Good call on the photos—never hurts to have evidence handy. Did they at least offer to repair any damage afterward, or was that another hassle altogether? I've seen plenty of "weekend" projects spiral into month-long sagas myself... always makes me wonder, do people genuinely underestimate, or are they just overly optimistic about timelines? Either way, defining clear boundaries upfront saves everyone headaches down the road.
Did they even discuss specifics about the type of repairs they'd do afterward, or was it just a vague promise to "fix things up"? I've seen neighbors start off with good intentions, but when it comes down to details—materials, quality of finish, timelines—things get fuzzy fast. Makes me wonder if people genuinely believe they'll stick to their word or if they're just hoping you'll let it slide later... Have you thought about getting something in writing, just to keep expectations clear?
Years ago, my neighbor asked for something similar—wanted temporary access to move some heavy equipment through my yard. At first, it was all smiles and promises, but when it came time to patch things up, suddenly he "forgot" we'd agreed on sod instead of seed. It wasn't malicious, just genuinely fuzzy memories and assumptions. Getting specifics down in writing isn't about mistrust; it's just clarity for everyone involved. Might feel awkward at first, but trust me, saves headaches later...
I get your point about clarity, but isn't putting it in writing sometimes a bit overkill for neighborly favors? I mean, sure, heavy equipment is one thing, but if it's just temporary driveway access, maybe a simple verbal agreement with a quick follow-up text could do the trick. I've found that overly formalizing small stuff can make neighbors feel you're being overly cautious or suspicious...which might strain things more than necessary. Did you find your neighbor reacted well to having things written down?
Yeah, I tend to agree—a casual text usually does the trick for smaller favors. But I’ve also seen situations where a quick note or email clarifying duration and expectations actually helped avoid misunderstandings later on. For instance, when our neighbors were landscaping, we wrote down the timeline and agreed they'd restore any disturbed areas afterward. It felt a bit formal at first, but honestly, it saved us from awkward conversations later. Guess it depends on your relationship and how complex the request is...
