There are new homes being built behind our house (we'll be sharing an alley with them once completed) and they've just started to do the framework on some. I came home to find one of the crew walking across the alley to use the neighbor's water faucet. He was just getting a drink, but the situation made me mad. Our faucets are on the outside of the fenced yard, so they don't have to go into our backyard to get to a faucet. It just makes me wonder what else they're using our water for?!

The principle is they are trespassing and stealing. I'm about to walk down and look for a sign to see who the builder is and find some contact information. Hopefully I'm not making too big of a deal about this!

Not to play devil's advocate, but I remember a day when my grandma would make sweet tea and lemonade to deliver to construction workers on her street.

They probably didn't steal from her.

Having worked construction, I have done what you just said - using neighbors water.
My crew and I hated having to do that. Keep in mind we did drywall, so why the general contractor didn't have water hooked up made no sense to us. But needing to drink water, and needing to clean tools meant sometimes having to use neighbors water. we would try to ask them first, and make sure it was ok, but if they weren't home then we still had to do something.
I did have one job where the lady next door shut off her water at the main just so we couldn't use the ~5gal we needed a day.
If it is such a big deal to you and you just can't stand a hard working man who is hot and tired getting a drink from your hose CALL THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR OR BUILDER and let them know you don't want the construction crews using your water. they will talk to the subs and fix your perceived problem.

and twix...I think you are making too big of a deal about it. I just re-read you OP and if they are framing the house they don't have water of their own yet. why is it such a big deal if they get a drink from your faucet? is water so expensive that someone "stealing" a drink or maybe even cleaning his hands causes a shock to your wallet?
as long as they aren't running water all day or using much of it, find something more dangerous to make an issue over.

I would just think that people would have enough courtesy not to walk in someone's yard and use their stuff. Yes, it's a small amount of water. It's not going to break the bank. The building crews have already scratched up our wood fence hauling their equipment down the alley. They park anywhere they please so we can't always drive down the alley. It's like they have no respect for other people's property. Who knows what else they're doing while we're not here? What if they leave the water running?

Most construction crews that aren't run on a shoestring can afford to buy a water cooler and fill it up every morning.

We had the same problem a few years ago. We called the builder and they put it to a stop.

Burdizzo, you beat me to it....I see giant water coolers on work trucks all the time with various businesses.....it should be provided

They could also get a temp meter from Development Services if they need a *lot* of water. Sounds like they're using less.

Twix you aren't making a big deal out of nothing. Stealing services is a culture for construction crews, sadly. When the house next to us was being built (in College Station), I came home early one day to see an extension cord draped across my front lawn. It was plugged in to my outlet next to my front door. They were running power to one of those huge saws that they use to cut brick. I unplugged it and went inside. When I left about 20 minutes later, it was plugged back in. They walked across my yard, while I was home, and plugged it back in!!! I went in the garage and shut off the breaker to that plug. About two weeks later, I figured it was safe (and wanted to use my porch light again) and turned it back on. Came home for lunch, and once again they were plugged in. I complained to the supervisor (he did nothing), I called the cops (they couldn't do anything unless they caught them in the act), the building inspectors that I worked with said I should get a big set of hedge clippers, unplug the plug and cut it off. That's what I should have done. Instead I just shut off the power and left it off until the house was done.

They also would help themselves to my water. I wouldn't have minded, first if they hadn't been stealing my electricity, and second, if they had asked. They also splashed concrete on my bricks washing out their buckets.

If it were today, I'd put a no trespassing sign up and call the cops if they wandered over. Its ridiculous and you shouldn't stand for it. Stealing is stealing, no matter if its property, gasoline or water.

[This message has been edited by TxElsie (edited 5/16/2008 7:55p).]

Love Thy Neighbor........

My Dad worked road construction for 25 years and ran a maintainer for a dirt contractor for another 25 or so years. Needless to say, he would not have had water if he had not taken a big water cooler with him every day. I don't think it is too much to ask for these guys to do the same. I tend to agree with the OP in principle, but I would probably let it go if it were me.

Ok...I'm glad I'm not the only person that doesn't like that this is happening (based on principle!). My concern is they are going to eventually use the faucet to rinse off tools and such, thus leaving mud and small bits of concrete in our yard. I definitely don't want to see an extension cord running across my yard!

With summer and hotter temperatures around the corner, surely these guys know to provide their own water or the super will provide it for them. There are actually 2 builders building out here and I have found contact information for both of them. I think I'm going to start with a cordial email expressing my concern and asking if anything can be done to remedy the situation.

