Scaffolding Allegedly Damaged Neighbour s Wall
Discussion
Evening,
Looking for some advice if possible – sorry in advance for the word soup, just trying to get everything down.
I’ve got an upstairs flat (block of 4, 2 up / 2 down). Had to get the waste pipe from my toilet replaced as it was damaged. To do that the plumber needed scaffolding up.
Plumber arranged the scaffold company, pipe’s been replaced, scaffold now down.
Problem is, the scaffolding had to sit partly over next door’s dry-stone wall as there wasn’t enough space on my side (permission was granted by neighbour). At some point while it was up/down, the neighbour says the wall’s been damaged. It has collapsed – about 1.5m of it – pic below.
Scaffold company and plumber both saying it’s nothing to do with them. Neighbour saying it is. I’ve no proof either way, although no reason to disbelieve neighbour.
Neighbour also reckons me/the flats are responsible for maintaining that wall under the deeds. I’ve checked mine and can’t see anything that says that.
My view is: if the scaffold did cause it, then surely that’s on their insurance, or the plumber since he arranged them. Not me personally. Or am I way off?
I don’t want the other flat owners dragged into it as either way it’s nothing to do with them. But if I am responsible for sorting the wall, can I leave it for a while? I’ve just spent over £50k on the flat (back-to-brick job) so I’ve got no cash left right now – would be a few months at least before I could start sorting it.
I’m going to speak with the neighbour tomorrow, but just wanted an idea of where I stand before I put my foot in it.
Up to now, the neighbour has just posted a rather official/formal letter to me about the above.
Looking for some advice if possible – sorry in advance for the word soup, just trying to get everything down.
I’ve got an upstairs flat (block of 4, 2 up / 2 down). Had to get the waste pipe from my toilet replaced as it was damaged. To do that the plumber needed scaffolding up.
Plumber arranged the scaffold company, pipe’s been replaced, scaffold now down.
Problem is, the scaffolding had to sit partly over next door’s dry-stone wall as there wasn’t enough space on my side (permission was granted by neighbour). At some point while it was up/down, the neighbour says the wall’s been damaged. It has collapsed – about 1.5m of it – pic below.
Scaffold company and plumber both saying it’s nothing to do with them. Neighbour saying it is. I’ve no proof either way, although no reason to disbelieve neighbour.
Neighbour also reckons me/the flats are responsible for maintaining that wall under the deeds. I’ve checked mine and can’t see anything that says that.
My view is: if the scaffold did cause it, then surely that’s on their insurance, or the plumber since he arranged them. Not me personally. Or am I way off?
I don’t want the other flat owners dragged into it as either way it’s nothing to do with them. But if I am responsible for sorting the wall, can I leave it for a while? I’ve just spent over £50k on the flat (back-to-brick job) so I’ve got no cash left right now – would be a few months at least before I could start sorting it.
I’m going to speak with the neighbour tomorrow, but just wanted an idea of where I stand before I put my foot in it.
Up to now, the neighbour has just posted a rather official/formal letter to me about the above.
Just my viewpoint. It's the scaffolder's responsibility, rather than the plumber. That's why trades don't tend to have their own scaffolding, so that they shift the responsibility. Scaffolders also need to display their name and contact details.
First determine who owns the wall, and who is responsible for its upkeep, then direct them to the situation and the scaffolder's details. This assumes the plumber did not actually cause the damage. Keep the neighbour informed.
First determine who owns the wall, and who is responsible for its upkeep, then direct them to the situation and the scaffolder's details. This assumes the plumber did not actually cause the damage. Keep the neighbour informed.
GasEngineer said:
I know that dry stone walling is a bit of an art - but given that there is no mortar involved apart from a bit of pointing on the vertical stones at the top, why don't you have a go at putting it back together.
It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
Was about to say this. It took me 1/2 day to repair mine after a tree fell on my dry wall and the damage was considerably worst than yours. I have to say, it requires a bit of patience and it is like doing a 3D puzzle. It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
Rebuilding a dry stone wall is very satisfying, done a couple in Ireland, as previously said it looks like it fell in some order without major damage, get together with your neighbor and get it done.
Probably take a lot less time and stress than chasing contractors with no proof they are responsible, a patient person may find stress relief from it.
Probably take a lot less time and stress than chasing contractors with no proof they are responsible, a patient person may find stress relief from it.
paddy1970 said:
GasEngineer said:
I know that dry stone walling is a bit of an art - but given that there is no mortar involved apart from a bit of pointing on the vertical stones at the top, why don't you have a go at putting it back together.
It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
Was about to say this. It took me 1/2 day to repair mine after a tree fell on my dry wall and the damage was considerably worst than yours. I have to say, it requires a bit of patience and it is like doing a 3D puzzle. It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
Not worth even considering the hassle of pursuing it, nor the grief that a claim on your own insurance would cause. As previously mentioned, do it yourself, or if beyond your skills, speak to the local farmers etc, and find a local old boy to do it, for what is probably a very small amount of money.
It looks like a dodgy wall to start with.
<Devon Accent> You can't do it like that my dear </Devon Accent>
While the scaffolder shouldn't have knocked it over, walls should be built such that they do not succumb too readily.
