Block Wall Construction - Need Advice

That's a tough situation. If you're really not interested in putting up a new wall though, the best approach is to be honest with your neighbor. Explain your feelings and express your appreciation that he came to you about the wall in the first place. He should understand.

 

So somehow he expects you to pay 1/2 the cost?

I just moved 2 years ago and "got" neighbors for the first time ever. If I'm going to build a fence/wall to create privacy for myself...I certainly don't expect any neighbor to split the cost.... I'm new to this.

If he wants a new fence, he pays for it.....(uneducated opinion).

As for cement block, I certainly don't live or work in CA, but a block wall seems like an overall bad idea (I know they do it all the time). Cement blocks are cheap and you pay for the labor to errect it. Pre-fabed wooden or PVC fence cost more in materials, but less time to put up....pick your evil.

Again...being a newbie to "neighbor policy".....IMO one quake... the thing cracks.... that would be hard to fix propery. A nice wooden fence with standards every 8' would be easy to repair in sections if something ever happens.

Tree roots will be more of a problem with a block wall since the whole span of the wall is on the ground (and tree roots have surprising strength). A fence built with posts'/sections will be less effected by growing trees in the long run.

Best plan is to openly discuss the plan with your neighbor....

Keep us informed.

 

I don't know the prices where you live but in Tn., it costs about $3.5/block to get laid. The block is 16" long and 8" tall. For a 6' wall you will need 9 blocks tall plus maybe one or two depending on frost heave below ground. You also have to dig a footing, rebar and concrete. Footing 2' wide and 1' thick at 200/cy. So according to me the wall costs about $42 dollars a running foot. That is no mark up for a contractor or profit. I would guess that at 25% on a little job so it would now cost about $53/ft. If you factor in the costs for your area I would think the price would end up at $80/ft. That's not painted or stained. Chances are that that would be done. That would add $10/Ft to do both sides of the wall. Well you have to dress up the yard a little from all the construction mess and debris as well.

 

A 6 foot block wall will need a proper foundation (reinforced poured concrete footing). This will require cutting out any roots in the path. You are fortunately in a warm place (in Minnesota there would need to be 4 feet of wall below grade).

Where would the wall be situated (his side of the line, your side, down the middle)?

The easy answer is that if he wants it, he pays to have it built on his side of the property line. The reality of neighbor relations is never that simple though.

 

Agreed. Had a problem like this a few years ago.

The simple solution is to tell him you are not interested in a wall of that type and / or at that expense. You will continue to help maintain the current one of course, but if he wants one like that, he is on his own. You will not object if he should decide to build it on his own dime and 100% on his property. If however he should want it on the line itself, you reserve the right to make sure it is not outlandish like day-glow orange or something like that.

 

As per 2NA post the guy will have to build the wall at least 18" to 24" on his side of the property line if you don't agree to split the cost. Guess what, you just gained square footage.

 

Depends on the State/County. I built one slap dab on the line on one of my properties in NC, no problem.

 

High winds are not a poorly rooted tree's friend. One would hope neither of you has to find this out for yourselves. He needs to deep-irrigate his trees, as shallow watering causes surface roots. Even with that, he'd still have to cut roots in order to put fence up, thus further weakening already tenuous root system.

It is for not dissimilar reasons of stability that below-grade pours/fencing are done, as applicable per climate zone.

If two fences had been built at the same time - one of the current type and one of the proposed type; the current fence would definitely have fared better. Your pipes are evidence of how seemingly immovable things buckle.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If he still wishes to have his dream fence, the current fence stays intact, and he does it on his dime. Even if the old fence came down, he'd still need to do it on his dime. Should he press this further, the ace up your sleeve is the actual out-of-pocket expense associated with the previous damage, to be deducted from "your share" of the cost. Any expense related to the trees on his side are his problem. If that proves argumentative, or too great an obstacle for him to overcome, the fence stays intact. Hopefully, the friendship does too.

 

Perhaps it's just me but I would never even consider asking a neighbor to help pay for a wall or fence that I wanted to build. I like my neighbors but don't think a "partnership" is a good idea. Someone always ends up feeling screwed. I'd build it if I wanted it (discuss it with the neighbor first) but I wouldn't ask for help.

When the ground shakes (2 days after the wall is finished) the inflexible wall will need some expensive repair.

 

Get your own quote from a wall builder. I don't trust anyone when it comes to money.

 

You could probably get better pricing using just a block mason contractor instead of a G.C. for a simple project like this. At the above suggested pricing of $80 / ft, the total project would be around $6500. I would bet the bldg. dept. in your area will require the entire structure (including foundation) be put on one property and not encroach on the other. So if the neighbor puts it on theirs you will gain soime yard as someone else said. I'd explain that to the neighbor and offer maybe $2-3k towards the cost as a 'thanks for the yard' money. The foundation of the wall should provide a root barrier for the neighbor's trees. I would recommend a solid pruning of the trees when the roots are cut back to prevent wind damage in the near future while the root system re-establishes itself. In my opinion a split face block wall would add value compared to a wooden fence, for aesthtics, maintenance, and privacy. All things that future buyers would value.

BT

 

This is all good advice but why does he think a block wall is needed? What's he doing over there? It is a lot of money and trouble for basicly a heavy duty fence. A wooden or PVC fence of this length could installed in one day.

As far as you paying for any of it, he's nuts. His idea= his dime.

 

Most areas have set back rule unless both parties are in agreement.

 

Just as a side note. Most water utilities will adjust your large water bill if it is due to a broken sprinkler system.

 

+1

I actually grew up in a house with a fenceless backyard. There was a fence for the house directly behind us. However, there was none to our left. Which was great because it just expanded our area for games.

 

This is truth.

Oh and I would suspect he wants a block wall as he thinks it is pretty.

 

Except it's not. Most areas allow to-the-property line fence construction without the neighbors consent (except for front yards) and on-the-property line construction with an agreement with the neighbor.

That's why almost all of suburban America has backyard fences on the property line, they don't have individual fences/per back yard with gaps between them and the neighbors fence.

 

Yes. I've worked for two cities and both would do this. If you have a receipt for the repair or if you did yourself and can explain it well enough to the service worker who will visit your house, they should give you an adjustment. Especially if your water bill is combined with your sewer rates because the sprinkler water didn't enter the sewer system and require treatment so if they don't forgive the whole thing, they should at least make an adjustment for that.

 

You might be safe depending on your HOA, mine would not approve guaranteed. If they do, I would make sure you know what type of concrete block he is planning on since there are serveral types of split faced block. Seem like a ton of work and/or money. I could see it if he wanted to stucco the wall and make it look real nice.

 

the cost seems about right provided the wall is solid grouted and reinforced. if done properly it would last 50 years +. split face means one side of the block is smooth and the other has a stone type of look to it without getting into detail.