Ethics on clearing neighbor's drive ways and private lane

[KYKub]

As others have said, if you begrudge doing the service, that should serve as a warning. I'm all about being a good neighbor, but it does sound like you are going beyond the call of duty.

I'm thankful to live among good neighbors. I've lived here for 20 years, and I'm by far the "newcomer" among my 3 contiguous neighbors! We ask each other for virtually nothing, but would likely jump to give if any has a need. I often mow and plow snow for one neighbor; not because he needs it necessarily, I just like him and happen to have equipment. I enjoy it. Plus, he's a lawyer and former judge - I need to bank some goodwill!

 

[1MOA]

Stop plowing them out and see what happens. I would bet after the first time they have to pay a contractor they will see things in a different light!

This.... only has to happen once. they are calling for snow Tuesday, just do your drive and a way out and sit back and wait...

 

[Sprinklerman]

During the storm a guy asked me to do his drive , he said " theres a case of beer in it for you " . Thanks ,but a case of beer is 20 bucks , and a drive like this is $ 150 to clear , the math doesnt sound too good for me .

 

[lilranch2001]

You already know the right answer- if not liking the job, quit. No one asked you to do it; no one seems to care that you're doing it - you're not pleased with the neighbor's attitudes, so stop doing it. They have no reason to change anything- only YOU can take control of the situation. So do it, or not, you have the power to control the outcome.

:thumbsup:unch:

 

[Terry1040]

I live on a 1500' driveway shared by 3 other houses. I am the last one on the driveway and I have easement over the other 3 parcels. No one has easement over my parcel since I am at the end. So I clear the common portion in return for "driving on" their property. The driveway is paved and well defined. The neighbor closest just had a stroke so I clear his driveway. Another one is seventy something but holding his own, Someday I may need to do his and gladly would. No issues so far.

Tom - Sounds like you are a great neighbor. We all should be, but not everyone is receptive to good neighbors. I have a couple of great neighbors in town where I live. We do small things for each other, but not enough ! Have a great 2016 !

 

[Dale Mercer]

I did have a 70 hp tractor with a 8 foot snow blower. For about ten years I clean my close neighbors drive ways and deep drifts on the road. Neighbors paid or bartered. One day I was blowing out a big drift and a guy down the road cussed me out for being in the wrong lane. The only lane open was the one I just opened up. He could not have went any where if I had not open up the road. I thought why I'm sending my money and time for jerks like that. I sold the tractor and snow blower.

 

[nikerret]

This winter, we have had just over two inches of snow. I took the new BX out and did my driveway and two neighbors. One is the guy who helped me trim my trees. The other is in Florida and I wanted his house to look lived in, still. He has used his snow blower, the last two winters, when we had snow.

I then drive 1.2 miles to he gas station, to refuel, after I did the street, in front of my house. The City only does main routes, not neighborhoods. They do like to make a huge pile at the ends, so no one can get in or out, though. One year, we had several inches snow everyone in and they spent almost three hours doing to sidewalks to the City Park no one could get to. They used three pieces of equipment to get this done.

On my way home, I saw an elderly woman (70's) had just started shoveling her driveway. I offered to do it, explaining I didn't have insurance and would do it for free, but would also accept donations. After hers, I went around and knocked on doors, offering to do them, for free, but taking donations. I explained it was a new tool I wasn't very good with and I would not be liable, if I screwed up. I ended up doing six driveways and came home with $175. Took me about two and a half hours.

I had already priced commercial liability insurance, which I am getting whether I do any actual commercial stuff, or not. Rate I was quoted was $439 for up to $1M coverage, per incident. This covers everything above and below ground, so long as I am the operator of the tractor. Pretty freaking cheap, if anything goes wrong.

 

[ultrarunner]

Good to hear the BX performed well... wasn't sure if you would need to add ballast or chain up...

 

[Gcorron]

When we moved here 32 years ago, there was a guy 4 houses down who owned a one backhoe service. He is the nicest, most considerate gent you could ever want to know. He also owned 17 acres, already approved for a subdivision in the 50's in Fairfax County. He always came out if it snowed more than a few inches, and plowed the 9 houses out in the 'hood. He would not accept a penny, ever.

When economic forces caught up and bought him out, my neighbor who owns a Bobcat, and I took over the 'service'. Some folks we never hear from, some try to kill us with banana bread, brownies, cookies, etc.. Much appreciated but we just consider it carrying on the tradition.

Three of the neighbors would not be able to shovel their way out due to age or disability, so we consider ourselves fairly well blessed to be able to do it for them.

George

 

[Otto Syracuse]

Had the tractor out today plowing my driveway, my neighbor was out trying to shovel out 6" of wet heavy slush in her 100 foot driveway. 3 or 4 passes and I had it cleared for her. Not planning to make a habit of it, but today's snow was exceptional, and a heart attack waiting to happen!