Construction of a house next door possibly starting soon... What to do about future bookings?

[Jim95]

The lot in front of us was recently sold.  We know that the new owners have submitted plans to the city for constructing a house.  We have no idea yet as to when the construction might begin.  But we are getting a LOT of booking inquiries for our high season here, February thru April.

And we are curious as to what we should do.  Since we don't know yet about their consturction dates, do we need to do anything yet? Once we know, can we offer a discount to anyone that might be affected by the noise, but with the caveat they accept the noise?  Of course we would also offer the option for them to just cancel, regardless of the normal cancellation policy.  One of the big selling points about our home, is that it is very quiet and peaceful here.  So we know for sure that some people would not want to book, knowing about the (possibility of) daily noise.  Others might not care as much.  We are a bit afraid that we might lose most of our first season of renting, after such a spectacular start.

Any tips or insight would be most appreciated.  Thanks!

[Steve143]

Hello @Jim95,

The first thing I'd try to do is get a schedule from the neighbours so you have a projected start date for construction.

When they have definite dates it should also be possible to get daily times from them e.g. builders will be on site from 8am to 6pm.

Getting a start date would at least allow you to say that guests leaving before then won't need to know anything.

You would then be able to manage guests staying during the projected construction period.

You could message them with notice of the likely noise levels e.g there may be machinery on the site, scaffolding construction, hammering etc. anf how far away it is and during what times of the day. I'd offer a discount so that if they accept it they are buying in to the situation.

Keep in contact with them daily if they do check in to try to avoid the situation where they stay, don't complain while there but then look for a big refund after they leave.

[Jim95]

HI Steve, if they accept a discount with the caveat that there will be construction noise, then I don't see how they can request a refund at the end.  I spoke with a VRBO rep who said that if the renters had accepted the discount, and the condition of the noise, then VRBO would not allow them a refund, nor allow the credit card company to rescind the payment.

Thanks!

[Sandra126]

I had someone build next door (area of absolute peace and quiet normally) for 12 months, they have finished now. It wasn't a big problem really though I had feared it would be. There was no noise on weekends which is perfect, my most expensive days. Check if yours will go on during weekends. The worst was pre-construction, as the plumbing etc was going in. There was a lot of shouting and swearing and loud  loud radios playing. I had to go and tell them to pipe down on several occasions and it helped even if they saw me as a total nanna. I told my guests that they start it up again, call me and I will be there. Once the walls were up and that was superquick, the site is visually gone and the noise is kept to behind walls. Not a problem really. I found that it is not the construction noise as such which is bad, it is the ridiculous shouting and unwanted radio that causes the disturbance.

Start a dialogue with the builder/owner. Ask for working times. Check the legal noise times. Tell any guests which may be affected, it won't be that many. If guests are sightseeing during the day, builders might have packed up by the time the guests return home.

And I can also add that not one single guest mentioned it in their review. Not one.

[Elissa22]

HI there, I'm very new to the Airbnb community, just 11 bookings under my belt so far. I am in Australia in a new suburb, my house is listed as spectacular new home in a new estate. Problem is that people are attracted to airbnbing a new house but.... there a still a few vacant land spaces in he new estate. low and behold, the owner of a vacant plot started building a couple of days ago. I'm just shy of making the super host status, i have many forward bookings at good prices to reduce my mortgage. I have informed my future guests that there will be construction over the next 16-20 weeks but I still have some major dates available eg: september school holidays/ festivals available. Do I just hope for the best or majorly discount in the hope that guests will book and put up with some noise. Thanks for any help, Elissa