advice......We have builders next door, basically our neighbours are extending front and back of their bungalow. We have already had issues round the back with the boundary line and our fish pond, now they have started work on the front.

My father has his bungalow in an annexe down the garden, and parks his car up against our garage, which is up against the dividing wall to next door where they are building. Several times a day they are coming round asking him to move his car as they dont want any pieces of brick to damage it. I can understand their point of view, but should we be inconvenienced for what they are doing, as my father told them if they caused any damage they would have to pay for it, and they said not? Not that it makes any difference, but my father has had a knee replacement and has to keep trudging up the garden, and he also looks after my mother with Alzheimers, and they dont seem to care about what he may be doing as long as he moves his car out the way. Our drive is also a mess covered in dust, the black tarmac being red.

[danchip]

can't your father park somewhere else?

As for the drive i'm sure if you mentioned it to them they would clean it up for you!

[jackthehat]

Write a letter.
Tell them is is their responsibility to ensure that their work does not adversely affect *anyone*. They can say what they like, they 'would' be responsible for any damage.

Is this happening with your neighbours or their builders ?

[jules77]

Our drive can comfortably fit three cars without having to move them around. Now my dad is in my spot and my husband cant get his in unless he parks where my dads was. Anyway, I dont see why he should park somewhere else?

The builders are doing work on our neighbours property, so nothing to do with us.

[danchip]

im not saying you should park somewhere else but if it saves your dad's legs and stops his car getting damaged then its something to think about!

Its far more of an inconvenience for your fater to move his car than it is for them to come and ask him to move it so they'll do it for the duration of the job if they need to!

[The Builder]

As is often the case Jules, a bit of common sense is needed here. Despite what they say, they will have "public liability" insurance, probably to £10million. It's there for any damage to you, your property, and the rest of the planet.
Compensation is one thing, but doesn't allow for the inconvenience of the car being damaged and off the road.

[bookbinder]

I can understand your irritation, jules77, but the building work won't last for ever. Builders can't avoid making a mess, but when it's all over, everything will be nice and tidy.

[jules77]

I know he could move the car, but he doesnt like being inconvenienced. I can see both points of view, but dad is angry that he cant park his car where he wants to in his own drive.

[jackthehat]

Jules - Who is doing the asking; the Builders, or the neighbours ?

[jules77]

Oh sorry, the builders are asking us to move the car.

[jackthehat]

Have a word with your neighbours about *their* builders.
If your neighbours let it be known that your family are not to be bothered nor forced to move their cars it may concentrate the Builders' minds and persuade them to approach their work in a different manner.

Be polite but firm. It may only be for a short time but it obviously has a real impact on your Dad.....

[jules77]

Yes it has, my dad is annoyed as he was doing something with my mother at the time, and she cant be left. Apparently they have also asked what time he gets up in the morning and if he can come and move the car as soon as he gets up.

[jackthehat]

Tell them that moving the car is NOT convenient and that they will have to be the ones to adapt their way of working.
Explain that you are not trying to be awkward for the sake of it, but that there are real difficulties involved every time they make what they think is a simple request.
As a compromise offer to make sure that the car is moved when it is *absolutely necessary* for them to work, not just when they think it would be easier for them.
Also get a digital camera and make sure that you keep a record of your Dad's car with all of it's lumps, bumps and chips; and if you think that they have caused any additional marks, bring it to the bosses attention 'immediately'.

[jules77]

Thank you for taking the time to respond and give me some ideas.

[Nini74]

the builders are just trying to do their job and are clearly concerned that your father's car doesn't get damaged. personally i'd be grateful for their concern, and they certainly don't appear to have been deliberately awkward about it, or rude with their requests. are you sure there's nowhere else that one of your three cars can be parked just for a little while ?

[jules77]

Nini - I can understand your point of view, but other than parking our cars in the road, no, there isnt anywhere. They have since splashed concrete over the side of my fathers car, our drive is constantly plastered with sand and not once have they offered to sweep it up. My father has now resorted to covering his car in sheets in case they start work before he gets up in a morning. At the end of the day, 'why' should we move our cars from our own drive, why doesnt he put up a screen to avoid any damage.