Should I pay half?

MJ5150 · #1 05-30-2009, 12:43 AM

My neighbor and I share about 80' of cedar fence. Nothing special, 6' tall dog ear fence, built in 1980 or so. I have wanted to replace it since we moved here in May of 1999. We tried a few times over the years to get it done, but neither of us had enough money at the same time. We haven't talked about it for three or four years now.

I hear a bunch of loud racket this morning on that side of my house, so I go outside to see what's going on and there is a bunch of guys tearing the old fence down. In a matter of hours it is gone and all the posts are set for the new fence.

My neighbor comes walking over shortly after the fence guys leave for the day and shows me a bill for just over $2,300 and asks me for half. I tell him heck no since we agreed that WE would do the work once we buy all the materials. He starts getting all tough with me, which is funny since he is an older Vietnam vet married to one of those domineering Korean women who run his life. He starts in with the "we agreed to go halves" speech about 10 times on me. We go back and forth for 30 minutes as I keep telling him I'll pay for half the materials if I were to buy them at Home Depot today. He calls me a bad word and walks away.

I totally feel obligated to pay for half the materials, but that is it. We never in the past talked about someone else doing the work, especially since I have a construction background and know a gang of framers who could come over and help me knock out the fence in a few hours, and all I need to do is provide BBQ and beer. At the same time, I don't want my neighbor being sore at me since he is a nice guy overall.

Should I give in and pay up about $1150, or hold my ground on the $350 or so for the materials?

-Mike

5StringBlues · #2 05-30-2009, 12:50 AM

He should have at least consulted you first.I'd give him $500-$600 and be done with it.

IMHO,YMMV,IHOP,ETC.

JulienJeff · #3 05-30-2009, 12:50 AM

maybe you should start telling him he will have to wait for the money and then pay in several times, or something like that. He can't come with a $1000 bill after 4 years and ask you to pay. He should have asked you before... he should have informed you that he intended to do the ence now.
I put new fences las year and me and my neighbours decided together. We went to several profeesional o compare the prices, the quality, etc.
For the rear fence, I'm not really goof friend with the neighbour. he wanted a 1,2 meter fence while I wanted somethinf higher (in order not to see his stupid face anymore). I put a 1,8 meter fence, not right on the border between our two gardens, but a few centimeters within my garden, and I didn't ask the neighboor to pay $1

warwick.hoy · #4 05-30-2009, 01:00 AM

I totally understand you wanting to keep the relationship cozy between your family and the neighbors...but the way I see it...you were never consulted and the fact that they hired a fencing contractor was above and beyond what you were willing to go in on.

If there was only a tentative verbal agreement and no written agreement...I'd tell the guy to go eff himself....the $350 isn't going to satisfy him and I don't think you owe him the $1150...so either way you're boned. If he was such a nice neighbor he wouldn't be calling you names. He could take you to small claims court, but if there is nothing written...he may not have a leg to stand on.

Honestly, I think there is more than meets the eye and the guys wife could be the instigator. I'd even go so far as to say that it may have been her that contacted the fencing contractors. Then it was her that pressured the husband to ask for half of a bill that you were never consulted on.

MJ5150 · #5 05-30-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I Honestly, I think there is more than meets the eye and the guys wife could be the instigator. I'd even go so far as to say that it may have been her that contacted the fencing contractors. Then it was her that pressured the husband to ask for half of a bill that you were never consulted on.

That was the same thing my wife and one of my buddies said to me. She is in some kind of Korean mafia racket, so I better watch my back.

I think I'm going to offer him $500. If he isn't grateful for that, then I will drop it back down to the original $350-400.

-Mike

whoatherechunk · #6 05-30-2009, 01:25 AM

I would of probably punched him. Good job on not doing that.

warwick.hoy · #7 05-30-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

That was the same thing my wife and one of my buddies said to me. She is in some kind of Korean mafia racket, so I better watch my back.

I think I'm going to offer him $500. If he isn't grateful for that, then I will drop it back down to the original $350-400.

