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You pulled an all-nighter at the office and you only got a few hours of shut-eye before you need to go to work again. But just when you are starting to dose off, loud banging sounds from the new house being constructed or driveway being installed next door jolt you awake. Now, you can’t go back to sleep no matter how hard you try.

Most builders often have an early start at work in the morning so they can get as much job done as possible during the day. Unfortunately, these can be very disturbing for those who have a long night or people who love to lie in.

Regardless of the potential noise, construction workers still need to do their job and there is no way that they can lounge around the whole day just to ensure that they don’t disrupt the sleeping residents.

But don’t worry because working hours have been put in place that specifies the time when construction workers and builders can make noise without breaking any law.

What Time Can Builders in the UK Start Working in the Morning?

Different parts of the country have different times when noisy work is permitted. This is because the local authorities are given power by the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to control noise coming from construction sites as well as other areas of the same nature.

But although the time varies across various councils, the standard hours when noisy work is allowed and considered acceptable is between 8 AM and 6 PM from Monday to Friday.

It is generally based on the concept of carrying out noisy work to let workers start earlier in the day to prepare things but carry out their job only once the clock hits 8 AM.

What Time Can UK Builders Work on Weekends?

Builders in the UK are generally allowed to start their work at 8 AM on Saturdays at 1 PM. But again, this may have some slight differences depending on the councils.

However, it means that workers can start their work at the same time as on weekdays but they often need to finish the job much earlier.

On bank holidays and Sundays, the guidance on hours is less specific but the majority of the councils agree that no noisy work should take place at all during these days regardless of the time.

Even though these guidelines are good, you still need to check the website of your local authority because there might still be some slight changes.

What is Noisy Work?

Noisy work is often described as the noise heard at the boundary of a site.  There are also instances when the workers may already be at the site outside the set hours but are only preparing before they begin their noisy work.

The local authorities also recognize those cases when there might be a need to work outside the allowed hours, as is the case on railway tracks when work must be done during those hours when trains are no longer running.

But local councils are given the authority to serve a notice on those who are performing demolition or construction works and inform them on the right way of carrying out the job to prevent any possible statutory nuisance.

The following can be specified in the notice for everyone’s guidance:

If a construction company or builder fails to comply with the laws of the local area when it comes to noise levels, they can be fined an unlimited amount and even prosecuted, with additional fines for every day that they don’t adhere to the rule.

How about DIY Home Projects?

Builders and construction companies are not the only ones who can produce noise. However, the guidelines are somewhat vague when it comes to loud and noisy DIY jobs.

The local authorities acknowledge that these projects are often done outside working hours because this is the only time when people are already at home doing stuff.

Once again, every local authority may have different guidelines. However, most recommend that unavoidable noisy activities should be done during social hours. The National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection defines these hours as between 8 AM and 7 PM on Saturdays and weekdays, and from 10 AM to 5 PM on Sundays.

Visit the website of your local authority to check for other specific restrictions.

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Building an extension is no easy feat. After all, this project needs time and money investments. Due to the things at stake here, it is important to work with the right builder.

Your builder should be able to give you a good idea of what will happen during the process and how long it will take them to finish it.

But you don’t need to just wait for your builder to tell you this or that. You also need to be proactive, and by that, it means you have to ask questions. Here are a few things you need to ask your builder during a home extension project:

Can you give me a timeline for the build schedule?

Just the start and completion dates won’t be enough here. Extensions involve several steps, and each step takes time. The team will knock out a wall or two, build the foundation, add walls, install the roof, and proceed with the interior and exterior cladding.

Fixtures and wiring will then be handled by an electrician and a plumber may also be called in to help. A reliable builder will be more than happy to outline the entire schedule for you so you will already know in advance what will be done and when.

Are there expected cost overruns or potential problems?

It’s common for construction companies to have building contracts that include provisions for unexpected cost overruns and variations, some of which can be time-consuming and costly. Be sure you and your builder take time to review your contract. Grab this opportunity to ask for detailed explanations for additional costs or possible issues down the line. A trustworthy builder will want you to stay in the know and help you understand why they can’t always justify potential cost overruns ahead of time.

How experienced are you with home extensions?

Yes, it makes perfect sense to assure yourself that you will be working with a builder with enough experience in home extensions and general renovations. Builders who specialise in new home builds may or may not be a good option for these projects. So be sure to check. Again, good builders will readily answer your questions.

They should let you know how many years they have been building in your local area. They should also show proof of insurance and license and provide references. Trusted builders also belong to a relevant trade association.

When a builder has already made a name in your community, it’s often a good indication that they are respected there.  But if the builder is a newcomer, you might want to ask about their previous location. You wouldn’t want to work with a builder who got a bad rap in another area and moved to your neighbourhood hoping to start anew.

