“A developer bought the house next door and is planning a BIG renovation”

“Dear PoPville,

A developer bought the house next door and is planning a BIG renovation and I would love to get the ‘ville’s advice on what to expect from anyone who may have lived through this level of construction. They are taking your basic 15-foot wide, two-story Columbia Heights rowhouse and expanding up one floor, down 6 ft, and back 10ft (Going from 3 bed 1 bath to 11 bed 6 bath).

I have so many questions. I’m braced for the non-stop noise from living through a major remodel on the other side of me, but what suggestions do people have to safeguard my own house? Do I just take lots of pictures and hope they pay for damages? Do I hire my own experts to ensure their foundation plans are sufficient (the “foundation” is just brick on dirt)? Do I need to notify my own insurance company? Is there any way to have the city ensure this isn’t going to become a mini hotel/air b&b? Can they be required to get supplemental trash service because our itty bitty trash cans won’t be up to this task of a large boarding house? etc.?

Thanks for any insights!”