House shaking because of nearby building works - what to do?

Lysander

Lysander

Lysander

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Right... not my place but my girlfriend's. She's living in an Edwardian house which has been converted into flats and she has the top floor flat [second floor].

Some building work has been going on nearby for a short while but in the last week the house has started shaking because of the deep excavations, quite badly at times. Occassionaly when the workmen start early we'll be woken up by it and sometimes it's so bad that things fall off shelves. When it started for the first time we thought it was another earthquake!

I'm going to write an email to the construction company but considering the amount of money that must have been invested in this project they're not going to put it on hold because of a few emails. The shaking is worryingly bad at times and given the age of the house I don't want it to damage the property or even for the place to fall down! Any suggestions about how we can actually do something about this?
 
I know that a council might not do anything but in theory isn't it them to whom you are meant to complain? in theory that's what they are there for :p
Otherwise find out how long it's going to last... could be a good excuse to get her to reside with you for a bit? ;)
 
Just been through this at work, they're sinking foundations for a new complex over the road and we've been shaken to hell and back over the last few months. They wouldn't stop, or even do it at a more considerate hour. :(

I wonder where you would be in the event of structural issues, or more over how you would prove that the vibrations caused the damage in the event of a claim?
 
NeoReloaded said:
They will not do anything believe me! It should'nt take long for the ground works to be finished anyway!
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This is what I was concerned about. I could at least notify them and the council. I know what these companies are like though, they're skim the email and click "delete". Is there no way to get them to take notice?

I'll certainly write to the council though.
 
Lysander said:
This is what I was concerned about. I could at least notify them and the council. I know what these companies are like though, they're skim the email and click "delete". Is there no way to get them to take notice?

I'll certainly write to the council though.
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what do you expect them to do, just stop, and leave iy as a piece of waste ground because it inconveniences your girlfriend?
 
Lysander said:
This is what I was concerned about. I could at least notify them and the council. I know what these companies are like though, they're skim the email and click "delete". Is there no way to get them to take notice?

I'll certainly write to the council though.
Click to expand...

Most councils have a helpline, I would also ring that.
 
Open the highest window in the house & shout EARTHHHHHHHHHQUAKKKKKKKKEEEE about every 20 minutes just for comedy value.
I did this from my back yard the day after the earthquake the neighbours kids loved it :D
 
Tefal said:
what do you expect them to do, just stop, and leave iy as a piece of waste ground because it inconveniences your girlfriend?
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Wow, that was an overreaction. It's not about inconvenience. If you were in the property when it takes place you would also have serious concerns about the potential damage it could do. As I said it's like being in an earthquake multiple times a day.
 
Lysander said:
Wow, that was an overreaction. It's not about inconvenience. If you were in the property when it takes place you would also have serious concerns about the potential damange it could do. As I said it's like being in an earthquake multiple times a day.
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well as i said what do you expect them to do?

Take at it with shovels?

A survayer and a couple of structural engineers would have had to look it over before they where even allowed to start...
 
Write to the council, the developers and the construction firm, letters sent special delivery. Keep copies and document all of your interaction. Contact your house insurance firm, again, document EVERYTHING. If you can, record any phonecalls youmake regarding it. Take photos, record video. The most important thing is to gather as much evidence as you can while it's happening.

(EDIT: Special delivery because it gets noticed far more than ye ol' regular snail mail)
 
Dont bother writing to the council you need to get on the phone and ring Environmental Health.

First thing they will do is ring the developers, that usually nips things in the bud straight away.

They will also impose times that the construction work can be carried out and starting work before the set time can incur a notice
 
Take some photos now if poss just in case cracks develop.
Make note of the time they start work - they cannot work before a certain hour I cannot remember.
Maybe make a short video during the vibration.

Local residents should have received a letter of intent to warn them and surveyors should have come round and get photos prior to the start of work.

Do ring the council/developers/Environment Agency/number on the signs on the site to let them know.

H&S is important these days for reputable contractors on site, and they should try to mitigate any issues.
 
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