To not want to pay my neighbour this much....

[ss2011]

Hiya
Could really with some advice on this. Two and a half years ago we had a really bad leak in my daughters room, which turned out to be holes in our guttering. This was really old style Victorian guttering, set back into the roof and joined on to our neighbours’ guttering (we are a semi). None of the rooferswe asked would touch trying to repair such old guttering and all said it needed to be replaced. We asked the neighbours if they wanted to replace the whole lot...theirs as well...but they didn’t so we had to just do our half and break and block the join with theirs. unfortunately our roofers messed that up, left a hole and they got a leak. We got our roofers back straight away to fix it and said we would pay for the damage. This was 2 and a half years ago. We then heard nothing for ages.
In May 2017 I got a text from my neighbour saying they were now doing the repairs and would send us a quote. They said they were getting 3 quotes and would send them to us before deciding who to go with, so could look at and agree the prices. I chased this a few times but they never sent the quotes. In the meantime they were having lots of building work done, so I think this just slipped off their priority list.
But now , all this time afterwards, we suddenly have a bill from them and it’s massive..........over a grand. This is for patch up inside, replacing a picture rail (don’t understand that bit) and replastering he whole of the affected wall. They got their builders to do it but to itemise a separate bill and it’s just a bit crazy....it’s even charging for duct tape and plastic bags to clear rubbish away (£68 for that). We had to have our leak repaired and it did not cost anywhere near this. Because it’s so long after the event we can’t go back to the original roofer and claim any money now so it’s all on us.
Given that it’s been so long, and we had no chance to see any quotes and the costs look so high , do you think we should just pay the whole thing or whether IABU to just offer to half or two thirds? We do like our neighbours, and don’t want a fued with them....but don’t think they are being very fair and it’s so much money!
If you managed to get to the end of this post, what do you think?

Based on no professional training but gut feeling, they should tell their insurance company who will chase yours and a big premium increase will show you how unfair you're being. You don't dispute the cause.

You told them you would pay for the damage and are now trying to wriggle out of it.

@Snowysky20009 Perhaps you would care to elaborate?

You told them you would pay for the damage and are now trying to wriggle out of it.

2.5 years ago & now the neighbours are trying to get her to redecorate the whole room......

Challenge it OP, pass them on to the Company that did the work & leave them to it.

And get some "real life" advice rather than listening to us numpties....

Imagine if you'd moved away, what would they have done!
They need to claim it on their insurance now. That is what it is for.

Same with the roofer - he may have died or retired, moved etc and have no details

Did the roofer leave his insurance details with you?

I have asked them for their original three quotes (which they promised us at the time) and if they provide these back up the bill then we will pay it in full. Otherwise I think we will make them an offer for what we think is fair.... thanks everyone.

Have you already said to them you'll pay if they provide the quotes? If not, forward them on to the roofer as he's the one they're saying caused the damage, not you! You can be sympathetic, but a grand is an awful lot to pay for neighbourly relations particularly for something you didn't even do!

Roofers should have insurance and pretty certain its them that's liable. Id pass on the roofers details for neighbour to contact

The leak was because it's almost impossible to join new guttering to old reliably so it leaked- more fool them for not getting it done.

You asked them to get quotes, presumably so you could decide whether to claim on insurance. They didn't, so you aren't under any obligation to pay. But for goodwill and because you said you would, you should make a contribution. Over £1000 with no quotes beforehand is bonkers though.

"Gosh £1000 is more than I was expecting. I'll pass the invoice along to the roofers along with your contact details. You'll need to deal directly with them."