Previously I asked if we should be upset that our neighbors painted the side of our fence that is on our property that they look at when we were on vacation. We knew the fence needed painted and we planned to powerwash the fence to lighten. The stain they used (a dark color) would now have to be stripped off to change colors. We didn't want a dark fence and they just don't get why we are not pleased they painted our fence the color they wanted. When we talked to them, they said "At least we are not asking you to pay us back for what we spent". They used the most expensive stain there is and it will cost us over $400 to stain the fence. They just don't get it that it's our fence. My husband and I say they eat the cost of what they spent. What do you think?
2007-08-12 08:11:36 · 8 answers · asked by TABYS 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'm a painter and I run into this often. I have started power washing and staining a fence...then the neighbor comes home and says WTF are you and what are you doing to my fence. I watched 2 neighbors duke it out in the back yard over this. Were talking body slams and round houses. The police came and I just stood there with my brush in my hand and my jaw on the ground. Ultimately the person that owns the fence has the say so.
You could either compromise and leave the side that faces them the color they stained it and re stain your side...Or call me if you live in Illinois and we will charge him to strip the stain and re stain both sides. You in a win,win situation here. It's your fence they had no right to stain it when you were gone PERIOD!!!!. It's just a matter of having to deal with them if you make them pay to have it re stained. '
I wouldn't offer them money at all. They took matters into their own hands. Stained something they didn't own. That's like you go in to their house when they are gone to paint their fence cuz you didn't like it...it doesn't work that way. If they are being jerks about it...make them pay to have it re stained...fook em :) Then buy them a bug zapper light as a little gift of sorrow...heheee...keep the bugs in their yard.. Have a great summer...winks
2007-08-12 08:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by Bear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When will people learn?...
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT.
As the first responder Robert Evans said; they were tresspassing and did damage to your fence by taking it upon themselves to paint it.
The way they went about causing the damage was sneaky and underhanded.
They showed no respect for your wishes. Only with what THEY wanted done with the fence that is NOT theirs.
Unless the fence was a hazard, which I doubt because no repair was done, only painting; no matter how much money one has, one does not have the right to spend their money to alter the property of other's without the owner's permission.
Write them a letter explaining that it is your fence and that they did not have the right to paint it any color without your permission. Also, explain what will have to be done to repair the damage cause by them and request that they re-imburse what it will cost you to repair the damage that was done by them to your fence and send it Cerified Mail with Return Receipt. That way when it is delivered, they have to sign for it and you'll get a copy of the receipt with their signature and they can't claim they didn't get it.
If they refuse to pay the cost of repairing the damage that was done by them to YOUR property, as Blessed said; sue them in small claims court.
You should be able to at least get re-imbursed for what it will cost you to undo the damage caused by them but probably not the cost to then paint the fence you want to paint it.
Hopefully, you'll be able to settle out of court.
2007-08-12 09:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn`t call it eating the cost. I would call it money that they wanted to spend on your fence. So since it is their money, they can do what ever they want with it.
On the other hand, If you do not want to spend the $400. to fix the color, you can take them to the magistrate of your area or to small claims court and sue them for the money to re-do your fence.
It is your fence. You should have been allowed to do what ever you wanted with it. If you didn`t want to paint it yet, you did not have to. They, by taking the matter into their own hands, said that you are not mature and responsible enough to take care of your fence. So what does that tell others about you? That you are pushovers and the next time you go on vacation, someone might not like the color of your house or the way you landscape your yard and change it to suit their taste.
2007-08-12 08:28:05 · answer #3 · answered by Blessed 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Robert. I would speak the truth, but with kindness and respect. Tell them you appreciate their effort; however, you are uncomfortable with them trespassing on your property to paint your fence a color they chose. Maybe ask them gently, how they would feel if you painted their fence or house the color you thought was appropriate? Be very gracious, but firm. I am sure the last thing you want to do is start a neighborhood feud over this. I would request that they reimburse you as well - I agree with Robert on his points.
2007-08-12 08:58:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not only would I not pay for their expense, but I'd request they pay for you to paint it the color you want to cover up their unwanted stain. They were trespassing on your property while painting. It might not be too big a stretch to say they caused unwanted damage to your fence.
2007-08-12 08:21:02 · answer #5 · answered by robert_evans 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You look at your side of the fence and they look at their side. Be thankful that they took the liberty of preserving 'their' side of YOUR fence. Now you're only concerned with painting/staining one side of the fence.
If it's facing their yard, what the hell do you care what color they painted it? ... Unless it's a fence along the front of your property and they live across the street.
I've had a jackass that thought my chain link fence was on "my side" of the hedge... luckily I came home from vacation just after his fence guys pulled up my hedges and informed them that they were MY hedges. I painted my side of his privacy fence in a heartbeat.
Another neighbor put up a chain link fence (black vinyl chain link w/silver bars) in front of ArborVitae trees... Yep, I painted what I looked at w/black spray paint so I wouldn't have to look at the glaring bars. She never noticed, or at least she never said anything.
On my latest 'fence venture', I was kind of disappointed that the backyard neighbor took down her chain link fence once I put up my privacy fence... it was re-inforcement against winds in FL, but that's life.
BTW... I still own all the properties I have dealt with on the fence issues.
2007-08-16 18:08:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soo cheeky ! how dare they go onto your land and paint your fence while ur away, its has got nothing to do with them at all. You wont want an unhappy enviroment, dont pay them, no way. Cant you put a gate up, just ask them, why did they do that, they shoulndt of. Perhaphs you could pop round and concrete their lawn while they are not in ! lol (cheeky so and so's)
2007-08-12 09:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by leigha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmm... forgive me but i need clarification... you say 'our' fence... is it really yours? or just your side of the fence?
fences are seldom on the property line exactly...
if the fence is on their property they can paint 'your side' of the fence any colour that they would like...
if the fence is on your property... technically it would be tresspass
2007-08-12 09:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by iam5foot2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