Fences making good neighbors rant.

[Moabite]

My wife and I have been remodeling this place for about three years now, and it is going very slow at this point because the improvement loan wasn't enough to finish. My next door neighbor and our properties have been separated by a very ratty 2 1/2 ft tall chain link fence. He is a Finish Carpenter and is respected well for his work so he told me last winter he wanted to build a nice privacy fence between our yards. Having a decent fence on that side of the house was on my wish list, but with things not finished inside the house like unfinished drywall and no closet in our bedroom or the leaky carport and tool shed, I could hardly justify a fence but being he wanted to build it, and it would be his fence, I was all for it. He told me he had "big plans" to make a "furniture grade" fence. I said I would do what I could to help pay for it but that it was going to be his fence and on his property but he did design it so that it looks the same on both sides. We helped with some of the work and gave him about $700 to help out. He came over the other day to tell us that he is miffed about us not paying more because he still owes money on the materials. It would be nice to keep this neighbor happy but things are tight right now. I feel that paying 1/3 the cost is fair. The fence turned out very nice and cost just under $30 a foot in materials for a total of $3200. Am I being reasonable? Is he?

 

[sheila3935]

I say if you didnt agree to pay anything in the first place you have paid enough. Like you said its his fence. I think he went overboard and now doesnt want to have to foot the rest of the bill. Thats his problem. But at the same time might make for nasty neighbors. You are in a rock and a hard place. Which ever you do it wont be in your best interest Im afraid

 

[denim deb]

His fence, his property, his problem. He should be glad you gave him anything at all. You were not required to.

 

[Ed62]

You told him you'd do whatever you could to help. Sounds to me like you did your share.

Ed

 

[mgw]

Neighbors suck!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Some states require neighbors to split the cost of a fence - some do not.


If it was me, I would not pay any more, but that is me.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Am I being reasonable?

Yes

Is he?

NO​

 

[UrbanChick101]

We just put up about 80 foot of privacy fence and didn't ask our neighbor for anything, we too had a ratty type short chain link up between our yards, that we tore out. We didn't even bother telling the neighbor, as it was ours on our property. Don't know about state laws and such, but we didn't ask for any money or for the neighbor to lift a finger. I guess we felt, we wanted it, so we had to pay for it. A couple years ago, my husband helped the neighbor at the back of our yard put up a 4ft. chain link, and they never asked for any money, they appreciated the help that my husband offered. Hope you can get this worked out. It isn't any fun having a neighbor hardship, especially if there is not a planned move in the near future. I say you aren't responsible, you didn't even have to help that was being generous. I can't believe that you gave him money!! Wish you were our neighbor!!

 

[redhen]

Never heard of paying for my neighbors fence.. espically if its on his property and he has all rights to it...
If he sells his property.. will the new neighbors care that you paid money on that fence? Highly unlikely... they'll do what they want with it...and you'll have no say at all..
If he sells his property.. will he write it in the sale contract (or whatever..) that you have partial rights to that fence?? Highly unlikely...

Matter of fact.. i think you got screwed by paying ANY money on that fence at all...

 

[Catstar68]

Quote:
You've been more than fair. It sounds like this was his project, he wanted something expensive. Did he ever ask your opinion on design or ever give you an estimate on cost? I think you have been more than generous with what you have done so far, though I think it was not your responsibility but, you are a good neighbor. I'd explain the situation politely and tell him you and your family did what you could and you simply cannot afford anything else.