Another builder putting scaffolding on part of our driveway and aisle to lay brick for neighboring house

kwokwil0323 wrote: ↑Hi RFDer,

We are in a new construction sub-division with four builders; we occupied our house but the house beside just finished framing. The other builder (i.e., not my builder ) just put a notice at the front door telling us they may need to use our property during construction. Yesterday, they started putting scaffolding and part of it is on my driveway and cross my property line in the area between houses

Two concerns here:
1. Inconvenience caused as we cannot fit both of our cars on the driveway for the week or two at least
2. More importantly, the scaffolding is close to our roof and exterior wall. Worry about any damages caused by them will not be covered under my Tarion

Anyone in the forum had experience with similar situation, are they supposed at least talking to us for consensus first and to offer any compensation as opposed to just putting a notice at our front door?

Any suggestions will be appreciated before I stop by their construction office trailer next week.

raptormaniac wrote: ↑ Relax….if they cause any damage. Someone will fix it.

Inconvenience…is part of living on a new job site.

You never know when you might need them…..

kwokwil0323 wrote: ↑Thanks. If it is my builder, yes correct I want to keep in good relationship to have better service level in future.

But this is not my builder so is not my priority to maintain good relationship if they are crossing the rule first.

raptormaniac wrote: ↑ If you’re that concerned, go to your builder.

They will most likely say the same thing as what I just said….

Part of daily life on a construction site.

Zamboni wrote: ↑ Where do you live, its usually called something like Construction Access By Law....see what your area's rules are before going to builders trailer.

Take pics of driveway, siding, etc....tell builder you expect wood under scaffolding if you asphalt is in....the scaffolding pipe feet sink into asphalt.

Ballroomblitz1 wrote: ↑ Did someone say Karen.

kwokwil0323 wrote: ↑ Not going down to the rabbit hole for discussion as different people have different perspective on things that bother them or not.

Quick update - this has been resolved quickly now with quick response from builder's corporate office/lawyer and my real-estate lawyer.

They have now signed papers to assume unlimited liability not just to the house but also any personal property (e.g. my car parked on the driveway) during the construction period. We have cameras around the house so will be used as proof if anything happen.

Thanks @Zamboni: they didn't have wood under scaffolding now but will rectify immediately tomorrow morning to protect the asphalt.

At the end of the day, it was about clear communication and setting expectation right as opposed to treating this as entitlement. With involvement up to the builder owner now, hope this would help improve their process going forward for everyone in the community.

raptormaniac wrote: ↑ It’s reasonable to assume that homeowners and trades will cross paths in an unfinished subdivision.

It’s reasonable to assume that something may get damaged.

It’s reasonable to assume that the one who created the damage will pay for it.

When someone doesn’t believe in being reasonable….that’s a Karen/Chad!!!

raptormaniac wrote: ↑ It’s reasonable to assume that homeowners and trades will cross paths in an unfinished subdivision.

It’s reasonable to assume that something may get damaged.

It’s reasonable to assume that the one who created the damage will pay for it.

When someone doesn’t believe in being reasonable….that’s a Karen/Chad!!!

kr0zet wrote: ↑ Ahhhhhh, I see you have no actual experience in this area of life. As someone that has ACTUALLY owned a home in a new development, No, a builder will NOT take responsibility unless you have irrefutable evidence that they did something wrong.

raptormaniac wrote: ↑ Lol. I’ve been in the residential sector for over 30 years. I’m known from Windsor to Oshawa and All the way through cottage country….

We laugh when we get customers like this…we aren’t laughing with you….