Due to some miscommunication, my contractor tear down my neighbor's fence . Am I liable for it?

Question

I wanted to build a new fence between our house and a neighbor. I got a permit to do it. However, before I got a chance to talk to the neighbor, the contractor tear down my neighbor's old fence w/o my knowledge. Once I found out, I tried to talk to my neighbor about it to remedy the problem but they wouldn't talk to me. I wanted to let them know that I can do whatever it takes to make them happy. However, they wouldn't listen and try to call the police accusing me of vandalism, tress passing, and harrassment. What can I do? I got a feeling that they are going to sue me. I really don't want to go that route. Can I just forget about it and let the contractor deal with it since it's their fault in the first place?

Answer 1

one your neighbor will have to talk to you at some point. who's liable? really doesn't matter. If you want to make this up, you are basically taking on the liability of the matter.

If the neighbors sue you - what will they sue you for? replacement of the fence is basically what they can sue you for. in courts these days, they will probably send you to arbitration and let the arbitrator sort things out, which will mean you and your neighbor will have to talk.

Ultimately, keep trying to talk to your neighbor and resolve the situation. You will do this sooner or later......

Answer 2

You are at fault, you should never have let the contractor start work without your neighbours permission.

And saying it's the contractors fault is rubbish, you told them to do the work without finding out if your neighbour was willing for you to touch the fence.

Another point is - do you actually have any responsibility for the fence?

A lot of residences work on a system where you are only responsible for the fence on one side of the property.

If this fence is your neighbours responsibility you had no right to touch it in the first place.