Fencing question as I'm wondering if my neighbours are just cheapskates/pricks and wanted to get another view. Please note: we're happy to pay for the full cost of the shared fence as 'good fences make good neighbours' and all that jazz but approached our neighbour as you know, it's a shared fence and to a). Advise them of date we are booking in for work to be carried out and check if OK to access the yard while this is happening (and to keep their dogs inside if possible) and b). If they would be interested in sharing the cost. Total cost is $5,450. We are located in Queensland, Australia
A little backgound: The shared fence is approx. 20 years old - we have been here the whole time. It's a 1.8m high treated timber fence (minimal gaps between palings, for privacy). It's in reasonable condition however our dog has chewed the bottom railing in some sections (due to neighbours dog growling and barking at anyone in our yard over the years. Can't really blame their dog as he's old & deaf or our dog for protecting his yard).
Husband and I have sourced quotes as we weren't sure if the whole fence would need replacing or just the railings and single palings as required. Fencing people have advised it would be more cost effective to replace the whole shared fence as we've had a couple of cyclones and there is a slight lean and this will give us another 20+ years of life.
Neighbour has flat out said no as "your dog damaged the fence". Not hey, sorry, money's a little tight or whatever. Not that the $ is an issue for us, it needs to be done. But I found it a rude or is this a normal reaction?
Mind you, this neighbour replaced a small section in the back corner (shared) fence and left the old palings behind our shed with the nails etc. poking out. Luckily we don't have any small children that like to hide in the small gaps! We had no idea the bits were left there until we went to look behind the shed for a snake sighted earlier in the day. Never had any major issues with this neighbour that I'm aware of. We don't have wild parties and keep to ourselves and have been what I consider, good neighbours i.e. We've let them know if they've left their garage door open while they've been at work, collected their mail while they've been away etc. Am I wrong to think it rude? Or is this normal interaction between neighbours when it comes to shared fences?