To expect neighbours fencers to not ruin plants on my side of the fence?

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

Neighbour is having his fence replaced next week, and I asked today how it will be done - saying I was concerned that my newly bought and planted bushes should not be damaged. All friendly, I get on well with neighbour. I was therefore a bit taken aback that he said he couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't damage my plants but he'd tell them to be careful.

AIBU to think he should guarantee it actually?

I will be in when the work is done and will speak directly to the fencers, but really the person employing them should TVs making sure they definitely won't damage stuff on my side - no?

Well he can't guarantee it beyond all possibility if he's not doing it himself can he. He does need to tell them to be careful and make good any damage if there is any.
What are they doing? Replacing panels or posts?

I don't see how he could 'guarantee' it. I'm sure the fencers will be careful and do their best to leave your plants undamaged.

You can ask, but I would dig them up carefully, if you can, and put to one side to re-plant when they’ve finished.

I had just planted lots of lily of the valley pips and other stuff when the neighbour announced they were doing the fence. So much mess that it looked like they had been stamping about in hob-nailed boots on my side, and in the spring not one lily of the valley plant, or anything else I had put in, appeared.

No one is going to give you that guarantee because you could be one of those people who is going to kick up a fuss if one single leaf is dislodged

Fencers know what they are doing and tend to be respectful etc - they aren't going to hack back your bushes? Even if they do need to do anything it will grow back?!

If this a shared boundary and it's not noted who takes ownership of it I'd be keeping quiet since technically you are liable for half the cost of the fencing

My experience of any builders is that they cannot see plants. Whether it's an acquired characteristic, or whether people who are born without the ability to see plants go into the building/fencing trade, I don't know

When I had my fence done, I cut back severely (had to, to provide access), tied each bush and climber together into a tight bundle, then surrounded each bundle with red an white marker tape fastened to canes. That worked.

Fair enough - he can't absolutely guarantee. Clearly marking the precious plants and putting mini temporary fences around them is probably the best idea. I really don't want to dig up plants that were only planted a few weeks ago, just as they are establishing their roots in their new position - I'm not sure they'd survive and they are berry bushes which currently look like nothing but are tied into wires on a frame to start training them. It is written in the deeds who is responsible for fencing each boundary - this one isn't mine.

Take reasonable precautions as per pps and plenty of photographic eveidence just in case they wreak havoc and you end up in small claims.