MH8675309
Platinum Member
Consider their financial situation and temper your judgement. You sound like a good neighbor though.
Neighbors and favors.
- Thread starter ror105
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Mace Canute
Elite Member
You already agreed to do it for free so...do what you have given your word to do.
Gents,
I really appreciate all of the heart warming replies. There is no question I was going to do it for free, just how to handle things in the future if the requests become more frequent. And yes, the Christian thing has been to help and in the past that wasn't always my approach but it is these days.
What is the standard for burying electric cable? I did ask him to do a Call Before You Dig and I would be up to do it afterward. Does it need to be below the frost line here in PA...3'???
The beauty of where the work needs done is that it is on enough of a slope that I will be able to do it quickly by just quickly raising the stabilizers to keep moving down the hill.
As far as him renting a trencher, I would just prefer to do it for him. It's dry enough and open enough that it will be done quick enough and I will feel good for helping out another neighbor. The neighborhood hasn't ever felt very warm and inviting, but that is all going to change with my now 8 and 14 year old son and myself helping the older folks out. It will all start with one good deed, right??
Thank you gentleman (and ladies) and may you all have a blessed day!!!
Rob
I really appreciate all of the heart warming replies. There is no question I was going to do it for free, just how to handle things in the future if the requests become more frequent. And yes, the Christian thing has been to help and in the past that wasn't always my approach but it is these days.
What is the standard for burying electric cable? I did ask him to do a Call Before You Dig and I would be up to do it afterward. Does it need to be below the frost line here in PA...3'???
The beauty of where the work needs done is that it is on enough of a slope that I will be able to do it quickly by just quickly raising the stabilizers to keep moving down the hill.
As far as him renting a trencher, I would just prefer to do it for him. It's dry enough and open enough that it will be done quick enough and I will feel good for helping out another neighbor. The neighborhood hasn't ever felt very warm and inviting, but that is all going to change with my now 8 and 14 year old son and myself helping the older folks out. It will all start with one good deed, right??
Thank you gentleman (and ladies) and may you all have a blessed day!!!
Rob
aczlan
Good Morning
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I would bury 1" conduit down 18" or so and pull my wire in that. That way if it needs to be replaced in the future it doesn't have to be dug up.
Aaron Z
Coyote machine
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Do it as you promised- free. BUT make sure whatever you are burying meets local code(s). If not, even though you didn't charge you may be liable. I know, no one thinks things can come back to haunt them, but they can. Without doing it right, by code, you could easily become liable, and even if you do it by code, same deal.
If/when problems occur, the last one to touch whatever it is- trench, cable, etc. is the one who will feel the heat.
This is the potential problem with doing things for no money and still being on the hook when it comes to liability.
Forewarned is forearmed.
If/when problems occur, the last one to touch whatever it is- trench, cable, etc. is the one who will feel the heat.
This is the potential problem with doing things for no money and still being on the hook when it comes to liability.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Garycw
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I agree it needs to be in pvc conduit. It's highly recommended and possibly required to back fill some dirt and lay a electrical "warning" ribbon in there before covering up the rest. If digging, planting in future you'll hit and discover the ribbon first. Your electric provider will most likely give you all you need free.
MMagis
Veteran Member
Let him find out the specifics. You aren't a contractor, and likely aren't insured to cover problems. Let him find out how deep to go, let him decide what conduit/cable, let him lay the cable. As already mentioned, anything that doesn't meet code could come back on you if he's "that kind of neighbor". Dig the ditch, maybe even help him lay the cable, but let him call the shots. Right or wrong.
KubotaToy
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Couple of other threads on neighbors. This is one of them.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/344708-time-another-good-neighbor-thread.html
A few months ago I taking down some large pines and cleaning up stumps with my excavator next to a neighbor whom I have had some property line issues with (he moved survey pins), he came over and asked if I would take down some pine trees on his property that are leaning pretty good and likely to fall on his wood fence. I told I would for the cost of fuel but warned him that I will tear up the ground pretty good moving around and some limbs would break off. I also told him I will dispose of the trees in my tree pile and he could throw any limbs left over over the fence and I would put them in the pile later. He agreed, so I took down 6 very large pines, spend about 3 hours of my time, fuel and wear on my excavator. I burn around 8 gal/hr so I tell him 60 bucks just to make it easy. He tells me I tore up his grass and then tells me since I do not operate equipment for a living, he did not need to pay my anything. Hmmm So, do I write it off and never help him again??? Or, give him back his trees (BTW- this is what my wife wants me to do).
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/344708-time-another-good-neighbor-thread.html
A few months ago I taking down some large pines and cleaning up stumps with my excavator next to a neighbor whom I have had some property line issues with (he moved survey pins), he came over and asked if I would take down some pine trees on his property that are leaning pretty good and likely to fall on his wood fence. I told I would for the cost of fuel but warned him that I will tear up the ground pretty good moving around and some limbs would break off. I also told him I will dispose of the trees in my tree pile and he could throw any limbs left over over the fence and I would put them in the pile later. He agreed, so I took down 6 very large pines, spend about 3 hours of my time, fuel and wear on my excavator. I burn around 8 gal/hr so I tell him 60 bucks just to make it easy. He tells me I tore up his grass and then tells me since I do not operate equipment for a living, he did not need to pay my anything. Hmmm So, do I write it off and never help him again??? Or, give him back his trees (BTW- this is what my wife wants me to do).
mapper
Veteran Member
We have been doing favors for our neighbors for years, and I have found with very few exceptions that at one point or another that we will be paid back. My skills lay in gardening and woodworking, I am a reasonably competent mechanic if it is not too complicated. My next door neighbour is a retired mechanic and industrial fabricator. Another of our close neighbors is a fiercely independent older German lady. She is the most ruthless mole hunter in the neighbourhood, and if asked will watch your place for you if you are going to be gone for awhile. When you return their will be a multi-page report waiting for you and she may well have trapped a bunch of moles as well. She also shares fruit, nuts and produce with everyone.
Needless to say I do not charge for tractor work with my neighbors,if it is something which will take a few hours they always buy fuel without being asked. If the job does not take too long I usually have to be pretty firm with them that they are to buy fuel.
I guess that I have found that a philosophy of "pay it forward" has worked very well for us, in the few cases that someone has not paid us back there has been someone else who more than balanced the books.
Bottom line is good neighbors are worth more than all the gold in the world.
Needless to say I do not charge for tractor work with my neighbors,if it is something which will take a few hours they always buy fuel without being asked. If the job does not take too long I usually have to be pretty firm with them that they are to buy fuel.
I guess that I have found that a philosophy of "pay it forward" has worked very well for us, in the few cases that someone has not paid us back there has been someone else who more than balanced the books.
Bottom line is good neighbors are worth more than all the gold in the world.
