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Advice on a quandary

(28 Posts)
keepingquiet Sat 31-Aug-24 13:37:59

A few weeks ago my neighbours took down some conifers that had been affording me some privacy, so I decided to put up a fence.

I have now got a few quotes back but have managed to offend my son, who said he could have done it for me.

The thing is I don't trust him to do it right, and also he's very busy so may take ages getting round to it.

I have told the fencing people I will get back to them next week, but I'm not sure whether to save money and wait for my son to do it.

Either way I'll let people down, how to make the right decision?

Cossy Sat 31-Aug-24 13:39:53

Explain to your son, ask him if he’s available in the next two weeks, and if he’ll do exactly what you ask?

If he cannot commit then go ahead with your original plan

Cossy Sat 31-Aug-24 13:40:36

PS you won’t be “letting anyone down” flowers

Smileless2012 Sat 31-Aug-24 13:45:44

If it means an indefinite wait and not being done properly, I'd thank my son for the offer and go with the fencing people and as Cossy's posted you won't be "letting anyone down".

J52 Sat 31-Aug-24 14:09:53

Get the professionals to do it. Then it’s all done and dusted by the winter.
Your son’s an adult and will just have to get over it.

crazyH Sat 31-Aug-24 14:20:46

It’s lovely of your son to offer to do the job. But if you’re me, you will still have to recompense him in some way. And as others have said, since he has a full time job, it will take a long time. If you’re like me, I have no patience. Also, I’d rather it done by professionals. Good luck !

keepingquiet Sat 31-Aug-24 16:12:13

Thanks everyone. If he doesn't also fix the gate (which he's promised to do) he won't have a choice.

To be fair I just wasted an hour in B&Q where they didn't stock the fencing anyway and didn't have the right bolts and things. It does need doing before the bad weather sets in...

M0nica Sat 31-Aug-24 21:33:57

Just ring the fencing company, get it done and then tell your son that he is a very busy man and you do not want to be a burden on him and have him dreading your phone calls in cases he is needed to do more work for you.

Bellanonna Sat 31-Aug-24 21:58:30

I agree with your comment Monica

Oreo Sat 31-Aug-24 23:07:18

Cossy

Explain to your son, ask him if he’s available in the next two weeks, and if he’ll do exactly what you ask?

If he cannot commit then go ahead with your original plan

This

Ziplok Mon 02-Sept-24 12:21:32

I think Monica is right.

yogitree Mon 02-Sept-24 12:39:53

Get it done by the professionals. It will cost you more but be done efficiently and quickly without you having to hunt for the right hardware, wood etc. In my experience my son would like to help me but I by-pass him because it would take so much of his spare time up plus his travelling to me.

keepingquiet Mon 02-Sept-24 13:20:54

Yep- had a chat this morning. I asked him when he would be able to fit the job into his busy schedule and he said not till the end of September. I said it needed doing sooner than this so I'm going to get the pros in. He seemed offended but its either his pride or my fence!

It would be a false economy trying to source all the bits that the pros have to hand.

midgey Mon 02-Sept-24 13:35:03

Monica has cracked it, just ring the fencing people.

Whiff Tue 03-Sept-24 11:30:07

keepingquiet it will take 2 people to put the fence ,posts and gravel boards up. Get in the fencing people as you may need some panels made special . When I had my fence done at my old house had to have 2 panels specially made to fit my garden . The gravel board and fence posts where fine as my late husband and dad put up the original fence up. And my husband had altered the 2 panels himself. Make sure you get pre treated panels .

Allira Tue 03-Sept-24 11:53:46

We got someone to put some sturdy posts in then DH put on the overlapping fence panels.
Could you get someone in to erect the posts as that is quite a job in itself, then he could put on the panels?
DH did get on with it and he was fitter then.

Although personally, I'd do as M0nica suggests.

Allira Tue 03-Sept-24 11:54:07

he - I meant your son.

biglouis Thu 05-Sept-24 11:47:53

If you are wanting to have a decent fence pay for a professional job.

My NDN made an agreement with the (then) landlord to go halves for a new fence. Then the arrangement lapsed as the NDN made no effort to get estimates. Over a year went by. Meantime I bought the house. Then she had a bunch of cowboys put up a fence made from recycled panels which looked like something from the third world. She thought I was going to pay half.

No way, Jose. Your arrangement was with the LL not with me.

I got my gardener to bring in his brother in law to do a professional job. He erected a fence at the full permitted height and in the style of my other fencing. It hides the unsightly job of next door and is too high for her to poke her ugly snoot over it.

High fences make for good neighbours.

Baggs Thu 05-Sept-24 11:53:19

He seemed offended

Emotional blackmail. Don't give in to it.

How utterly ridiculous to put on an offended air because your mum wants to get a job done well and at a time that suits her!

Mt61 Thu 05-Sept-24 12:09:49

If you son makes a mess, then you will be paying twice to have sorted out properly

NotSpaghetti Thu 05-Sept-24 12:32:36

I think keepingquiet has it sorted now.
🤞

Ali08 Thu 05-Sept-24 13:11:58

J52

Get the professionals to do it. Then it’s all done and dusted by the winter.
Your son’s an adult and will just have to get over it.

And then it should be under a guarantee, in case something happens!!

Norah Thu 05-Sept-24 13:18:07

J52

Get the professionals to do it. Then it’s all done and dusted by the winter.
Your son’s an adult and will just have to get over it.

Best way forward, have it done professionally.

keepingquiet Thu 05-Sept-24 16:55:45

Yes, someone coming week after next. It isn't a big job and no posts are required.
All my other fencing needs painting so no point in having a painted/treated one.
Yes, it was a kind of emotional blackmail but he'll forget about it once the fence is up.
Thankyou for all your comments.
I'll let you know when it's done!

grandtanteJE65 Fri 06-Sept-24 16:28:59

Thank your son kindly for offering, but say that you need the fecne put up immediately, and you know how busy he is, so you are having it done by a firm.

At this time of year it makes sense to get outside work attended to as quickly as possible.