-Mike

Seriously?...Yikes...

Offering him $500 sounds more than reasonable becuase when it boils down to it; you probably don't owe him anything. $500 is quite generous...above and beyond generous since you could act like none of the conversations concerning the fence ever took place.

If it's like a stockade fence...just tell your neighbors to put the pretty side facing them...then build your own fence behind it.

Is there anything for you to consult concerning property owner disputes eg. homeowner's association or neighborhood association?

MJ5150 · #8 05-30-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

I would of probably punched him. Good job on not doing that.

He is my dads age, the thought never crossed my mind. I was already feeling like I crossed the line by arguing with him. If I had $1,200 in my pocket, I probably would have apologized and gave it to him.

-Mike

MJ5150 · #9 05-30-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Seriously?...Yikes...

Is there anything for you to consult concerning property owner disputes eg. homeowner's association or neighborhood association?

Serious. He has told me about it in the past, but the details are sketchy as he talks about it like someone may be listening to us. I try to stay out of it when he brings it up. I thought he was yanking my chain, but I did some drywall work for one of his buddies a few years ago who also has a Korean wife and he told me the same thing about his wife being in some kind of mafia racket run by Koreans. Maybe it is some kind of inside joke for Vietnam vets with Korean wives? I dunno for sure, it seems serious to me.

We have a homeowners association, but they have not been contacted.

-Mike

MakiSupaStar · #10 05-30-2009, 01:52 AM

No pics, no Korean neighbor MILF.

Offer him a thousand bucks to keep the peace. Give a little more if they invite their hot college daughter over to the sunbathe topless in their backyard.

MJ5150 · #11 05-30-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

No pics, no Korean neighbor MILF.

Give a little more if they invite their hot college daughter over to the sunbathe topless in their backyard.

Sorry bro, no go on either. This lady is one of those wrinkly older Korean women who look kind of like a skeleton. If I posted a pic of this lady, it would only piss every one off.

No daughter either, just a son a few years older than me.

-Mike

warwick.hoy · #12 05-30-2009, 02:23 AM

I never thought that Asian women aged well (no offense Maki...or older Asian women). They just seem to get....jowly.

MakiSupaStar · #13 05-30-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I never thought that Asian women aged well (no offense Maki...or older Asian women). They just seem to get....jowly.

Wow. To each his own I guess. I think the complete opposite is true.

Mike. Well, with that all cleared up, then I am now on the offer him the choice between 500 bucks or sand pounding side of the proverbial fence.

Jazz Ad · #14 05-30-2009, 02:36 AM

You only have to pay for stuff you order. If you don't have your name and signature under the estimate, you owe him nothing.
Settling the debate is only a matter of good neighborhood.

JimB52 · #15 05-30-2009, 05:19 AM

Most fences have a 'good' side. If this one does, whose property is it facing?

Relic · #16 05-30-2009, 05:37 AM

I would just throw the guy however much you can spare then be done with it.

I would bet my bottom dollar that his wife is behind it all. It sounds like a typical domineering wife maneuver..

Mike N · #17 05-30-2009, 05:46 AM

Who's property is the fence on?

Is the Qintar part of the fence building crew?

Kenbuntu · #18 05-30-2009, 06:11 AM

There's Only one thing to do.

Build your own fence. So what, you'll loose 80 square feet (MAX) but that's a lot better than having to look at a fence that will piss you the hell off every time you look at it.

RustyAxe · #19 05-30-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Should I give in and pay up about $1150, or hold my ground on the $350 or so for the materials?
-Mike

Is being on good terms with the next door neighbor worth $350 to you? It would be to me. My fence is 18 inches on my side of the line ... just to avoid such issues.

Asa Samuel · #20 05-30-2009, 06:45 AM

If you feel obliged to pay half for the materials then go ahead, but really he went ahead without consulting you first so you shouldn't have to pay anything at all.

There's no way you should pay the whole $1150 but if you feel like you should then pay the $350.