How to Notify Your Neighbors About Your Remodeling Project

What Designers Recommend

It takes a whole team of designers and builders to remodel a home. Even if your remodeling project stays within your own four walls, your neighbors can’t help but get involved whether they’re hearing demolition noise or passing your contractors in the street. For that reason, many design professionals recommend notifying your neighbors close by in writing well before starting your remodel. It’s kind of like you’re giving them a heads up before throwing a party, ​a way to avoid bad feelings and noise complaints. It’s polite to let them know of what will be happening and apologize in advance.

Your Letter Should Sound Official

Keep your letter formal. From the greetings to the conclusion, it should sound official. Have all the features of a formal letter including a date and a written signature. Also include a timeline. Even though you might not know exactly how long the remodel will take, you should have a rough idea. Yes, it’s understandable that certain factors like weather and other unforeseen circumstances can impact the duration, but still provide a timeline.

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Here are some points to cover in your letter:

• A brief description of the work in your remodeling project being done
• Assurances you instructed the contractor to keep work areas clean, to avoid work in the evenings and on weekends, and to generally minimize disruption
• An apology for any potential inconvenience and a thank you for the neighbor’s patience
• Contact information in case of any concerns
• An approximate timeline of the work

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Example Letter

With that being said, here is an example of a standard letter you could use:

Dear John,

I am very excited that work on my kitchen remodel will begin soon, and I wanted to let you know that the work is set to be carried out between September 1st and December 1st or thereabouts. I just wanted to inform you of the work and apologize in advance for any noise or disturbances that may be created near your home.

Cabinets Extraordinaire will undertake the remodel for me and have instructed them that work may only be carried out between 8:30 A.M. and 5 P.M. on weekdays. You will see their trucks parked outside my home as they carry out the construction.

Jerry Schanz is the Project Manager overseeing my remodel, and he can be contacted at 941-780-7800 should you have any questions or concerns for him. All tradespeople and subcontractors you see on site will be overseen by him. Of course, you can also contact me directly at 111-111-1111.

Thank you in advance for your understanding during this upcoming project, and I’m looking forward to many great dinner parties with you when the new kitchen is ready and working!

Sincerely,
Mary