Which has implications about the blame game, but also you may struggle to get anyone to "put 'im back as 'twas".
Taint proper.
<Devon Accent> You can't do it like that my dear </Devon Accent>
While the scaffolder shouldn't have knocked it over, walls should be built such that they do not succumb too readily.
Which has implications about the blame game, but also you may struggle to get anyone to "put 'im back as 'twas".
Taint proper.
GasEngineer said:
I know that dry stone walling is a bit of an art - but given that there is no mortar involved apart from a bit of pointing on the vertical stones at the top, why don't you have a go at putting it back together.
It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
'Cocks and Hens' is the name for those alternating large and small vertical stones.It looks as if it has fallen over mostly in the right order.
Evening, just a quick update - Had a chat with neighbour and she was very nice about things, not in a rush for a fix which was a relief (If I have to sort anyway) Plumber is coming round on Monday so will see what is said at that point.
Neighbour has said she can't say it was scaffolders for sure as she wasn't around when it was taken down (no damage when it was put up apparently) but the reason the damage is so much is due to the bad weather we had at the weekend, the rain/wind has blown more of it down, before it was just a small section. - I am wondering how stable it was to start with in that case...
There is also one of the other flat owners that uses the side of the building with this wall (which they're not supposed to as it isn't a through-way) so its also possible they've caught it when taking stuff to/from car as its quite muddy/rocky so could've slipped.
I'll see what plumber says but I think what some of you have already posted is probably the right idea - I don't mind trying to DIY it myself, failing that I'll just have to see if I can find some people to provide quotes (sadly I think I'm too far away from Geralds area
). Now I know it can wait a bit to sort, whilst not very happy about it, I don't mind paying to sort it when I can... I'd rather not have unhappy neighbours when I plan on being in the area a while.
Thank you all for the advice so far, it helped give me a clearer head, was panicking a bit last night, so really appreciate it
Neighbour has said she can't say it was scaffolders for sure as she wasn't around when it was taken down (no damage when it was put up apparently) but the reason the damage is so much is due to the bad weather we had at the weekend, the rain/wind has blown more of it down, before it was just a small section. - I am wondering how stable it was to start with in that case...
There is also one of the other flat owners that uses the side of the building with this wall (which they're not supposed to as it isn't a through-way) so its also possible they've caught it when taking stuff to/from car as its quite muddy/rocky so could've slipped.
I'll see what plumber says but I think what some of you have already posted is probably the right idea - I don't mind trying to DIY it myself, failing that I'll just have to see if I can find some people to provide quotes (sadly I think I'm too far away from Geralds area
). Now I know it can wait a bit to sort, whilst not very happy about it, I don't mind paying to sort it when I can... I'd rather not have unhappy neighbours when I plan on being in the area a while.Thank you all for the advice so far, it helped give me a clearer head, was panicking a bit last night, so really appreciate it
Demented said:
Evening, just a quick update - Had a chat with neighbour and she was very nice about things, not in a rush for a fix which was a relief (If I have to sort anyway) Plumber is coming round on Monday so will see what is said at that point.
Neighbour has said she can't say it was scaffolders for sure as she wasn't around when it was taken down (no damage when it was put up apparently) but the reason the damage is so much is due to the bad weather we had at the weekend, the rain/wind has blown more of it down, before it was just a small section. - I am wondering how stable it was to start with in that case...
There is also one of the other flat owners that uses the side of the building with this wall (which they're not supposed to as it isn't a through-way) so its also possible they've caught it when taking stuff to/from car as its quite muddy/rocky so could've slipped.
I'll see what plumber says but I think what some of you have already posted is probably the right idea - I don't mind trying to DIY it myself, failing that I'll just have to see if I can find some people to provide quotes (sadly I think I'm too far away from Geralds area). Now I know it can wait a bit to sort, whilst not very happy about it, I don't mind paying to sort it when I can... I'd rather not have unhappy neighbours when I plan on being in the area a while.
Thank you all for the advice so far, it helped give me a clearer head, was panicking a bit last night, so really appreciate it
Strong winds can bring them down. Our church cemetery had a wall collapse. Luckily the Council own it.Neighbour has said she can't say it was scaffolders for sure as she wasn't around when it was taken down (no damage when it was put up apparently) but the reason the damage is so much is due to the bad weather we had at the weekend, the rain/wind has blown more of it down, before it was just a small section. - I am wondering how stable it was to start with in that case...
There is also one of the other flat owners that uses the side of the building with this wall (which they're not supposed to as it isn't a through-way) so its also possible they've caught it when taking stuff to/from car as its quite muddy/rocky so could've slipped.
I'll see what plumber says but I think what some of you have already posted is probably the right idea - I don't mind trying to DIY it myself, failing that I'll just have to see if I can find some people to provide quotes (sadly I think I'm too far away from Geralds area
). Now I know it can wait a bit to sort, whilst not very happy about it, I don't mind paying to sort it when I can... I'd rather not have unhappy neighbours when I plan on being in the area a while.Thank you all for the advice so far, it helped give me a clearer head, was panicking a bit last night, so really appreciate it
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