The house next door has been vacant and empty for a few months now. There is no plumbing, heating or anything in the house. I just found out yesterday that Extreme makeover home edition is going to demolish it and rebuild a whole new one. It is going to be on TV and everything. I was told that my street would be closed for at least 10 days and I was just wondering. Is there any way to get compensation for the trouble this will cause for us, such as debris on our property, not being able to park our cars in our own driveway, not being able to let our children play outside, keeping the windows closed, SLEEP DEPRIVATION, pets being affected, etc.? :confused:

I would wait until someone actually does something wrong. You can't get compensation for something that hasn't even happened yet. You'll then need documentation and supporting evidence of your claim(s).

When you see someone from the production company on the premises I would go over to them and actually ASK them what's in this for ME? And see what they say about giving you some extra money. If you don't have your hand out now at the start of their project, you could miss out.

Or you could, of course, document every little thing that you are "out" due to this show and see them in Small Claims Court and try and collect.

As an afterthought, why is the show demolishing a vacant house? Is it still someone's home, but it's become unliveable? I've watched the show quite a few times and have never seen them tear down and rebuild an empty building.

While I am 100% positive this will cause inconvenience, what about the family they are helping and all the inconveniences that they have been through in order to have been accepted for a show like this.

Not only that, but instead of a vacant eyesore in your neighborhood (right next door) it will be replaced with a nice brand new house.

I am a firm believer in living life through helping others. What about coming together with the community to help?

If the city were to come in and demolish the house and rebuild you would most likeley not be compensated. If the city has to do work on streets you would not be compensated, etc. I am not sure that it would be different just because it is a TV show coming to and doing the work.

If worse comes to worse, you would probably have to approach it like this8384 said above. However, I think there is much joy to be found in the help that you give to other people.

I found this link on line and according to this neighbors are offered hotel accommodations.
WikiAnswers - Where do the neighbors go on Extreme Makeover Home Edition (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_do_the_neighbors_go_on_Extreme_Makeover_Home _Edition)

I agree with you DSMom, but it seems that everyone has their hand out these days looking for some money. Apparently this OP has a bad case of "I want to get rich, rich, rich regardless". That's why I told her to approach the production company people before they start. More than likely they've run into people like her before and have a standard answer ready for her inquiry.

I was wondering the same thing actually about the whole vacant house thing and I have seen this show many times. I have never seen it either. And the house that's there now is actually a very nice house inside and out. Its just that it has some cosmetic and plumbing problems on the inside and these people are getting it completely redone on the show.

And just to let everyone know I am not even asking for any money I just am a little worried about how this is all going to play out with my children and pets and vehicles. It is not about the money and I am happy for the people moving in. I am willing to help out if needed also. I just don't know how this will affect us.

Hello J:

I don't know what kind of production company runs this show. But, if they're like any of the shoots I've been on, the production company is a VERY good neighbor.

They pay if your house is filmed, or your car, or YOU. They keep everything spotless, and they feed you too.

I'll betcha they visit you before they start shooting, and I'll betcha they handle ALL your concerns. If not, and they're not good neighbors, let us know, and I'll tell you what to do about it.

excon

Well if the city came in and demolished and rebuilt, how would it affect you then? This would be the very same way, just the TV show is doing the work.

Our neighborhood is in the middle of switching from septic/well to sewagw/city water. While it is a huge pain on some days, its just what we have to deal with. My dog has barked and worried about the noise, my kids had to stay in and out of the way, the baby has been woken from naps because of the noise. Life goes on... its just one if the imperfections in life that we deal with and when its done everything is back to normal.

Thank you excon, finally someone is not making me out to look like the bad neighbor!

Also... it is around the clock work they are going to be working nonstop for 10 days which I am pretty sure is illegal

Hello again, jj:

In my city, they can't begin work before 9, and have to stop before it gets dark... I'm sure they're going to obey all laws. It wouldn't behoove them to be lawbreakers, now would it?

Again, wait until you find out they're NOT being a good neighbor, and then let us know. At this point, it's all speculation.

excon

Personally, I think you're working yourself up over something that really doesn't concern you. You're worried about your lawn, your property, your cars, your pets, your kids and how you're going to get money for it. What would you like us to view that as? If your concern was for anything other than monetary gain, you wouldn't have even bothered posting this question to begin with.

I don't understand how you could say that it doesn't concern me because this is my home this is what I worked my butt off to build for me and my family and it is going to be affecting [U]us[U] I don't even know the neighbors because the house is empty. And I really don't appreciate you making me out to look like a money hungry bad person. It only makes you look bad.

Hey I actually have experience with this. They redid a house in my cousins neighborhood a few years ago. They said the production company was great. They even fixed things on the neighbors house so it would look better for TV. My cousin was so upset when they were finished because like Ex said they feed them gave them money if they filmed their house or used their yard. I think you are going to have a great experience with this.

