access to garden

[TeteMK]

Workers require access to my garden to dig and replace a pipe as my neighbours garden is getting flooded and drainage maybe blocked. They have been here before for a few days and now wany access and are offering £150 vocher. Is this sufficient. They need access for a few days

I would let them in, as a decency towards your neighbours.

Is there likely to be damage to your garden?

I would photograph your garden before works start and insist on it being returned to that condition.
Any precious plants I would dig up and put in pots yourself. The workers will not care.
A voucher seems a poor deal. I would want hard cash.

You might tell I was once on the wrong end of a similar situation!

Sufficient? I’d say it’s very generous.
Personally I wouldn’t expect anything. I’d happily help someone out to prevent ongoing issues on their property PROVIDING I was guaranteed that my property was put back exactly as it was before.
Why are you thinking a bonus £150 might not be enough?

I am asking because they have been in the garden before and did not leave it the way they met it. They promised it was fixed but they are here again asking for about 2 weeks access to carry out work

You need a written agreement which states the responsibilities. A voucher is a joke frankly. The problem is that even with a written agreement you will still have a hell of a job chasing them to “make good” if they leave a mess based on previous experience.

What do your neighbours have to say about all this? What did they do to help remediate the damage left on the previous occasion? You can say “no”.

They will be able to do untold damage in two weeks. Not only the actual work ( excavating a trench?) but stomping about in their big boots, using and storing machinery, noise, making your garden unusable to you (nowhere to hang your washing or have a quiet coffee), scared pets....

I would say no, especially as you know they already have form.

If they left a mess last time I would say to your neighbour they can have access but only if they use a different company, and you want a written guarantee to return to previous state.
If you cannot use your garden whilst works are happening then I'd say that's what the £150 is for. Whether that's enough depends on how much you plan to use your garden for the next two weeks.

This. Also a voucher for what? Why a voucher and not the cash which you can then spend as you wish?

If the voucher is for their services or a sister company its very cheap to supply. Vouchers are never worth as much as hard cash.

It won't really be "a few days"

Offer them access for ten pounds* per day or part thereof, starting when they first put materials or equipment in your garden, and ending when everything has been removed and reinstated to your satisfaction.

Get it in writing signed by a director of the company (not a workman or subcontractor)

They won't like it because they hope to take as long as they like, leaving your garden a wreck for months, and waltzing off leaving it covered in mud and rubble.

*or more. Cash only, no vouchers, magic beans or cowrie shells.