Retaining Wall Issues - Compromise on Price?

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25 June 2014
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We had a retaining wall built when our house was pegged out but not built yet. We have now been notified by our neighbour that it is built 1 metre into their land, which once by checked by us, realise it has been. So we got the company who built it to fix it and they have now billed us for $1800, should we pay it? They had the plans plenty of time before and the house was all pegged out so had no reason to get it wrong. They did not discuss the price with us before the day they had to re do it and brought the variation the morning of when the machines and people were waiting, my husband felt pressured to sign it to get work under way. Do you think I can at least ask for a compromise on the price?
 

Paul Cott

Well-Known Member
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
26 May 2014
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Ballarat, Victoria
Hi Aleisha,

I would say, based on what you have said, you would be unlikely to be legally liable to pay that fee.

I presume it was pegged out by surveyors? If so, it is likely their error, I would think. Therefore they should pay. The bottom line is, whoever made the error, should pay, I think.

You are right, despite what i say above, if you want the problem to 'go away' you could at least ask for a compromise on price, and or ask the surveyors to contribute - if it was their error.

Hope that helps.

Paul
 
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