Scaffolding on neighbours roof

[SuPerDoPer]

I think I already know the answer to this but need clarification.

I've lived here for only 3 months and I'm having solar panels fitted. The scaffolders came yesterday and the area that they need to reach is very narrow and right next to my neighbours garage extension. The neighbours weren't in to ask so I was very clear that the scaffolders shouldn't put anything on the roof next door or encroach on their property. Next thing I know the neighbour has returned home to see 3 blokes on his roof putting scaffolding on his roof and has come round here fuming. I said I'll tell them to take it down and work round it but he seemed more angry about not being warned than what they were actually doing. I apologised profusely and he went off in a grump.

Today I bought a nice box of posh biscuits and went round again to apologise and offer the biscuits. This time his wife answered and kept me on the doorstep for almost 10 minutes telling me how upset and distraught she was and how worried she was about the scaffolding damaging the lead on her roof. I said I'll call them and ask them to come back and remove it but she said no it's done now but wanted to keep telling me how awful the experience was.

I realise I am at fault here but apart from making sure my workmen dont cause any further upset is there anything else I can do? Would you be this upset and distraught if a neighbour put scaffolding on your property? I'm not sure if I would give it a second thought after the initial surprise.

Yes, I'd be furious. I'm sure they wouldn't be as quick to mend any damage they cause. They shouldn't be doing that.

I’d be bloody livid.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Work needs to get done. It happens

I would be furious but not with you as you were clearly trying to put it right and had told the scaffolders not to do it in the first place

I've voted YABU simply as I would feel the same way they do, and I'd be particularly put out that I wasn't asked first.

However you have said here that you told the workmen not to touch your neighbours property so from that standpoint I don't think that you personally have done anything wrong, but I do think I would feel the same way as your neighbours and I do think you need to get the scaffolders to come take it down ASAP and find another way to repair the roof.

Perhaps go round again as it's coming down and explain how angry you are with the company and that you specifically told them not to touch neighbours property and you understand how angry they feel.

Is there any reason you didn’t think to warn your neighbours you were going to have work done very close and possibly encroaching on their property?

I would be furious too. I would be extremely concerned about damage, not just from the scaffolding itself, but by things being dropped onto my property when the scaffolding was being used. I would also be concerned about security - will the scaffolding make it easier for people to access my property?

Also in my experience, scaffolding firms can take an awfully long time to remove scaffolding once work is completed.

You were very unreasonable not to warn your NDNs that this was happening.

Another one who'd be pissed off (and insisting they remove it - your neighbours are nicer than me!)

I hadn't really clicked where the scaffolding would be needed. It's for solar panels so obviously on the south facing side but I didn't think about that before they arrived. Plus there is a gap, just not a big one.

How long is it going to take? When I had solar panels done it was up and down within a day.

It's an emotional reaction not logical. If they've been warned, what would have changed? They'd still be worried about damage, but scaffolding would still be there right?

Posh bloody biscuits? The cheek of it.
You need to apologise profusely and keep pretending you knew nothing about it. And order them a proper huge hamper from fortnum and Masons. I’d be absolutely livid with you.

The concern is really if the builders didn't even bother seeking consent how comfortable would you feel that they treated your property with respect and didn't damage it?

@PigeonLittle

The concern is really if the builders didn't even bother seeking consent how comfortable would you feel that they treated your property with respect and didn't damage it?

This is true. I will have strong words with them when they come to remove it.

Yep, I'd be furious and would probably insist it got taken down. You should have checked and asked their permission beforehand. If I had warning, there'd be no issue but it's the intrusion with no permission requested that would bother me.

@womaninatightspot

How long is it going to take? When I had solar panels done it was up and down within a day.

They're due on Thursday. I'll bring very clear with them about not stepping on the next door garage.

We had a similar thing happen to us with new neighbours, and we were furious, but even worse, so upset that they seemed to think so little of us, and saw our property as an area they could make use of whenever it pleased. If you’re having some work done, and there is any chance it could affect a neighbour (even if it’s just dust, noise etc) then talk to them about it well in advance. They are almost sure to accept the inconvenience, one day they may need to do something that impacts you, but at least they will know you respect them and their property. I’m not surprised your neighbour wanted to keep telling you how awful the experience was. That said it sounds like you have done a lot to apologise and I hope you go on to have a good relationship with them.

@Cissyandflora

Posh bloody biscuits? The cheek of it. You need to apologise profusely and keep pretending you knew nothing about it. And order them a proper huge hamper from fortnum and Masons. I’d be absolutely livid with you.

That seems extreme - there’s no indication of any damage and OP had asked the scaffolders not to. She could have put a note through to let them know but she hasn’t done anything wrong herself.

You’ve done all you can imo OP and they’ll just have to get over it.

I'd feel the same way your neighbours do.

Given that the scaffolders ignored your one instruction to avoid their roof I would have very little faith that they care what you say or that they would put any damage right either quickly/without fuss or at all.

I'm another one who'd also be livid, and would find being offered a box of biscuits as an apology insulting!

I think giving them a box of biscuits, no matter how posh, was taking the piss a little. A £500 Amazon voucher or something might have been better, a gesture that really costs you something would show you were actually sorry.

Although you admit you're at fault in your OP the rest of what you say makes it sound like you're not actually that bothered about what you've done. The neighbour complained for ten minutes about how upset she was, but you dismiss her concerns and her feelings.

Fuming yes. Awful experience? Ffs!!

OP,
They have every reason to be furious.

You should be furious at the installers.

Insist they go around and apologise.

Only cowboys would do this.

Absolutely disgraceful.

If you don't want relations permanently soured, insist the the company apologise profusely.

I would be leaving a very poor review otherwise.

Watch their work carefully.

Only a cowboy outfit would do this.

@HumpreyDowny

It's an emotional reaction not logical. If they've been warned, what would have changed? They'd still be worried about damage, but scaffolding would still be there right?

If they ha been warned, they would probably have done what I would have done - made sure I was at home and the day, and made damn sure no-one trespassed on my property!

But shouldn't the neighbours give access for reasonable requests e.g.installing scaffolding for a day or two for solar panels? Don't know about legalities but if a neighbour asked I wouldn't say no to this, it sounds a bit petty and precious to take such a defensive approach.