Greenhouse Removal Query

DarrenLee02

We have a greenhouse in the garden that is needing to be taken down. As we're unable to do it ourselves, I thought it would just be a case of paying someone to do the job, but a relative says that you need to have insurance in case of injury (it can be a dangerous job). Who's right?
Searching only really shows a thread from here from 2008 ( https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1133137/insured-for-greenhouse-removal ) but things may have changed in 17 years.

Brie

I would agree that your insurance would need to cover any injury if you get in some jack of all trades who does things for cash in hand.  But if you hire a garden service or legit building type they will have their own insurance.  If it was me I'd be checking with them that they are adequately covered to do the job safely.

Section62

DarrenLee02 said:

We have a greenhouse in the garden that is needing to be taken down. As we're unable to do it ourselves, I thought it would just be a case of paying someone to do the job, but a relative says that you need to have insurance in case of injury (it can be a dangerous job). Who's right?
Searching only really shows a thread from here from 2008 ( https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1133137/insured-for-greenhouse-removal ) but things may have changed in 17 years.

Is it wood or metal, and how much of the glass is still intact?  If metal and most of the glass is Ok then it might be worth putting it on one of the free giveaway sites like Freecycle - lots of people want good secondhand greenhouses as new ones are expensive.  Someone will come and take it away.

Just be careful whoever it is genuinely wants the greenhouse for use - I've come across cases where people have come and smashed the glass up leaving it behind because all they wanted was the aluminium frame for parts/scrap. (the glass is probably more valuable though!)

DarrenLee02

Yes, cash-in-hand could leave you in a tricky spot if anything happened, you're right.

The greenhouse is aluminium and several panes are gone, and all the panes in the door, actually the door is knackered. Lost another pane of glass in the storm the other week too!

Section62

DarrenLee02 said:

Yes, cash-in-hand could leave you in a tricky spot if anything happened, you're right.

The greenhouse is aluminium and several panes are gone, and all the panes in the door, actually the door is knackered. Lost another pane of glass in the storm the other week too!

Probably still good enough for an allotment then.  Worth trying Freecycle or similar and see if anyone is interested.

Edit:  With Spring around the corner now is a fairly good time to catch people.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Darren.
An interesting Q.
I don't have the answer, but suspect very strongly that it'll come down to perceived 'liability' or responsibility for any injury.
For example, if you know that the greenhouse is unsafe, and could come crashing down on someone's head, and you don't point this out, then fair chance you'll be found liable should this then occur.
However, if it's 'obvious' what the potential buyer is taking on - and dismantling a greenhouse, obviously needing particular 'care' due to the component parts, is 'pretty obvious' - then the duty of care is on the purchaser.
If you have CCTV, for example, then it might be sensible to say, quite loudly, something like, "You will be careful, won't you - all that glass!" or summat.
But, unless you know there's an additional 'issue', you should be fine.
A cove comes to look at a classic car which is chocked up on stacked tyres - who is responsible if they still crawl under it? I'd suggest the crushed individual. But if the seller encourages them - "go on, I go under there all the time!", then they'd also assume some liability.
So, if you are concerned at all, have that 'word' when they turn up - and make sure it's recorded.
Your household insurance will include a fair level of 'public liability', I think it's called, but you just need to ensure you are being reasonable and responsible.

kipsterno1

Do you have any allotments near by? If so I would ask on there if anyone wants it.

As Section62 suggested Freecycle is another good place for these. A guy on our local group actually rescues greenhouse, fixes them up and donates them to community groups. You do however get people just wanting to make money out of what is being offered.

Lorian

A big risk will be the broken plate glass on the floor it can make very nasty shards. I would not do the job without my Kevlar insoled safety shoes on and the right gloves.

grumpy_codger

Lorian said:

I would not do the job without my Kevlar insoled safety shoes on and the right gloves.

I would do this without any gloves and in my home slippers.

Lorian

You probably charge less than me too.

grumpy_codger

Lorian said:

You probably charge less than me too.

That's why in my house I do almost everything myself. For other people I either do small jobs for free or, indeed, charge them very little.