Do I need a Structural Engineer ?

This appears to have been dragging on for weeks now. Regardless of whether the property is rented, surely the logical first step is for the unhappy neighbour to provide evidence of the damage and arrange for the OP and his builder to inspect it? If that hasn't happened then why would anyone spend money on a structural engineer for a few nails in an external garage wall?

The situation as described seems odd. If this is the whole story then I would respond that the neighbour is not being reasonable and that until he allows access you will not be engaging further on this matter. If he will only accept a professional report then he can pay for it himself. Presumably he will have to allow the structural engineer to access the garage, so why not the OP and the builder who put the nails in?
 
Yea, it seems right now there is claims of damage with no evidence/proof and a refusal to even allow inspection without an exorbitant cost being paid.

Frankly id love to be on the receiving end of the court paperwork as it would be great would rip him to bits in the defense.
 
I know I'm late to the party, but am I on my own in thinking that if the Neighbour needs a structural engineer's opinion to put his mind at rest, when his property was damaged through no fault of his own, then you should probably just entertain his request?

Even if that was just dropping an email to a structural engineer to see whether he could offer an opionion on pictures or would need to come out and have a look? If the concept of needing one is as laughable as suggested then it's going to be less than an hour's work and unlikely to cost much.

You've probably spent more money's worth in time and effort in arguing about this already.
 
So are they saying they've been in contact with the builder. The builder has asked to inspect the damage and they've refused the builder access.
 
mikehhhhhhh said:
then you should probably just entertain his request?
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Because its not like the bricks have been completely destroyed and removed.

Bug One said:
So are they saying they've been in contact with the builder. The builder has asked to inspect the damage and they've refused the builder access.
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Yup, and if ive been following correctly, they havent even provided evidence of the damage!
 
Mano said:
Now we enter in to dispute and instruct structural engineers to survey and instruct the builder to carry out remedial work and claim the costs through civil court.
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Just thinking,Will this cost me (OP) much when it's goes to civil court?
 
Mano said:
Just thinking,Will this cost me (OP) much when it's goes to civil court?
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for goodness sake do you have house insurance? 7 pages .....let the insurance deal with it if he wont allow access then thats his problem and the insurance will soon tell him that. no one pays out for repairs if they cant see the damage, common sense:)
 
Mano said:
Just thinking,Will this cost me (OP) much when it's goes to civil court?
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No.

Firstly, unless they send a final letter before action they cant claim any court costs back. So if they go straight to issuing legal paperwork thats a win for you.

Secondly, get yourself 3 quotes from builders to remove and replace 3 bricks. Ideally something that breaks down like

"Cost of 3 bricks: £1.50"
"1 hour labor to remove, replace and repoint 3 bricks: £60"


Keep hold of all the documentation and evidence you asked to inspect the damage, and offered to make it right and all the evidence of your neighbor refusing to do so.

The judge will not look kindly on them for being unreasonable and inflating the costs with no need to do so.
 
Mano said:
Hi All,
Thank you for all your advice.Please find the below email reply from my neighbour

Thanks for your email, on my previous email I asked for the report by his structural engineers who advised him that there’s is no need for structural survey. Rather than providing that he keeps asking for access.
I have clearly explained the process and why it’s important to follow as the property is let out.
We conclude that the issue wouldn’t be settled amicably and take further action necessary as per our legal rights.
If he got a good case he can defend himself in the court, if we are successful with our claim he can pay for damages, legal costs and compensate for the stress we went through in the matter.
Now we enter in to dispute and instruct structural engineers to survey and instruct the builder to carry out remedial work and claim the costs through civil court.
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Is this letter from the neighbour's solicitor?
 
mikehhhhhhh said:
They will be to repair it, though.
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A single brick, from each row, 1 at a time, will not be a problem at all and doesnt need a structural engineer to say the roof of a garage will collapse if you remove one.

Thats just now how it works :D
 
kindai said:
A single brick, from each row, 1 at a time, will not be a problem at all and doesnt need a structural engineer to say the roof of a garage will collapse if you remove one.

Thats just now how it works :D
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You might know this, but the neighbour may not. Hence my point of putting his mind at ease.
 
builder22 said:
why not you/your or just your name rather than he/his!

it doesn't read like a letter directly from your neighbour to you - is it someone else??
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Yes, Its wasn't sent directly to me. He said he wouldn't want to communicate with me directly. so he sent this email to the Police and Police forwarded it to me.
 
Mano said:
Yes, Its wasn't sent directly to me. He said he wouldn't want to communicate with me directly. so he sent this email to the Police and Police forwarded it to me.
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ahhahah so aside from not letting you view or inspect the damage, he wont even talk to you? This gets better.
 
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