Why is a renovation in progress notice crucial for neighbors

Home renovations can be exciting, but let’s be honest—they can also be a bit of a headache. Whether it’s your house, your neighbor’s home (a nightmare for you), your favorite coffee shop, or even your office building, seeing that renovation in progress notice can stir up a mix of emotions. On one hand, you’re thrilled about the potential for a fresh, updated space. On the other, you’re bracing yourself for the noise, dust, and temporary inconveniences. If you’re currently dealing with a renovation project, here’s how to navigate the chaos with a smile.

Why do home remodeling projects and renovations happen?

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), home renovation updates are often driven by the need to improve aging infrastructure or functionality. Or, simply keep up with modern design trends. Renovations might address wear and tear, increase energy efficiency, or just make the space more livable.

Whatever the reason, renovations are disruptive. The constant hammering, the occasional power outages, and the dust that seems to find its way into every nook and cranny—it’s enough to make anyone a little cranky. But here’s the thing: these inconveniences are temporary. 

Most home renovation projects take between 4 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on the scope. Commercial renovations might take longer.

Knowing what’s happening and when can help you (and your neighbors) mentally prepare for the disruptions. Hence the need for construction progress announcements or property improvement notices. 

Do you have to inform your neighbors about the building work?

Yes, you should! Even if your construction work is brief or seems minor, it’s considerate to let your neighbors know. A simple renovation in progress notice can go a long way in maintaining good relationships and avoiding complaints.

Most experts recommend written remodeling project notifications before starting any work. It’s a polite way to show consideration and maintain positive relationships. 

Here’s why notifying your neighbors matters:

• Even if the work is confined to your home, your neighbors may still hear loud noises or deal with dust. A heads-up helps them prepare.
• If the neighbors work from home or have young children, knowing the construction schedule, with regular renovation schedule updates, allows them to adjust their routines. You owe them this convenience. 
• A notice helps avoid legal issues. In some areas, notifying neighbors about renovations is required by local regulations or homeowners’ association (HOA) rules. Failing to do so could lead to fines or delays in your project. It’s always a good idea to check local laws and requirements before starting work.
• A home renovation in progress notice satisfies their questions about what’s happening, reducing unnecessary interruptions and curiosity.
• Being upfront fosters understanding and goodwill. If issues arise, like a leak affecting their space, they’re more likely to be patient if they were informed in advance.

Read more: How to be a good neighbor

How do you write a renovation in progress notice?

A good home renovation notice should be clear, informative, and easy to read. Here’s what to include in the building work in progress alerts.

A clear heading

Make sure the site renovation information is easy to identify with a bold title like:

• “Renovation in Progress”
• “Pardon Our Dust – We’re Upgrading!”
• “Construction Underway – Improvements Coming Soon”

Project details

Briefly explain what’s happening. For example:

• We’re upgrading our kitchen and dining area.
• Our home is undergoing renovations for a more comfortable living environment.
• New home design in progress! Thank you for your patience.

Reason for renovation

Your construction work could have an impact on your neighbors’ lives — be it enduring the noise, dust, or inconvenient parking. Let them know what they could expect during your home renovation. These could be:

• More vehicular traffic in the neighborhood.
• Strange workmen in the area.
• Some construction noise during working hours.
• Involvement of utilities such as water, gas, or electricity.

Expected timeline

Let people know how long the work will last through clear remodeling timeline announcements:

• Renovation is expected to be completed by [date].
• We apologize for any inconvenience. Work will continue from [start date] to [end date]. 

Contact information

Provide a way for people to reach out if they have questions or concerns. This could be an email, phone number, or even a point-of-contact person. Here’s an example: For questions, please contact [name] at [phone number/email].

Safety warnings

If there are specific hazards, include a short safety notice in the construction activity notifications:

• Please be cautious of wet paint and construction materials.
• For your safety, please avoid the renovation area.
• Authorized personnel only beyond this point.

Thanks and assurance

You need to assure your fellow residents that the general contractor has been instructed to keep the hallways and common areas clean, avoid work in the evenings and on weekends, and keep the disruption to a minimum. Apologize politely but firmly for any potential inconvenience and thank them for their understanding and patience. 

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Read more: How to deal with noisy neighbors?

What are some useful tips for an effective renovation notice?

• Keep the project development alerts short and simple. No one wants to read a long paragraph. Use bullet points or short sentences to get the message across quickly.
• Use large, easy-to-read fonts. Make sure people can read the notice from a distance.
• Choose the right colors. Black text on a white background is easy to read. You can also use yellow or red for important warnings.
• Use friendly language. A simple “Thank you for your patience!” goes a long way in keeping people positive about the renovation.
• Update as needed. If the renovation timeline changes, update the notice so people have the latest information.

Sample renovation in progress notice

While we’re sure you can frame a nice formal renovation notice keeping the above inclusions in mind, here’s a sample letter that you can use as a starting point.  

Name

Mailing Address

Telephone Number or Email Address

Date

Dear Neighbor,

I am pleased to inform you that work on my (type of renovation) will begin soon. I wanted to let you know that the construction work will be carried out between (tentative dates) or thereabouts.

I have engaged (name of the contractor or contracting company) for the project, and have instructed them that work may only be carried out between (working hours) on weekdays. The workmen involved will be parking on the street, but all work-related items such as rubbish skip, portable toilet, etc will be located in my backyard — out of view.

The contractor in charge of the work can be contacted at (contact details) should you need to speak with them. 

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience during this upcoming month of work.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

When and where should you post the notice?

You should give a renovation in progress notice to your neighbors well in advance of starting any work—typically at least two weeks before the renovation work begins. However, the exact timing depends on the scope of the project and local regulations. The location of your renovation notice is just as important as the content. Here are some good spots:

• Entryways: Place a notice near all entrances so visitors see it before they enter.
• Construction barriers or fences: If you have a temporary barrier, attach the notice where it’s clearly visible.
• Elevators and common areas: In apartment buildings or office spaces, post the notice in shared areas.
• Website and social media: If you’re renovating a business, update your website and social media pages with a digital version of the notice.

The light at the end of the tunnel

Informing and thanking your neighbors through a renovation in progress notice is in the interest of good relationships. It saves you from unnecessary hassles and drama while you carry out the building work on your home in peace. The simple letter will let them know that you’re aware that their lives may be impacted and that you appreciate their goodwill. 

Written by Ramona Sinha. May 14, 2021

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.