I look bad because you're looking to get comped for something that hasn't happened yet? Okay...

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me spitvenom

No you look bad for trying to make me look bad when all I am asking for is advice and insight as to what will happen during the time they are here.

all i am asking for is advice and insight as to what will happen during the time they are here

No no, you didn't say, "What will happen when they show up?" You said, "Is there any way to get compensation..." You're not worried about the trouble; you're worried about getting paid.

As in them DESTROYING my property??

JJB, I don't blame you for being worried about it, but I agree with Excon: wait until they actually DO something before you get upset. You may be pleasantly surprised by how un-intrusive it really is, or how well the company treats you.

HOWEVER--to those of you thinking that it's just a handout--SHAME ON YOU! Obviously, that's the way YOU think if you're projecting that thinking on someone else.

I live in an apartment building where there has been construction going on for a Performing Arts Center for the last year. It's been HELL. Anyone who has lived near constant construction for any length of time SHOULD understand these concerns!

Besides--JJB hasn't lost her house because she bought one that was more than she could afford and couldn't make the payments with the economy crash. She's got a job, and kids, and supports herself. She sounds like a responsible homeowner to me, one who is trying to find out the impact of a MAJOR distraction in her neighborhood in the near future.

As a person that is saving my A$$ off to even be able to buy a house---I don't exactly feel too badly for some of the people that get those extreme makeovers. While sometimes these people are in dire straits because of something horrible happening TO them (disease, natural disaster, accident, whatever), more often it's because they have too many kids, or someone lost their job, or because they bought a house they couldn't handle to begin with.

NO sympathy for the latter people. I don't care HOW much we're supposed to help our neighbors, I only help people who are willing to take responsibility for their actions in the first place.

JJB, I don't blame you for being worried about it, but I agree with excon: wait until they actually DO something before you get upset.

This is exactly what I put in my first post. OP continued on to tell me I'm making myself "look bad" because she's asking about money when NOTHING happened yet.

Thank you synnen:)

This is an advice board, not a message board. Please stop treating it like a message board. You asked the question. What other people would or would not do is meaningless on the legal threads. Please stop confronting people who are trying to help you, whether you see it that way or not.

Simple answer - you cannot be compensated in advance for damages. If they violate local laws, report them. Contact them now and ask what they plan to do and how they plan to do it.

You said you are looking to be compensated for your trouble - I don't see it happening. Wjy can't you park in your own driveway, let your kids go outside and so forth during the process?

I am glad that your financial picture improved so drastically - https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/small-claims/9-months-pregnant-being-sued-desperate-223561.html#post1081569

Yes, actually I do have children. 3 of them, to be exact.

Who said your children can't go outside? Who said your property was going to get destroyed? Who said the builders were going to be working 24/7? Nobody, but here you are asking about compensation.

Again, wait and see. IF something happens, document it. But as others have pointed out, it doesn't look very good that you're already asking how to get paid when nothing has happened yet:

Apparently this OP has a bad case of "I want to get rich, rich, rich regardless". That's why I told her to approach the production company people before they start. More than likely they've run into people like her before and have a standard answer ready for her inquiry.

Again, wait until you find out they're NOT being a good neighbor, and then let us know. At this point, it's all speculation.

wait until they actually DO something before you get upset. You may be pleasantly surprised by how un-intrusive it really is, or how well the company treats you.

My car could be damaged in the process of demolition and my children cannot go outside during this because the could get hurt by debris flying and harmful fumes in the air and so forth and I was not "confronting" them I was simply saying that she was not understanding my question right.

Thank you all for your insight on my question and I appreciate the help. I will wait and see what happens and let you all know when it does.

My car could be damaged in the process of demolition and my children cannot go outside during this because the could get hurt by debris flying and harmful fumes in the air and so forth and i was not "confronting" them i was simply saying that she was not understanding my question right.

... are you kidding me? Your car could be damaged? Where exactly are you going to be parking it? Certainly not your driveway... at least, by your own account:

Is there any way to get compensation for...not being able to park our cars in our own driveway...
And flying debris? Harmful fumes? Where are you getting this information from?

Also, I think it's fishy that just last summer, you were posting about how you were getting sued:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/small-claims/9-months-pregnant-being-sued-desperate-223561.html
And now you're posting about how to get money.

>Thread Closed<
Due to serious inconsistencies.

Yes, first they will not step one foot on your property without asking and/or paying you for it. They will be wonderful to work for, I would bet, they will have a bus or golf cart to take you to your home if the street really is closed, but I would bet you can still get to your home, it will just be closed to public traffic.

And you are getting a big, very big benefit, your home value will jump up greatly, from a old condemned home next door to a home that is not only nice but will be somewhat famous.

I would think you would be jumping for joy