I would have no problem giving them all the water and electricity they needed...if they would just ask! If they did it without asking it would irritate me.

Next time someone runs a water hose or electrical cable accross your yard and uses your utilities yank on it real hard. If it comes loose, roll it up and put it in the garage. If they complain ask for a reciept.

Disclaimer,
If you pull it and you here a loud noise follwed by a scream, immediately drop the cable/hose and go inside.

maybe he did ask the neighbor?! Do you know for sure?

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Love Thy Neighbor........

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Thou shalt not steal...

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maybe he did ask the neighbor?! Do you know for sure?

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This is an excellent point. You probably shouldn't go accusing people of "stealing" when you don't know the situation. Save the email until it's your water or at least talk to the neighbor first to make sure.

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I would have no problem giving them all the water and electricity they needed...if they would just ask! If they did it without asking it would irritate me.

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I totally agree with that statement.

what Stupe and FortySomething said.

If the crew is big enough, one water cooler ain't gonna last them all day.

So Stupe and Fortysomething, you'd have no problem if I parked my RV next to your house and ran an extension cord to your outlet and ran my power off of your house for a couple of days this summer?

I wont ask first, of course, I'll just sneak over in the middle of the day when you are at work.

[This message has been edited by TxElsie (edited 5/17/2008 11:28a).]

Leave it to a woman to pick and choose what is heard.

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So Stupe and Fortysomething, you'd have no problem if I parked my RV next to your house and ran an extension cord to your outlet and ran my power off of your house for a couple of days this summer?

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That is not what they said.

BTW, I work construction right now and all of the contractors we use bring their own water, but besides that my boss turns on the water ASAP on a job site, as well as electricity. Seems like there is some penny pinching builders in your area.

working in the heat >>>>>>>>>> sitting in an air conditioned RV

What city is this in? I thought it was part of the building permit requirements to have temporary electric, water, and a port-a-can on the job site.

By the way, I knew a drywall worker who would pee in the mud bucket if it got a little dry.

Aggiefan, I don't know if it is a requirement or not. Typically the builder puts in an electrical post for each 2 houses. In our case, the house next door was infill - the last house on the street after we'd all been there several months. They didn't want to take the effort when it was easier to steal my utilities.

I just love how people justify theft. ohhh, it's hot outside... ooh, it would take to long to put up an electric post... If they need the stuff so badly and can't get someone to bring them water, or pay for their own electricity, they could just ask.

In my case it was College Station and the builder was Main Street Homes.

[This message has been edited by TxElsie (edited 5/17/2008 2:38p).]

I plan on asking my neighbor before I do anything. I just went by to talk to them and they weren't home. This is in college station. These construction crews have scratched our fence, they leave trash everywhere and because of the recent rain, our alley is one solid layer of mud and gravel from all the vehicles and equipment dragged up and down it. And as I sit here, I am being serenaded by a rhythmic bass guitar from their loud tejano music.

I can't wait for this lovely New Vision home development to be done with. Then we get new neighbors.

CT

what time is your hubby getting to teh game?

Hey Tanya, he's planning on getting there by no later than 6:00. He has your cell number. He's getting there early to park and maybe go tailgate with some friends. He will at the gate to the left of the ticket windows if that works for you.

that works for me

I don't know if U were the one I was talking to - but I was walking with my son earlier this weke - and I saw the a construction worker doing what U were saying (they are building some new homes behind existing homes). I went and rang the ball of the home owner and let them know this.

If they were doing this at my house, I'd be pissed. Who know how many workers/times they are doing this.

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Mister, we're neighbors too. I'm sure it's rather obvious I'm not too fond of the construction going on behind us. Gut feeling is that the didn't ask, but I will definitely make certain before I jump the gun.

Yes - I'm not happy either. We almost put the house up forsale - but the new homes are just too high. So, we did some remodeling, and we're gonna try to stick it out. But when I let them (the homeowner know) - she was upset, and thanked me for letting them know - as no permission had been given.

Stealing is stealing...

A city construction crew tried doing this to my condo this past week. I live off deacon and they have been replacing the power lines with metal ones. Well they are using water and electricy and I come home from lunch to see a power cord and MY hose running out from under my fence. I unpluged the cord and rolled my hose up and waited for them to come over and see what happened. They did and I told them if they wanted to pay me for my water usage and electricty they were using they were more than welcome to, if not get the hell outta my yard. Needless to say they left and went back to work.