As the wife of Rand's president, I have been around building construction in New York City for more than 25 years and appreciate the energy and vitality of urban revitalization. So when our new neighbors decided to gut renovate the dilapidated brownstone next door, I was thrilled.
Since I work at home, I volunteered to be their onsite eyes and ears while they were away during the day. I assured them I understood what was involved with a renovation project, and that they would be delighted at my level of cooperation and Zen-like spirit.
That was then. Now, four months, one call to the Buildings Department, and several red-faced tirades in my pajamas later, the eyes and ears I volunteered have taken a beating.
- Gut feeling: A major renovation next door will run you ragged if you let it.
But though my Zen-like spirit was down, it wasn't out. I've since developed a coping plan that hopefully will see me through the rest of the project. Here's my advice to those faced with a similar situation:
- The noise and vibrations during demolition can be worse than you possibly could have imagined. Plan to be away from the house as much as possible during this phase—no earplugs can block out the sound, and your nerves will be frazzled.
- Once the construction work begins, the noise may still get loud at times, but it is more sporadic and less psychologically discomforting than it is during demolition. Though I usually like to work in silence, I found playing music when the noise gets loud helps me focus back on my work. If music doesn't do it, a walk around the block may clear your head.
- Although it may seem unneighborly, don't offer to help. In fact, try to keep the construction work out of your life as much as possible. If you don't, it won't take long for it to disrupt—and possibly take over—your normal routine. Be polite, but don't grant favors that intrude on your privacy or time. And put up curtains!
- Find out at the start of the project who you should contact if there's a problem and get a hold of that person as soon as there's an issue. Keep a record of your complaints in case the condition hasn't been corrected in a reasonable amount of time.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. If the work crew forgets to sweep up one day, let it go. Save your anger and energy for the big items—the things that are unsafe or unethical.
Remind yourself that after all the disruption is over and the project is completed, your property values will go up and you'll see a beautifully restored building next door and not an eyesore. Plus you'll have new neighbors to trade construction war stories with for years to come.
