Neighbour request to join rear extensions

serco

Hi All

Looking for some advice and views as to whether I should contact an engineer/architect on the below or if it's straight forward.

A number of years ago we built an single story extension onto the back of our house, semi d. Based on views of the engineer/builders we built up to the boundary wall (which is circa 2 feet high, concrete blocks on the side, not on the flat) with our neighbour to the side.

So the boundary wall is still intact. In hindsight it would have probably been better to build a new supporting wall on the boundary for both parties but there were other circumstances at the time making this difficult.

We now have new neighbours and they are also planning to extend out the back as well. They have asked if they can join up to ours. while joining them will look aesthetically better, I'm not keen on them joining straight onto our property as they will cross the boundary in doing so and potentially creating issues down the line.

What are my options here? is it possible to build a supporting wall on the boundary now, join it to my property and then they build off this? At the end of the day i'd prefer not to leave a gap of a few inches between the extensions to collect rubbish, etc.

Bear in mind that they are not using engineers or architects for any of this work.

thanks

Hoboo

serco wrote: »

Bear in mind that they are not using engineers or architects for any of this work.

thanks

Your neighbours aren't two brothers by any chance, last name 'Chuckle' ?

Gumbo

serco wrote: »

Hi All

Looking for some advice and views as to whether I should contact an engineer/architect on the below or if it's straight forward.

A number of years ago we built an single story extension onto the back of our house, semi d. Based on views of the engineer/builders we built up to the boundary wall (which is circa 2 feet high, concrete blocks on the side, not on the flat) with our neighbour to the side.

So the boundary wall is still intact. In hindsight it would have probably been better to build a new supporting wall on the boundary for both parties but there were other circumstances at the time making this difficult.

We now have new neighbours and they are also planning to extend out the back as well. They have asked if they can join up to ours. while joining them will look aesthetically better, I'm not keen on them joining straight onto our property as they will cross the boundary in doing so and potentially creating issues down the line.

What are my options here? is it possible to build a supporting wall on the boundary now, join it to my property and then they build off this? At the end of the day i'd prefer not to leave a gap of a few inches between the extensions to collect rubbish, etc.

Bear in mind that they are not using engineers or architects for any of this work.

thanks

Could the works facilitate the removal of your flank wall along the boundary, build up a new solid wall centered on the boundary and extend your roof over with new parapet wall and valley gutter each side.

You both get the max space possible and you actually gain some space.

serco

thanks Kceire, do you mean remove the wall of our extension on their side? its possible but would mean opening up a wall into our room for a number of weeks while they finish the works.

it's a good idea though; cost could be an issue, ive no idea how much it would cost me and there's the issue with no professional oversight of the works; I'd probably have to get my own professional involved.

sky6

Firstly what Kceire says is definitely the way to go. It's a win win situation and a better job al round.
I had a similar situation many years ago, In my case as I was making the request so I offered to pay for the Blocks and the Building of the Wall.
At the time I felt the cost was minimal and I was achieving maximum size to my new room and a better job al round. In your case you will achieve the same.
Perhaps you can discuss it with your neighbour along those lines. He pays for the Blocks and the build of the new Wall, as he's going to have to pay anyway no matter where the wall is built. You could even ask him if he'll pay for the re plastering too. Again not a big expense as he will no doubt be getting his own work plastered. Get both Roofs flashed at the same time and job done.
If you where willing to contribute to the costs it shouldn't be any more than 2 to 3 hundred mainly for labour. It shouldn't take any more than a Week.

sky6

Firstly what Kceire says is definitely the way to go. It's a win win situation and a better job al round.
I had a similar situation many years ago, In my case as I was making the request so I offered to pay for the Blocks and the Building of the Wall.
At the time I felt the cost was minimal and I was achieving maximum size to my new room and a better job al round. In your case you will achieve the same.
Perhaps you can discuss it with your neighbour along those lines. He pays for the Blocks and the build of the new Wall, as he's going to have to pay anyway no matter where the wall is built. You could even ask him if he'll pay for the re plastering too. Again not a big expense as he will no doubt be getting his own work plastered. Get both Roofs flashed at the same time and job done.
If you where willing to contribute to the costs it shouldn't be any more than 2 to 3 hundred mainly for labour. It shouldn't take any more than a Week.

Shermanator

If they cross the boundary you may for sure have issues when selling on.

Gumbo

serco wrote: »

thanks Kceire, do you mean remove the wall of our extension on their side? its possible but would mean opening up a wall into our room for a number of weeks while they finish the works.

it's a good idea though; cost could be an issue, ive no idea how much it would cost me and there's the issue with no professional oversight of the works; I'd probably have to get my own professional involved.

This will have to be built into an agreed price.
If you can both agree on an Engineer overseeing at least the common wall construction, then you could construct that first, and then only when required, open up your wall and extend your side.

Be open an honest with the neighbor, tell them that if you allow their extension to continue over the boundary line then there WILL be problems later on if either go to sell. Tell them you know it will cost extra to do the new common wall method but you are prepared to pay a nominal amount towards it, maybe you offer to pay the Engineer fees. It should only cost a couple of hundred and then you will be left with a builders finish so a small amount to decorate the additional area of your extension, but its certainly the best way to go if you both can agree to it.

Otherwise, the best way to go it to keep the boundary and tell them to build on their side.