Fence....

[Ireolu]

We had building work done. Started 3 weeks ago. Next door neighbour claims that our builders put something against her fence at the back (backs up on to a private road) and they broke one wooden plank in the panel.

Builder is not denying the damage. He told us all they would fix it. We haven't made final payment yet but he has not been very forthcoming about how he can fix this and has pretty much not appeared when he said he would to speak to neighbour. We have asked directly and he has not provided an answer. Skirts the issue buts says he will sort.

The panel with the broken wooden plank is on it's last legs really. Our builder thinks she is trying her luck for a new panel (these are £22 at Wickes).

He is clearly does not want to cover that. We hired him on the provision that he was insured for damage to property.

So it's more or a wwyd? Would you pay for the panel to be replaced? Pressure the builder to provide a fix or just leave it be (DH has been round and she inferred that this would be ok but you never know with people and as I said the panel is falling apart). We have a poor relationship with this neighbour but I want to do the right thing.

Your builder is liable for his actions whilst he is at work and will have public liability insurance. If your neighbour's property has been damaged then the builder needs to rectify it/ supply a claim form from his insurers so that your neighbours can claim for the repairs.

However, washing your hands of it might sour relations with your neighbours so you need to decide if it's worth getting into a feud over it.

Why not just deduct the £22 from his final payment and give him he receipt for panel so he can use it as an expense for tax.

Ask him if he'd prefer to make the repair within the next 14 days or deduct £22 from his bill to cover a new panel, because it needs dealing with one way or the other.

Send builder a notice that unless the damage is repaired by date X, you will make alternate arrangements and offset his payment by the cost to repair the damage. Hire a handyman or diy the panel yourself as it’s only £22 from wicked, then reduce final payment by the costs.

Thanks all. Good ideas. He has managed to rectify the other bits he did with the other neighbour. (They broke their brick wall at the front) but no idea why he is so reticent to sort her fence.

We have no relationship with her and doubt we ever will. Too much water under the bridge but I am not one for leaving damage to other people's property.

Thank you for the ideas we will write him an email today.