What would you do ?

[Bearcat]

Yeah, I don't see any logic in asking him for money 3 years later.... if roles were reversed and he was knocking on your door for money, would you pay it?

I mean, it would be kind of shitty if he knew 3 years ago, saw your yard dug up working on it, and thought... oh nice, free work! But, it's possible he doesn't even know and he had no say in what you did 3 years ago (maybe he would have just opted for his own line then or knew a guy who could do it for less, etc.).

[ROYC75]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, I don't see any logic in asking him for money 3 years later.... if roles were reversed and he was knocking on your door for money, would you pay it?

I mean, it would be kind of shitty if he knew 3 years ago, saw your yard dug up working on it, and thought... oh nice, free work! But, it's possible he doesn't even know and he had no say in what you did 3 years ago (maybe he would have just opted for his own line then or knew a guy who could do it for less, etc.).

In a round about way, yes I do. Would you rather pay for $ 3750.00 plus future repairs & maintenance or 100% installation of your own line & maintenance?

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by ROYC75

In a round about way, yes I do. Would you rather pay for $ 3750.00 plus future repairs & maintenance or 100% installation of your own line & maintenance?

If you had a quote in-hand for a future issue or whatever, and your offer to me was...
- Pay $3750 for something you did 3 years ago without my knowledge AND half this quote, or
- Get your own and maybe pay $10k

...if my half of that future quote is another $3k, so I'm either paying you $7k or figuring it out on my own for a few thousand more, I'd probably do it on my own and think you're kind of a shmuck for asking for half the previous bill.


If you told me tomorrow that I could pay $3750 and split bills 50/50 later, or pay $10k sometime in the future.... I'd tell you to come back when you have a quote for work and we could figure it out then (and then see the first scenario).


And it's also the opportunity cost/sunk cost to you, too... the next time you get a quote for work, would you rather the guy MIGHT give you half that money, or would you rather take your chances that he'd pay the $3750 instead of telling you to shove off and sticking you with the full amount both times?

You don't really have any leverage, IMO.