Neighbour issues - hedge problems!

[ijustdontknowanymore]

I apologise in advance for what will probably be the most boring post of all time! Soo, long story short ..... Moved into our new house around 6 months ago, next door neighbours are very friendly and welcoming, and will often stop to chat over the fence etc. We hear a lot about the older gentleman who owned the house before us, and how the garden used to be immaculate and the pride of the street etc. To start with this was fine, but eventually it seemed that every time we spoke the fact that the garden used to be so wonderful was brought up, and by implication was no longer up to standard. I'm not a keen gardener by any means, but it's been kept (relatively) tidy, grass mown, occasionally weeds pulled, patio brushed etc, since we moved in. We're renovating so everything inside the house is very much the priority at the moment but the outside is fine by most standards.

So, the crux of the issue. At the bottom of our garden is a conifer hedge, which had grown to well over 8 feet by the time we'd moved in. I arranged for someone to come and cut it, and while it wasn't a pristine job, it was far better with 3ft off the height. The next door neighbour's gardener had also quoted for the work, and was over £200 more expensive which I really couldn't afford.

Following the hedge cut, NDN complained every time I was in the garden about what an 'awful' job had been done, how it was a real bodge, etc. He caught me off guard one day and asked if I wanted his gardener to sort it out - I was rushing and non-committedly said 'yes,maybe'. So she comes over that day and says it will take around four hours at £15 an hour, which I agreed to thinking it would help neighbourly relations given that NDN is obviously quite put out by the newly trimmed hedge. (I really didn't think it was that bad, nor did my keen gardener parents). Fast forward to today and she comes over with an invoice for £190!!! Saying it took much longer than expected to rectify the previous hedge cutter's shoddy work! I was away when the work was carried out so can't verify how long it took, but basically feel like I've been shafted. I wouldn't mind an extra couple of hours but feel this is extortionate, but am also in a catch 22 because I don't want to sour relations with the NDNs by disputing it. So more of a WWYD really? Pay or say it's unreasonable?

[Humidseptember]

Just tell her you authorised four hours work at £15 per hour. She needed to get the go ahead from you to undertake another 8+ hours work and charge an additional £130

Thread has probably moved on and you have paid but this ^^ keep it simple, very simple,

This ^^

[mysistersimone]

Anything yet? I'd love to know OP

[MiddleClassProblem]

Just realised I posted on the wrong thread

Fail

[Chopstick17]

Is the hedge bordering your NDN's garden? If it is then surely you split the cost. If it's not part of their garden I don't see it's any of their business. Did you specify how many hours work you wanted done on the hedge? Doesn't sound like a formal agreement and as you weren't there how can you verify that the gardener actually took that time? We have NDN'S that have nothing better to do also. they mysteriously appear when we are in the garden. Their's is clipped and totally flowerless and boring uno. They work on it then go inside and lock the door, NEVER sit in it and enjoy it. Ours is more cottage garden style, we maintain it and use it . Otherwise what's the point? You have my sympathy OP.

[Radiatorvalves]

Well done OP.

I had a dispute with someone who billed us £600. We had a survey done which should have needed 3 visits to the house. After one visit (for complicated reasons I don't want to go into), it was clear that we'd have to get another surveyor involved.

I offered to pay £200. They demanded all of it. I refused (was waiting to see if a complaint they made re our second surveyor would be upheld). A year down the line I haven't paid anything. They might come back....but it yet.

Let us have an update!

[DontOpenDeadInside]

Has the cheque been cashed? (no idea how long cheques take)

[MiddleClassProblem]

They should have recorded it by now so maybe they know pushing their luck isn't worth going back for more? Or maybe writing back?

[Hissy]

I'm guessing you won't hear back at all.

If I were you I'd prepare myself to go and pay ndn a visit and say to him that the next time he wants something doing he had better pay for it himself that you don't like being conned by him or his cohorts.

[ijustdontknowanymore]

Not yet folks, will keep you posted!

[HazelBite]

Any news/reaction OP?

[LadyGardener2]

Did you send the letter OP? Any word back?

[PterodactylToenails]

No, I wouldn't pay it. I would also put up a large fence to stop the nosey neighbour talking to me.

[Laiste]

Well done OP :) Hope that's the end of it. Keep us posted x

I want to stand up for the poster queenliz and her flaming hot post.

Sometimes - in amongst more ... gentle advice - a damn good telling it straight is what you need. I've been guilty of being similar to the OP in this situation, and at times got twisted in knots over something. DH would be gentle (or want to sort it for me), wider family and friends would be gentle. BUT a certain great friend of mine is always able to cut to the chase and say 'man the fuck up and deal with it Laiste. Don't be a bloody pushover'.

And you know what? It's her advice which always rings in my ears when i need to be assertive day to day.

[Dontyouopenthattrapdoor]

Please don't do this. Please.

I know you'll find it hard and stressful for the next few days but long term you will feel SO much better about yourself if you stand up to them.

Pay £60, for the work you agreed to.

[NoSquirrels]

Well done, OP. Don't take any moaning from them either. The gardener needs to learn important business lessons about quoting & getting extra work authorised.

IMissGrannyW: YMMV = your mileage may vary i.e. you may not wish to go as far/further.

[LadyConstanceDeCoverlet]

The gardener really can't claim to be entitled to charge more because of some work at the back of the hedge. If she thought work at the back might be needed, she should have checked beforehand and included it in her estimate. It sounds like it may well have been the neighbours who insisted she tidy it from their side, but if so, she should have checked with you first rather than complying with their demands and expecting you to pay,

[MintyChops]

Well done OP, you rock!!

[HarryPottersMagicWand]

Well done you!

They are total pisstakers. I would have been reluctant to question the gardener in person too as I hate confrontation. So glad you are only paying the £60. DON'T let them try and bully you for the rest. Tell them the matter is done and you want them to leave you the fuck alone from now on.

[wowfudge]

OP - great that you've done that. Watch out for the cheque being paid in by the gardener. If it is then that is tantamount to acceptance of the £60. It may be sent back to you. Even if it is this person doesn't have a leg to stand on.

[MoonfaceAndSilky]

Yay, well done

[MiddleClassProblem]

Brilliant OP!

[Rachel0Greep]

Well done. Now stand firm. Just picture the two of then sniggering thinking they had got you to pay out just short of the £200.00 that was being demanded day one. This needed to be done, or who knows what future demands would be made. Keep reminding yourself that neighbour is probably well known for having their nose in other people's business (every street has one) and if you had given in on this, who knows what 'helpful' notions would be next.

Now enjoy your new home and to heck with the pair of them.

[AgathaF]

Brilliant!!!

Get that letter and cheque in the post first thing. I'm so glad you feel good for not giving in to them.

[PurpleWithRed]

I'm SO pleased you've done it and even more pleased you feel fantastic about it! You've stood up for fairness and honesty.