Construction Hell

There are three houses near us that are being constructed. One has been going on for three years probably. It is five stories high (American counting)or four stories for Indian standard. For around a year and a half it was not being worked on because the law didn't allow basements. So they had to seal the basement. Then there must have been other issues for why it wasn't being built. There was at least one man who lived in the partially built house all that time. He was probably the guard. Well now it is having marble laid. That may be the worst step in home construction for the neighbors. It is SO LOUD. The sound of marble being cut is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

That house is behind us a stones throw away. Across the street is another house that is being built. Around two months ago we noticed the people move out. Then the construction crew (4-5 men with sledge-hammers) showed up. They started hammering away, tearing it down one brick at a time. I was surprised at how quickly they brought the whole house down. I think it took 5 weeks for them to tear the three stories down. The bricks were then hauled away and a tractor showed up to dig the hole. Then a truck full of bricks came back and the laying of the walls began. The tearing down was loud. Imagine every four seconds a hammer hitting bricks. I think it will be a good 8 months of building for this house, if we are lucky.

Well then a couple weeks ago I started hearing banging again. This was coming from our next door neighbor. I thought they were hanging a picture or maybe fixing a wall. It is a new house that we went through two years of banging noise with. Well actually it is now the house two doors down. All the houses are connected, like row houses. So now that house is being torn down. Brick by brick. Bang, bang, bang.

Noise pollution is the worst pollution here. Especially when you live in an older neighborhood. All the old houses are being rebuilt. In our neighborhood of maybe 400 houses, I know of about 10 that are being built. The piles of dirt and sand in the streets is a nuisance. But the banging is enough to drive me crazy. And I really don't need any help there.