Scaffolding neighbour

[Victoriouslyvictorious]

My neighbour wants scaffolding up in my garden, so he can have solar panels fitted. He asked me yesterday and caught unawares I said yes. I feel really stressed currently. My DH died recently and I’m on my own. Everything feels a slog for me. The thought of the noise, men in my garden, blocking my garden exit and just the inconvenience is making me worry.

I feel like saying I’ve changed my mind. WWYD?

I'm so sorry for your loss OP. Everything must seem so raw and overwhelming right now and I bet you could do without this added pressure.

If it were me I would speak again to your neighbour and voice your concerns. Find out more about how long the scaffolding will be up, how long it will take to construct and dismantle and where exactly it will be.
Once you know the details perhaps it won't seem such a problem or you can ask him to delay or perhaps find alternatives that will make your life easier and quieter.

I would talk to him and just say that he caught you off guard, and having had time to think about it, you are not comfortable with it. Do it soon, so that nothing has yet been sorted out by him, and if he has told the supplier , it's quick enough to allow him to revise the plan

At the very least, get him to sign an agreement that the scaffolding will be taken down by such and such date.
I'm sorry for your loss, it's difficult to find the energy for these things when you're grieving

Thanks for your replies. I’m going to ask if there’s another way of accessing his house, other than in my garden.

I understand you are overwhelmed but they will be able to construct the scaffolding so you can still use your exit. And an “excuse me I need to get out” will move any people in your way.

Upsetting your neighbours could be even more inconvenient in the long run.

I won’t be able to take any of my wheelie bins out. The gap is only just wide enough as it is.

I think it’s reasonable to ask if there’s another way of accessing his house that doesn’t involve my garden. I know by law you have to allow access to your property, if it’s essential repairs but solar panels are not essential.

It is reasonable to ask but be prepared for them to say there isn’t another way.

Consider how you would feel if you needed them to help you with something and they refused to allow a small consideration.

Sometimes it there is a short term inconvenience for long term benefits.

I feel vulnerable on my own. It’s good to be able to ask WWYD?

Sometimes it there is a short term inconvenience for long term benefits

Might not be short term though. Many scaffolders won’t take scaffolding down until there is another job to take that particular scaffolding to. It’s pretty common. I’m guessing they are CF’ers that don’t have/won’t pay for storage for it and that’s how they solve it. Know many people who have been stuck with it some time after jobs are finished.

Say no. You are within your rights to change you mind, especially when caught on the hop. Scaffolders are the pits. They do what they like, where they like whatever you may have agreed. Anyone who wants work done on their house that needs scaffolding needs to have it on their own land. It won't just be scaffolding in your garden, it'll be materials, the installers, etc.

The problem with scaffolding is sometimes if its not needed elsewhere, it seems to stay up for weeks when the initial work is completed. Id just get the details firstly before committing

This 100% The neighbours behind me are in a battle with the other neighbours for damage caused to their drive when they had scaffolders in to do their roof/side extension. The scaffolders are refusing to do anything/pay and the neighbour is saying it’s the scaffolders responsibility so the neighbour is refusing to pay until it’s sorted. The scaffolders are refusing to remove their scaffolds until they’re paid. I’m really glad it doesn’t affect us as it’s been deeply unpleasant and lots of nastiness on social media.

Thanks everyone, lots to consider here.

You can say no.

And an “excuse me I need to get out” will move any people in your way.
🤣
Yes OP what are you worrying about, they're literally going to pay someone to stand within earshot of your blocked access so they can unblock it for you whenever you need them to.
🙄
Seriously are some posters on glue?!
I'd be concerned about this too in your shoes OP and think it needs careful consideration of the pros and cons. Given how they manage to do these sort of jobs to the middle houses of long rows of terraces in central London, however, I think they're asking for access from your house as more of a convenience than a necessity.

I'm sorry for your loss OP. If they have no other option I'd allow it, so long as there is a very clear understanding of how long the scaffolding will be there for. When we had solar panels the scaffolding was up and down within 3 days.

There is no need for scoffolders to have anything standing in your property. Google cantilever scaffolding.

Definitely get them to sign to ensure the scaffolding will be down by x date. We had some put up in a 6 month rental we had. It was up for 3 months of the 6 months we rented, meaning we couldn’t keep windows open. The work it was up for only took 2 days!

Which will be more expensive for the neighbours, but frankly it's them wanting the bloody work doing.

Then for me this would be a no. They can set up scaffolding to the front of his property or the rear of it and access the roof that way.

Also scaffold company abutted their poles against a friend's house without using rubber stoppers and damaged the brickwork

Thanks for the advice. I’ve told next door to find a different way to access his house. He says he understands and will see if there is a different way.

I’m going to stand firm on this. It’s the wheelie bins that are forcing my decision. Especially if the scaffolding isn’t removed promptly.

I would help my neighbour out if I could. I would just get it in writing - the time it will take, when it’ll be removed etc.

I’d let it go unless you can suggest an alternative that would work better for you. I would want to know when they were coming to put it up and take it down again though. Sorry for your loss.

I totally agree with you if that’s the case. That’s completely unreasonable- what do they expect you to do?!!