Neighbours warned before builders start hammering

An early-warning system to alert neighbours to the fact the builders are about to move in next door has been adopted by Auckland City Council.

The council's "good neighbour initiative" promises to give adjacent property owners plenty of notice that work is about to start at a site near them by sending a letter when a building consent is issued.

It will tell neighbours what is planned and give them the option of having a detailed plan of the works emailed to them.

Aucklanders had become increasingly concerned over intensive housing developments in some suburbs and the council's call centre got about 1000 calls a year from neighbours worrying about what was going on next door, said planning and regulatory committee chair Glenda Fryer.

However, the new scheme only applies if the building work is worth $200,000 or more.

The building industry cautiously welcomed the move.

"But we don't want more paperwork or that you have to advise the person ten doors down the road, there's enough costs out of council now," said Registered Master Builders Federation Auckland spokeswoman Diane Phillips.

"I don't think it's a bad thing but it's interesting they put a value of $200,000 or more because that's quite a big job."

Nigel Mandeno, project manager for building firm About Villas, which specialises in house alterations and renovations, said staff usually made themselves known to neighbours once work began but anything that would help keep the peace was a good thing.

Des Budd of Ascot Building Services, with 30 years' experience in the trade, said keeping the neighbours onside was good for business because happy neighbours might hire you themselves.

Ms Fryer said another initiative from council was to make "neighbourhood development" plans available to house buyers online.