How will we stay in touch?

You and your builder must stay in touch during the entire extension project. Since, likely, you won’t be around as they do their job, you need to know that you can contact the project manager even after hours.

You might also want to schedule personal meetings every week to go over the finished parts and what still needs to be done. Remember that it’s your project so you have to feel like you are part of it every step of the way.

What can I expect after the completion of the project?

Now, you might think this question sounds a bit silly, but it’s one of those questions you do need to ask no matter what. You might need additional work to ensure that your extension blends well with the rest of your home. Or maybe your landscaping might need some adjustments to make room for the new space.

Whatever it is, your builder must be able to tell you all the inclusions and exclusions of your contract. They should also provide documentation after the project that indicates every variation to the original contract together with the details of the cost of each one.

Setting expectations for the completion of the project will make it easier for you to prepare for any work necessary and the possible costs of this work once the builders pack their things and leave your property.

How will you protect my property during the process?

An extension is meant to make your home better, not damage it. For this reason, your builders should also assure you that they will take the necessary measures to protect your property at all costs.

They should inform you how to keep your home dust-free and how they will safeguard your landscaping furnishings and other belongings. If you need to store some furniture, they will also let you know in advance.

As they always say, when in doubt, ask. Raise these questions to your builder and have a seamless and smooth extension project!

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It’s quite ironic that most homeowners agree that the most difficult stage of a build project isn’t the job itself, but finding a reliable and competent builder to do the job.

While it’s easy to imagine remodelling your kitchen or tiling your bathroom, it is almost unimaginable how you will go about screening builders, all of whom are probably claiming to be the best in what they do. s

You might have heard of those horror stories about horrible builders who knocked down walls on day 1 but never returned at all. Or maybe you read about projects that end up blowing the client’s budget just when they thought they got it cheap.

To save yourself from these nightmarish problems, here are a few things to consider when it’s time for you to hire a builder in the UK for your upcoming project.

Confirm the Builder’s Communication Skills

An experienced builder should have excellent communication skills. Believe it or not, it can make a big difference to your entire project. It also ensures that you understand everything there is to know about the different stages of your home build.

The communication skills of the builder should always top your list of priorities to stay informed about the status of your project right from the beginning until its completion.

Aside from this, the builder must also clearly communicate their instructions to their team members so that everyone is always on the same page.

Most importantly, the builder must also be honest and upfront with you about potential setbacks to establish mutual respect right from the get-go.

Make Sure You Know How Much It Will Cost You

Your chosen builder should also have extensive knowledge of the expected complete cost of the construction, and give you a detailed and fair cost estimate. You want to hire a builder that is familiar with the fees associated with building permits and stamped architectural drawings of approval.

The builder must also be armed with insider information about how much it will cost to work with subcontractors, as well as the labour costs on average. By doing so, your contractor can give you a good idea of what you can expect as far as costs go, making it easier for you to make changes to your budget as and when needed.

Let Their Credentials Do the Talking

Why is it important to check and research the credentials of a builder? Well, the answer is obvious: credentials are like a summary of how experienced a builder is or not at taking on specific projects, especially your kind of project. You also want to make sure that the builder is certified and affiliated with the relevant trade associations.

These associations give certifications to their members based on experience and other criteria. Some also offer learning opportunities that allow builders to train and further their education.

However, certifications alone are not enough. You also have to confirm that the builder has all the necessary licenses and accreditations to operate in your area.

Quality Matters More Than Quantity

Just because the builder already built 150 new homes builds doesn’t automatically mean that they are the best choice for your project. When it comes to builders, the quality of work says a lot more than quantity. Quality should always be key when evaluating potential builders.

See to it that you choose a builder who knows how to work within a budget but wouldn’t dare cut corners that can compromise their work quality and ultimately disappoint their clients. The same thing also goes for worksite safety. Good builders will always ensure that their team members and your property will be safe throughout the project.

Take time to look into the previous works of the builder. They should have a portfolio of projects including house extensions, loft conversions and patio or driveway constructions. If possible, you might also want to reach out to their past clients and ask about their experience working with the contractor you have included in your shortlist.

Reputation Says a Lot

A builder’s reputation and the quality of their work always go together.  You want the work of the contractor to speak for itself, and their name should be synonymous with a good reputation. Always keep an eye out for positive stories, whether it is through client testimonials, online reviews, word of mouth, or all of the above. Making sure you do your homework will save you from the stress of trying to find the right builder for your project. In this modern era, it wouldn’t take much to hire the perfect team as long as you know how to look and what to look for.

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