Neighbors and Pool Installation (LONG)

[Simmons99]

OMG - it gets better - the sprinkler company came out to fix the sprinkler heads and they were not home. Husband calls them to tell them that the sprinkler company needs to be able to turn the system on to find the heads and verify they have been fixed. They tell us that they should not have to take off of work or come home to deal with this.

So my husand left them the sprinkler company's card and a letter for them to contact them to schedule a time when it is convienant for them.

I just hope they don't try and get me to replace the sod in their whole yard because heads are broken in 3 of the zones and they can't turn on the system.

Maybe I should leave a new hose and sprinkler for them too when we leave? If this gets really bad (although I don't know it can get worse) I will just tell them to sue me and we'll see who runs out of money first

[tmmort]

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

I would make sure their yard was better than it was before, along with sending Lovely Newly Wed a bouquet of flowers with a swimming invite upon completion.

I've unfortunately had the experience of living next to brooding neighbors - life's too short for that. JMHO.

[MaryLee]

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

I would make sure their yard was better than it was before, along with sending Lovely Newly Wed a bouquet of flowers with a swimming invite upon completion.

I've unfortunately had the experience of living next to brooding neighbors - life's too short for that. JMHO.

Good advice!! I agree 100%. Rise above it all.

[cruzmisl]

I would make sure their yard was better than it was before

I agree. At least then they have nothing to complain about.

along with sending Lovely Newly Wed a bouquet of flowers with a swimming invite upon completion.

I've unfortunately had the experience of living next to brooding neighbors - life's too short for that. JMHO.

Flowers? Swimming invite?? Are you kidding me? That will just reinforce their childish behaviour for the next project they're involved in. Not for me, but then again I 'm stubborn and will not give an inch especially since they happily agreed to the project. What did the neighbors think they were going to dig the pool with a garden shovel??

Just my 2 cents. Surely others would react differently. I think they are doing everything they can but the neighbors are uncooperative.

[sevver]

I agree, with that, if the neighbors agreed to the project, then ongoing perfection is not going to happen, their yard cannot be restored daily, they do not make hovercraft backhoes, and the dirt is not getting airlifted out of the backyard. Sounds like the neighbors are typical construction-ignorant types.

As for returning the yard back to better than original, by all means do that, but don't invite them over, I would say they would have to earn that.

[leejp]

Does your neighbor run out to grab soccer balls, baseballs, frisbees... that land on her yard too?

[Simmons99]

Update -

Right before we left for vacation on Sunday (6/23/06) - I wrote a letter (scanned and kept a copy) explaining that we had the sprinkler company out on Friday and they could not repair their system because no one was home to turn on the water. I continued that they are to contact the sprinkler company and included the guys name and number (the guy also left a card on their door) and that he would make an appointment at their convenience. I also told them that he would come by daily while we were out of town to immediately repair any damage that may occur. I thanked them for their patience and for their permission to use their yard for the installation.

I put it in an envelope with a bottle of wine on their front porch.

They came by about an hour later and thanked us for the wine and that they had talked to the sprinkler company.

Anyway - I have been home for 2 days now and they are not talking to us. So I guess I will wait until the PM for the pool builder calls me back to see what happened while we are gone.

[Pool_Mike]

Simmons,

That seems to be great news. You seem to be a great guy and take care of business. I wish I had a neighbor like you. To me you did all you can and you are being very helpfull to make sure your neighbor gets their yard issues resolved at the end of your pool project. I just hope the same happens here w/ us when out builder starts to break ground or break the fence down. Oh yea.... I have not told the neighbor yet. hehehe

[gonefishin]

As for returning the yard back to better than original, by all means do that, but don't invite them over, I would say they would have to earn that.

I couldn't agree more. As you say...return the yard to the proper condition. I would also be more than willing to assist the neighbor with any repairs they may be doing on their own. But it doesn't seem that this young couple is concerned enough to get a little dirty while making the repairs themselves.

More often than not...it's much easier for people to complain rather than just fix the problem. It's also much quicker.

My guess...this couple will continue complaining about this much after the problem is gone.

take care,
dan

[Simmons99]

Okay they came over last night and talked to my husband while I was taking the kids to swimming lessons. They had a whole week and a half to brew up stuff so here is their latest laundry list.

1. The sprinklers are not fixed because they did NOT call the sprinkler company because they shouldn't HAVE to call them - it's our job. DH told them that we tried that and they were not home - so that we would be happy to call the sprinkler company but that they would need to coordinate with them to be home when they come out. Then DH finds out that all the sprinkler heads are on ONE zone (not three like they told me last week) which they have turned off and there is no grass in that zone right now.
2. They are upset that the pool equipment will be installed on our side yard that faces them. They wanted us to move it to the other side of the house. DH told them that we couldn't do that because of zoning regulations (not true but they cannot argue with that!)
3. They want us to sign a piece of paper stating that we will pay to relocate or remove and replace our pool equipment in the event they choose to build a pool. They seem to think that the equipment would not be able to get past our pool equipment. DH told them that a pool company could get around it, but they argued with him over it.
4. They want us to bury the gas tank in the ground, because "everyone else's is like that" (except of course the other five gas tanks on our street). DH said that he would look into it.
5. They are really "concerned" about drainage - as the ground does not slope the way that they want it. DH reminded them that the pool company is not done yet and that they will need to level the ground to install the pavers.

So I have decided to write a letter with the following...

• As we discussed before we went on vacation - you need to contact the sprinkler company to repair your sprinklers so that they can make sure that you are home and that you can verify they are fixed according to your specifications. We will be covering any costs for repairing damage from the pool company.
• We will be more than happy to sign a land use and access agreement as you signed for us in the event that you would like to have a pool installed in your yard. In the event of damages, we would expect the same thing that you do, which is that all damages to our property will be repaired at your or your pool company's expense.
• As far as the gas tank location on our property. We will locate the tank according to the most economical solution for us. If you would like to assist with the cost of burying the tank, we would be willing to discuss it.
• We expect that the project will be done between the end of July and the end of August. At the end of the project the grading will be completed and we will have all of your sod replaced and verify that your sprinkler system is functioning to the "pre-pool" condition.

I'm really mad right now - is that clear enough?

**EDIT**

Okay here are some pictures