How To Approach This...

[meglet]

I've just had a letter thru the door from our neighbours at the end of our garden asking that we trim the conifers that edge our property by 10ft.

I can see how these could be affecting their light, although not until right at the end of the day. The thing is I reckon this is going to cost £400-500 and right now we are frantically saving as I'm due twin boys in just over 3 months and the financial impact of that is going to be massive (all the baby stuff, 7 seater car, earlier maternity leave etc). I'm guessing they're going to want it done soon given its summer so I was thinking of suggesting they go halves.

Is this reasonable. How best should I approach them?

[meglet]

No, the cost of nappies is not a major concern. It's the 6 months off work (minimum) I'm saving for!

They are about house height though (our gardens are long though so, like I say, it only affects their light at the day of the day - it's not as though their house is in shadow or anything). I'm thinking of chopping them back to half their current size then I wont have to worry about it for a good while.

I'll pop a note back to them to say I'll get some quotes and then go in with my massive bump and explain the situ.

[TWR]

In our town the local paper has ads regards Odd Jobs Persons, contact one of them for a quote, from what I gather a hedge trimmer will be of no use in cutting this hedge, it may need a Small Chain Saw, there is also the Issue of removal of the Debris, Best wishes with your birth. x

[Retrochic]

Meglet we have just felled a tree in one of our rental properties and it had to be done bit by bit by a tree surgeon . It was a huge willow tree. He charged us £60 and it took him around 2 hours to do. The same property has a large privet hedge that needs cutting back to 8 ft every year as it borders a road -its around 20 ft long and the guy charges us £80 to do it. I think you should be looking for quote's around £200 to reduce 4 trees but its not beyond DIY if you can rent a good trimmer (petrol not electric)

[Retrochic]

^^^^ agree -its a chainsaw you will needas a trimmer would be useless on confiers

[meglet]

I've had one quote so far of £380. The guy said it includes 2 guys for a day with 3 van loads (£40 each) of tree to dispose of.

[Retrochic]

If you can get him down to £300 for cash I would go for it. It depends if they have to pay for disposal -if they have their own land they may burn it, but otherwise they may have to pay to dump it. Make sure they are 'cosher' and not going to dump the stuff in a layby somewhere. Also ask if perhaps your OH can help rather than pay another worker. They need two as one will be sawing while the other holds the branch with ropes then he pulls it away from the tree when the cutter makes the final cut. If you can get OH to volunteer and the contractor is willing then you could save £80-100.

[ukbod2015]

If the roots are in your garden its your responsibility speak to them and ask you if you can delay it till finance improves - i`m sure you dont need conifers in excess of 16 feet for privacy.

[TWR]

One of the worst Tree's / Hedges for causing Neighbour Conflicts.