Boom! Boom! Boom! CLANK! Are the repetitive noises you hear outside as the floor of your home begins to shake at eight in the morning because your neighbors have just started their demolition project. In order to better cope with the demolition project next door, it helps to know what to expect.

Registering a Dispute

Legally, the construction worker and/or business developer do have a responsibility to minimize the nuisances the demolition project causes. This can include issues such as noise, dust, and damage to your property. If you believe the construction team doing the demolition project is not doing their part to minimize the nuisances the project causes, you have a right to file a dispute.

Where you file, the dispute will vary depending on what kind of dispute it is. Noise and dust problems, for example, can be reported to the local Environmental Protection Agency. Noise nuisances can also be reported to the city council along with damages to your property or demolition work being done without permits or over the property line.

Dealing with the Noise

Unfortunately, any construction process is going to be a noisy one. Depending on where you live in Canada, there are laws and policies in place to protect you from listening to noisy construction sounds while you are asleep.

In Vancouver, for example, private properties are allowed to have construction projects making noises from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM during the week, and 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday. City streets are allowed to have them from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the week and on Saturday, and from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays and holidays. Private properties in Vancouver are not allowed to have construction projects making noise on Sundays or on holidays. In Vancouver, holidays include:

• Boxing Day
• Christmas
• Family Day
• New Year's
• Easter
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Thanksgiving
• Remembrance Day

Potential Damage to Your Property

Unfortunately, a demolition project next door does directly impact your home, as there is a risk your home could become damaged. If you are concerned about potential damage to your home, you should speak to the owner of the building being demolished. Collect their personal information in the event that your home is damaged.

While the construction team will do what they can to prevent your home from being damaged, accidents do happen. You will want to have this personal contact information to go through the right channels and get financial compensation for any damages the demolition project causes.

In some situations, the best thing you can do for yourself is just get away from your house for a while. You can go out and find something to do during the construction hours or you can find a friend or family member to stay with until the construction project is complete.