You remember our fence issues? Well, after pricing it out and having 5-6 companies give us estimates, we found a company. They weren't the cheapest nor the most expensive, but they seemed the most professional and thorough. We decided to get the rot board on the bottom and have them stain it, so for our 130' of fencing it's going to cost us $3969 total. Not a small chunk of change. Plus, half has to be paid up front when they start and the other half has to be paid upon completion. So, it's not like we're financing this or anything.
One of the two sections we're replacing is totally ours since it's the front of our house facing the street.
Originally I thought the other section of the fence was totally our neighbor's responsibility. I figured that whatever side the posts were signified ownership of the fence. I was wrong and found out that it is legally a shared fence. I know this because the last time we had fence issues and received a letter from our HOA, I double checked legal responsibility. It was discovered that it was a shared fence, so they then sent her the same letter they sent us. After she got the letter saying the fence needed fixing, she came over and went off on this rampage about how it's not her fence and she'd had fence problems in her back yard and the people sharing the fence wouldn't help and blah, blah, blah. I tried to be really nice and non-defensive. By the time she left she had diffused a little bit and later when Matt was fixing the fence, she came out to see if he needed any help. Finally, I thought we were on the same page (or at least close to it) about the legality of the shared fence.
Before we got the fence replaced this time, I thought it would be best to run it by her, especialy since we'll be staining it. Anyway, I tried going over and chatting with her, but no one was home. So I made a copy of the estimate invoice and wrote a little note on the back. I explained we were getting the fence replaced and that it was a little more expensive than we expected. I let her know that the shared fence portion was costing us $1736. I tried to keep it from sounding like we expected them to pay half for that section, but that anything that they could contribute would be greatly appreciated. I gave her my number and said if she had any questions or concerns to either call or come by.
Tonight while I was out, Matt received a nasty call from her. She went through the same things she did the last time, claiming it wasn't her fence because of the positioning of her house, so she shouldn't be responsible for anything. Matt explained that according to the platt that it was legally a shared fence. He said that we can't force her to pay anything, but that seeing as though it was a shared fence and bordered her yard, it would be nice if she could help with something. She was defensive and belligerant until they hung up. So no help there. Honestly, we wouldn't have blinked an eye if she called and said, "You know, I really wish I could help you out, but I'm really strapped right now." But her tone and quarrelsome nature make it so much more annoying. Especially since we've been through this before with her.
The funny thing is, she was soooo mad about her back door neighbor not helping when their shared fence needed to be fixed. Um, hello lady. Don't you see you're doing the same exact thing?
6 comments:
I concur: some people just have issues. In situations like this I wish so badly I could know what the people are thinking. Seriously, they don't feel the least bit responsible? And really, they don't feel guilty for letting you pay for the whole thing?
What a pain. Fences are so expensive, and I think it's lame that people get "free" fences when their neighbors foot the cost.
Seriously? That's awful! I too, thought that you were on the same page! Some people.... (Sometimes I wish you could interview your neighbors before you purchase a house!)
you're a good person celia. you did the right thing and are a great example. now heres to getting a new, RICH, neighbor soon! :)
If it's any comfort, we are going to have fence issues too soon. None of our neighbors have fences or want fences. They love the open shared space and love being a big, happy family. But with Boston's vision problems our choices are to be by him every second he's outside or to put up a fence next year when he's two. And we have to go to church with all of our neighbors, even when they are mad at us! I am dreading the day that we have to break the news to them.....
And $4K is a pretty big pill to swallow. so sorry. hopefully it will not get blown away in the next storm, but hopefully the companies out there plan for that and have good replacement guarantees.
Surely they wouldn't be mad at you if you told them the reason??? I mean, they'd have to do the same thing if they had a child with impaired vision.
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