I have had the same neighbors for almost ten years behind me. Their back yard and mine meet at my chain linked fence. He is about 60. I am friendly with his wife and family and we chat over the fence from time to time but not too much because it is at the back of our properties. Twice in the past he has backed his farm equip or yard service trucks into the fence and I would make light of it but let it be known I knew about it and he would say he would get to it but he never did .. so I eventually had the posts repaired and concreted. Now it has happened again and with all the wind it has damaged more on down the fencing due to the lack of support in the section that has been ruined and I am just not up to putting more money into something I did not break but yet do not want on bad terms with my neighbors. Sometimes people do not like being called on things and I would hate to ruin a good relationship but I paid out of pocket the other two times and he never even acknowledged that I fixed it and not him. he is older, works and runs a yard service business but busy or not I feel he should fix it.. as of yet again, he has not and the damage is spreading .. meaning more will have to be fixed. Please advise Serious answers only please to receive +

You say it's an unspoken problem, speak to him again. Like you say he is older and busy, there is a good chance it has just slipped his mind.

Age 60 and doing yard work for a living? Hm. It may very well be that his heart is in the right place but he does not have the money to make repairs. The older generation gets embarrassed when they are poor, or have to ask for help its a matter of pride and proper upbringing. Also at his later age he may have simply forgotten. Since he 'made light' about it he most likely doesn't see the fence as a very important thing the scheme of things. But we don't know since it is obvious you haven't talked to him about it. While fences make for good neighbors, there should be a networking with your neighbors. While I do not go over every day to our neighbors, I know them by name, I have enough awareness of them to know what is 'normal' traffic there and we are all on terms where talking about boundary issues (fences, fallen trees, growing ivy, etc) is easy. I bet if you approach the guy and both look at the fence together and you express your concerns and desires for a better fence that he will 'reveal' the deep mystery of why he hasn't gotten 'round to it'. If the wind is bringing down the fence then it is most likely time to discuss total removal and replacement not mere fence mending. If you are more comfortable talking facts and figures, get a few estimates for just the materials and get a few for materials and labor. Most companies give free estimates now days. Decide how much you are willing to pay. You should strive for half. No you didn't break it all, but neither did he the wind is a factor here. I would assume if you approach him with the numbers and show a real honest interest (not a vindictive, hateful approach) he will either be able to pay or willing to do labor.

Aww Snooch ... that's not good :( Your question and explanation here seem so well put that i wonder if you could simply write a letter to the same effect and drop it in their mailbox. This would give them time to consider what you are saying without them having to directly discuss it and make a decision. You could ask them to let you kwow a suitable time to discuss their thoughts on the subject :)