I can't believe how boring my chat is...
I need your advice.
OH and I own our house. It is a row of houses, the front doors of every two houses are right next to each other, and they have a little fence to separate the 2 separate paths ( which are right next to each other, iykwim).
We are in the process of trying to put the house on the market. There are a few DIY jobs needing done first, including the replacing the fence that separates the two paths/gardens. Currently, it is a mixture of wooden posts and plastic poles, propping up green wire like fencing, about a metre high. It is just about blown over, the wire is rusting, and much of it is broken, which is now dangerous for my toddler.
It should have been replaced a while ago, but, we have just never got round to it.
My neighbour further up the street recently got a new fence, and I asked the joiner to quote for ours. £600. I done some shopping around, and have found a few people who say they would do something for around £200. Theese guys are more garden repair men, whereas the first chap was a joiner, so I guess that's the difference.
The house next door to us is rented out. I have the landlords number, and know him from when he stayed there. I called him last night to explain all of the above. He asked if I was expecting him to contribute and I said "the fence is right down the middle, and it's something we have both spoken about needing replaced, so it would be great if you would be willing to contribute. However, of you aren't willing, it is fine, it is now dangerous for my little girl, and It needs done, so I can just cover it." I also explained how his tenants had pointed out nails sticking out on their side, to which the landlord said to me" oh, of course it would be on my side".
He was really awkward, asking about the types of materials that would be used ( I explained that it would be intermittent wooden posts, with wire mesh, 1m high, no taller than what was already there, any something the wind can blow through as solid fences just blow over where we stay). Basically, a much studier and nicer looking version of what is currently there. He said he wouldn't be willing to pay any money until he has seen the materials being used.
I explained again what the materials would be, but he wasn't happy. He then got quite aggressive, saying that I couldn't make any decision until he had approved the materials as it was his path too. I said iwould contact the joiner and see if he had photos of what he intends to use.
I explained that as we are trying to sell the house, the new fence would be 10 times nicer than the awful state it is in just now, and will last, and that we would pay for it. I just don't see what the problem is?
The guy is meant to come next Wednesday to install it. WIBU to just go ahead - its my garden, my land. If someone was to offer me the same offer, I would snap it up.