[Masseys]

I have just moved to HK with my husband and 7 month old son. We have found an apartment we really like, but have found out the building is going to undergo external renovations in a few months. We've been told by the landlord that it will take 6 months and the building will be covered with scaffolding and windows blocked. Being new here i'm not sure how bad this would be? Has anyone lived through an external building renovation? Should we take this as a sign to walk away or is it something you can deal with? (knowing that in HK if the renovation isnt happening in your building, its likely to be the one next door or across the road!)
Many thanks.

[Skyhook]

They do a bit more than scaffold the building, they completely bag the building with a tree green plastic mesh material.

I saw them do that to some of the towers at the Gold Coast nearest the hotel, about 2 years ago, and just thought to myself how bad it must have been for people inside not having sunlight or any view during the exterior renovation.

[PDLM]

There will also possibly be jack-hammering 10 hours per day for the first period while they remove the previous tile coating.

I'd steer well clear unless you can get it for at least 50% below market rate (and you'll all be out of the house during the working day).

[hullexile]

It does depend on the extent of the external renovation. We had it going on for a year but they used the green netting very sparingly and apart from the odd shock of coming out of the shower to find a man looking in the 16th floor bedroom window it really was not that bad.

[rani]

I would find another place too. It will be noisy and baby will not be able to nap during the day. Work can also be delayed and 6 months may end up being 9-12mths

Rani

[Alby]

Walk away and look at alternatives.

There is constant noise that echoes endlessly and vibrates the walls of your apartment if they are doing drilling, hammering and banging. Most likely with a 7-month you will be at home most of the time so this will be an annoyance not to mention a large investment in migraine medicine.

The law, I believe, they can do from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday any and all drilling but hammering and banging has no time frame. In essence they can hammer and banging 24hrs 7 days per week plus the 10 hours of drilling day.

[Masseys]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Being new to the city, I was not really sure how much of a headache it might involve. Its just such a shame after so much looking that its the one we most liked! Such is life. Thanks again.