COMMON WALL, COMMON COURTESY

If you have to renovate, you have to respect your neighbours. This is especially true if you share a common wall like many of us do in Old Walkerville. By and large this rule has always been upheld by sticking fast to common sense but every now and then some of us lose sight causing needless friction with our good neighbours. Here are some tips to keep the peace and to keep your project on schedule:

Plan your project well. Good planning up front makes the whole project run efficiently and effectively. All details of the project should be taken into account including material storage, cleanup and scheduling.

Even though it's your renovation, the first and most important thing to do is talk to your neighbours.

Let them know what you are doing and find out if it will interfere with their routine in any way. Remember that people are looking to relax after a long day at the office. This is the time to set the ground rules for working hours. Reasonable hours are after 10:00 AM on weekends and never past 8:00 PM on any evening. All hours should be negotiated with your neighbours. Plan your project so that the heavy work gets done in the daylight hours and lighter work such as cleanup gets done in the evenings. No blaring music in the evenings! This is especially true if any of your work has to do with the common wall. You will be surprised at how much more work gets done when your work place is clean and organized.

Your building methods also have an impact on keeping the peace. Instead of using a hammer and nails to frame a wall; use construction screws and a drill. This makes the work much faster, stronger, more accurate and much quieter. In the off hours try using a good hand saw to cut studs instead of a powered saw.

While you are talking with your neighbours, find out if they might benefit from your renovation as well. For example, if you are opening up the common wall maybe they might be interested in upgrading or adding to their electrical, plumbing or communications infrastructure. It would also be the right time to discuss sharing some costs for certain things like fire blanket and sound attenuation. You might also find your neighbours are glad to chip in and help with the renovation. Invite them into the process not the problem.

If you are on the opposite side of the coin; that is, your neighbour is the one who is not being courteous, then it is your responsibility to address the problem with him. If you don't, who will? There is a good chance that he or she will be more than willing to adjust their work schedule. Perhaps they are thinking that if no one is bringing it up then its OK. (testing their boundaries) If you feel that they are not approachable for whatever reasons, then send them this link or print it out and stick it in their front door.

We all have to obey the rule of common courtesy. No exceptions. There is nothing more valuable than good neighbours. Here's to happy renovations and great relationships!