Shared costs for work

oxfordmark

Hello

We have to share costs for some work which is shared with our neighbour.

Is it un-reasonable to ask him to obtain 3 quotes, rather than just using his own builder. And to be around when work is carried out?

Thanks

Doozergirl

Get your own quotes if you're worried about the cost, but if they're organising it all, I don't see how them choosing the builder should be a problem.

stator

Why do you have to share the costs?
Is it written into your deeds, a covenant?

brightontraveller

It is often better to get the preferred builder to quote first then from the written quote obtain other quotes yourself to the same specifications getting different quotes is only going to be relevant if there all quoting the same thing and in construction that’s not always the case ….

oxfordmark

stator wrote: »

Why do you have to share the costs?
Is it written into your deeds, a covenant?

Hello

Yes, deeds say shared costs.

stator

If it went to court they would have to prove the costs were reasonable.
So yes I think for both sides sake it would be best to get in more quotes, but you can't force them to do anything until they take you to court for not paying your share.

oxfordmark

Hello

It's still brewing. We asked for 3 quoted but he wants the work done asap.

Would we need to pay half the costs of the cosmetics of the work, I.e pay for the block paving to get dug up and restored? Or just the actual work?

shaun_from_Africa

What exactly is the work required?
If it's something that needs doing urgently to prevent any further damage or cost then it makes sense to get it done asap.
However, if this isn't the case then tell your neighbour that if he wants the work carried out by a builder of his choice then he will have to pay for it himself. If you are obliged to pay half of the cost, you should have a say in who does the work and you should be able to get a few quotes to make sure that your neighbours builder isn't ripping you off.

oxfordmark

It's a damp issue that he thinks is caused by his down pipe for rain water from the roof, he wants to build a soakaway.

We've asked for a drain specialist to come and rule out that a water surface drain, out to the road, isn't there.

He has blocked pack so the cost will be more as it has to be removed then relaid.

shaun_from_Africa

My unqualified opinion is that if you are responsible for half of the costs in getting the drainage repairs carried out, this shouldn't include the cost of removing and relaying the block paving as that was your neighbours decision to get it put down.
After all, where would you draw the line?
How about if they had an extension or a garage built over the pipes?

You really need to wait until the drain specialist has been and see what his report states. If there is already a pipe laid to the main drain and this is damaged or blocked then it would make sense to repair or replace this rather then getting a soakaway put in.

You may well end up having to get proper legal advice over this matter and it's possible that your home insurance policy will provide this.