Bill from neighbours for tree damage

pleasedelete

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Well I think that's quite disgusting.

Why? If their staff usually work 9-5 but they are working 7-9 they are paying them more- ergo the job costs more. Would you rather they had no profit or even made a loss on the job?

becominganobsessivesaver

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Well I think that's quite disgusting.

That's how it works... Someone who is self-employed will charge more when demand is higher, as they probably can't fit all the jobs in, when it is quiet they can charge less. It's basic economics. If you think you need a new boiler get it fitted in august rather than january, you'll save a fortune, that's because most people can wait a couple of weeks over the summer, but need the heatingbin winter. Why on earth should a small business person charge the same???

Yorkie1

greenbee wrote: »

Whether you choose to contribute or not I think you need to make clear to them that you are not happy with the fact that they had the work done without either consulting your or even having the courtesy to inform you that they had made arrangements.

You should also point out that the wood belongs to you, as they were your trees, so either they need to return it to you (as they removed it from your property, they should move it back) or deduct the value (as specified by your tree surgeon) from the bill.

You need to be clear that in future, they should consult you if there is a problem with your property, or they need access to your property, unless it is an emergency and they are unable to contact you by normal means (such as knocking on the door/ringing the bell/calling you if they have a number).

Given the information which we now have from the OP on this thread, I agree with this post.

They cannot charge you over the odds without consultation, and then say they are keeping your wood for a family member. That is frankly taking the mick.

Wilma33

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Well I think that's quite disgusting.

Supply and demand.

Mojisola

betsie wrote: »

Hi
they are Betheran

The man speaks but only to discuss business issues.

My husband got up and dressed and went round (the neighbour was no where to be seen). He spoke to the tree bloke who was finishing up at this point (I would say they were there for about 1 hour). No property was damaged.

The neighbour later came round and said it was a family friend who had his own landscaping company and hence why he had come out so quick (he never mentioned any bills, costs etc and implied they had done it as a favour).

This happened on the Monday before Xmas on the saturday after xmas, I again heard chainsaws and he had tree guys lopping the remaining 4!!! (the ones that were removed were in the middle). He knocked about 15 minutes later to say he was having them lopped. I did question this as our tree man said the remaining trees would not be safe and should go (you can see the roots have been disturbed and one is split) and I told him this but he carried on.

Then today he comes round with the bill (nearly 3 weeks later).

Your neighbour will regard your views as being of no value - if he, as a man, had decided the trees were to be cut down, your opinion would not be considered as relevant. Their own women wouldn't dream of challenging a man's decision.

Ich_2

To give folk some idea, this is a Brethren meeting house.

longforgotten

If he accepts its your tree then it follows its your wood ! His tree man would know this so there is something fundamentally wrong here.


I'd write to him and say that the wood is yours but he can keep it as a goodwill gesture ( I presume you don't want it anyway ), pay the £300 towards his bill because that's how much your family friend would have charged , and say you consider that a fair conclusion to the matter.


Kindly remind him its his boundary and that you will not be contributing to the erection of the fence.


Then , hopefully the six foot fence will do the job and you will never, hold a conversation with him again. Hello, nice day, and a smile but no conversation. Move swiftly on

betsie

He always asks to speak to "my man" !!! He has obviously noted I do not wear a wedding ring and living in sin is a definite no no for brethren. He always carries a leather bound book when he knocks I am assuming it is some sort of prayer book and it is meant to save him from our evilness!!!

Mojisola

betsie wrote: »

He always asks to speak to "my man" !!! He has obviously noted I do not wear a wedding ring and living in sin is a definite no no for brethren. He always carries a leather bound book when he knocks I am assuming it is some sort of prayer book and it is meant to save him from our evilness!!!

Hence the 6ft fence. You are a danger to his family in his eyes.

eezer

If he continues to patronsie you with the 'my man' nonsense, I'd be tempted to get mischievous and ask him how his finely tuned christian moral compass justifies such blatant skullduggery. Or maybe even write to his vicar/priest/pastor pointing out that he is giving his religion a bad name.

At the very least I'd be telling him that 'my man' is not dealing with the matter, but you are.

As other posters have said, I'd only pay what the job was worth and even then this would be through gritted teeth. I accept that as neighbours it helps to be civil, but given their beliefs, you'll never be close so ultimately I wouldn't try too hard.