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I need some advice. I have an old building and I am planning to have the crumbling brick chimney rebuilt. I have already gotten a good estimate. My only problem is that the Chimney cap is shared with my next-door neighbor. By “cap” I mean the square brick part that sticks out of the roof.
The contractor will need to rebuild the external part of both chimneys at the same time and will need to enter both buildings after the work is done. I will need my neighbor’s permission. The neighbor has an unlisted number and I don’t have his email, so I want to know the following if I should send a letter or talk to him in person? He has serious financial problems so I'd like to avoid any possibility of being sued etc. by him while the work is done. I am paying for the entire repair, and I will pay to fix any damages, but for various reasons I would like to protect myself as much as possible from any misunderstandings with this person.
What’s the best way to secure his permission and protect myself from any liability?
Last edited by kinkytoes; 01-26-2009 at 09:45 AM..
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kinkytoes
Hi Driller, after reading many of your other posts, I respect your opinion, so I have altered my initial post.
If you are concerned that your neighbor is litigious, you will definitely want to have something in writing that clearly lays out how any damages will be handled. The trouble is that anything you work out between the two of you would have to be an agreement. Some people just aren't very agreeable.
Location: When things get hot they expand. Im not fat. Im hot.
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Just a thought. Dont do this unless your old building in good shape except for the chimney. You could innocently ask your friendly local building inspector about the chimney. He will come out and give you BOTH a citation. Wonky chimneys are a safety hazard. Loose bricks can fall off and bean some unsuspectig passerby. Once he gets the citation and finds out about the fine for not doing it in a timely manner your neighbor will be glad to let you do the chimney.
How ever you do it be sure you get a signed release that youre not responsible for anything the workers do that affects his side of the house. You dont want to have to replace his roof cause somebody stepped on a shingle wrong.
Just a thought. Dont do this unless your old building in good shape except for the chimney. You could innocently ask your friendly local building inspector about the chimney. He will come out and give you BOTH a citation. Wonky chimneys are a safety hazard. Loose bricks can fall off and bean some unsuspectig passerby. Once he gets the citation and finds out about the fine for not doing it in a timely manner your neighbor will be glad to let you do the chimney.
How ever you do it be sure you get a signed release that youre not responsible for anything the workers do that affects his side of the house. You dont want to have to replace his roof cause somebody stepped on a shingle wrong.
Clever idea. Can't give you reps right now for this or your "free range" rocks.
Thank you Mr Chickpea. I have found its best to have "help" when dealing with people like that.
About the rocks. Im addicted.. Its a sickness. Im trying to quit but they call to me.
Haha, I had that affliction with rocks as well, but after that walkway project at my last house, those little red bricks piled up at demo sites are looking mighty tempting from now on! Much, much lighter on the back!
Thanks for all the advice! New Chimney. No issues that I am aware of.
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