Residential Boundary Fences...

[Moorf]

Since I'm going through this scenario at the moment I thought I'd share it with you all.. a) to get it off my chest and b) so you can all learn the joy of fences

The boundary fence with one of our neighbours is, for want of a better word, knackered. It's rotten and so are the palings etc, so it can't even be patched or repaired.

Next door is rented.

I called the managing agents and explained that the fence desperately needs repairing and that I believe both parties are to contribute 50%. She agrees and instructions her handyman to quote, and I too go ahead and get a couple of quotes - one for $3640 and one for $4100. (quote is for approx 40m of new fencing - removing and disposing of current fence, removal of a 30ft poplar tree and putting in new fence etc.)

I then have to ring her every other day for 4 weeks to chase her quote.



She then calls me to say the landlord hasn't been contactable (he lives in the USA) and wasn't returning her calls. I then told her that, as my hubby was a lawyer ( ) she could expect a Fencing Notice to be served on the property under the 1978 Fencing Act!

She called the next day and agreed the $3640 quote

If you share a fence with another property, and that fence requires repair and/or replacing, your neighbour must pay 50% of the costs. But don't start any work before a written agreement has been put in place, once you do work on it before an agreement, you can't claim it back.

Well, I hope that helps someone! In 2 weeks we'll have a brand new fence..

[Tara Sage]

That seems expensive for a fence but at least they have agreed to pay it, your garden will look great with i nice new fence.

[Moorf]

Yep, it is alot but we had lots of co.'s in to quote who just didn't want the job due to the tree - it's growing directly on the boundary and is the reason the fence has been destroyed (been left over a few years).

We checked around and we're looking at alot per metre (labour/materials/GST/clear boundary/remove tree/access/skips). Many places quoted c. $40 / metre until they actually viewed the site and the problems associated with it!

So, don't use our costs as a rule of thumb!

Plus it's approx 48m plus we're having 4 metre run on the front of house done too

[jubjub]

Interesting; we need chunks of our fence repaired too before we dare let dog out into back garden, and assumed it was similar to UK, ie we own one side and they own the other, trouble is BOTH sides are rented out, so not sure about how we sort that one!

But have to say its a lot more pricey than we had hoped! but like you say there is a tree involved as well, ours is just straight fencing.

[Moorf]

Jubjub - you need to get your managing agents talking. Some landlords will drag their feet as it's pure expenditure for them. However, mentioning the Fencing Act does seem to move them along

Here's some info on shared fencing : http://www.ccc.govt.nz/publications/...ing/shared.pdf

[Moorf]

Oh, and if you get in there and sort it yourselves with your agents, you could get them to build it so the flat side is on your side

[Hannah-NL]

Moorf, you don't need to have the tree removed that far, only into the log burner I suppose?

[Simon & Emily]

Just a quick thought here - I'm sure many are aware, but some may not be, that some conifers (especially the wonderfull quick growing leylandi, not spelt correctly I know but you know the ones I mean ) give off toxic/narcotic fumes when burnt. Not recommended for burning indoors though.

Emily

[Moorf]

Moorf, you don't need to have the tree removed that far, only into the log burner I suppose?

That's right, the fencing guy asked us if we wanted the wood and we said yes he's even going to cut it up for us. I offered the other house, across the fence, half of it, but they don't have a fire ... shame! Obviously it'll have to dry out for next year but every little helps!

[selchie]

Thanks for the fencing info. It's nice to know they actually have legislation for that.

Have you considered getting a separate quote for tree removal from someone in the tree biz? Just wondering if it would cost less to do so.