Angry neighbours!!!

Hello ladies and gents!.. This is my first post so excuse me if i waffle. I just wanted to tell you about an experience i had the other week....A bit about me - been self employed for 5 years now, my work is mostly maintenance with one off jobs at weekends and (hopefully) more so in winter.Anyway i was at one of my fortnightly customers week before last, a semi detached house on one of those Redrow estates, front and back garden to keep tidy. Having finished strimming the edges of the lawn in the front i went to put my strimmer in the van. Through my ear defenders i could the shrill of a woman a couple of doors down on the opposite side of the road shouting "excuse me?"...I took the ears off and she asked if i was finished....i said "yes why?" ....thinking she wanted a quote or something (although she was in her nightie which i thought wouldv been a bit odd) ....anyway she shouts...."cos i'm on effing nights!!!!!" ( i thought i'm on days!).....effing this, effing that! i was a bit dumbstruck and by the time i'd thought of anything to say she'd stormed back in near slamming her front door off it's hinges still cursing and blinding back up the stairs !!!!i couldn't believe it, bear in mind this was 2pm in the afternoon!!...I mean if she'd have been polite about it i might not have then started up the blower to clear the bits of grass away and used a brush instead.I'm just wondering has anyone else had complaints like this off night shift workers??..or what would you suggest i say to her?i didnt want to tell my customer as i didnt want to put him in a position and for him to think that i wanted him to have a word with her so i'm just going to see what happens on Friday when i go there next, see if she gives me a volley of abuse again. better take a flak jacket, it was one hell of a temper!!

We have had it a few times over the years, would be helpful if the client told us so we could plan our use of machinery but not much you can do really and as far as I am aware your not breaking any rules and we have a business to run...

Kirsty Blair said:

I've had people ask us to stop cutting stone - during the day. I politely say that we have a deadline and say I'll get my arse well and truly kicked if we haven't finished the job on time.

I don't know why some people believe they are more important or what they do is more important than everybody else.

I don't let it worry me, often its best to tell the client,as more often than not, they know what the neighbour is like and will offer some sort of help to resolve the issue.

Its not really your problem if your employed to do a job, hand it over to the client and keep your ear defenders on next visit.

Replies

Kirsty Blair July 8, 2010 at 12:59am

I've had people ask us to stop cutting stone - during the day. I politely say that we have a deadline and say I'll get my arse well and truly kicked if we haven't finished the job on time.

I don't know why some people believe they are more important or what they do is more important than everybody else.

I don't let it worry me, often its best to tell the client,as more often than not, they know what the neighbour is like and will offer some sort of help to resolve the issue.

Its not really your problem if your employed to do a job, hand it over to the client and keep your ear defenders on next visit.
Gareth July 8, 2010 at 6:59am

It might be worth checking out noise regulations, just to have some calming government guidelines to appease annoyed neighbours.

I should know myself but can anyone point the direction to relevant site/info?
Busy Bee Garden Services Limited July 8, 2010 at 7:01am

We have had it a few times over the years, would be helpful if the client told us so we could plan our use of machinery but not much you can do really and as far as I am aware your not breaking any rules and we have a business to run...

Kirsty Blair said:
I've had people ask us to stop cutting stone - during the day. I politely say that we have a deadline and say I'll get my arse well and truly kicked if we haven't finished the job on time.

I don't know why some people believe they are more important or what they do is more important than everybody else.

I don't let it worry me, often its best to tell the client,as more often than not, they know what the neighbour is like and will offer some sort of help to resolve the issue.

Its not really your problem if your employed to do a job, hand it over to the client and keep your ear defenders on next visit.
Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus July 8, 2010 at 7:02am

Tell her to ask her all her neighbour's permission for you to come back at 2 in the morning to do the work when she's at work!
- Classic Gardens > Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus July 8, 2010 at 7:33am
  
  Sod them!!
  
  What have you done wrong? Does she keep coming out everytime a car or the bin men come out! If you were working at 7.00am I can understand it but not 2.00pm.
  
  Nick Donaghey @ Garden Gurus said:
  Tell her to ask her all her neighbour's permission for you to come back at 2 in the morning to do the work when she's at work!
HM GARDENS July 8, 2010 at 10:17am

I would just mention it to your client and perhaps do later afternoon if client not concerned carry on as normal, but you would be of no nuisance to anyone carrying out routine maintenance for a garden with a mower and strimmer.

It's not road drilling, as for effing and blinding I would walk away until she stops abuse, it's her problem that's night shift for you.
Cesare Harradine July 8, 2010 at 10:19am

Suggest a friend who fits double glazing to better sound proof her house and take some commision on the sale.
PRO

Lara Hurley July 8, 2010 at 12:53pm

Take a present of a little packet of ear plugs...

Cesare Harradine said:
Suggest a friend who fits double glazing to better sound proof her house and take some commision on the sale.
Graeme @ BGS July 8, 2010 at 4:32pm

get it all the time unfortunately whilst we try to be considerate it is not always possible - had requests to keep the noise down due to hangovers, shift workers etc. and even once because the lady likes to read her books for 2 hours at a time but it all depends on her mood as to when she reads!

I am seeing a client tomorrow to trim some overhanging branches. I have been forewarned that the last time they were done the neighbour turned the water hose on him - not once but three times. In the end the police was called out. Now the client is in his 70's and in poor health not a nice thing to do to anyone at the best of times. Guess I will be taking the wet suit tomorrow and my rather large GSD who will be acting customer service manager!! :-)
Kieran Ray July 8, 2010 at 10:39pm

Surly if she is working hard at her job she should be so tired she cant help but sleep! lol. Tell her and see what response you get!

Maybe dont!