Privet hedge v garden wall

[eltel]

The co-owner of a property I own (ex council house) wants to rip up the privet hedge and replace it with wall. Will this add value to the property? Its a modest ex-council semi - any rough idea how much a wall would cost?

[kev100]

eltel,

The only way you will find the answer to this question is to ring several builders in the yellow pages and ask for a quotation for the job.

Make damn sure that they dont charge for giving you a quote, if any of them ask for a �50 call out charge PUT THE PHONE DOWN.

[ianess]

What exactly do you mean by "co-owner"?   If as I suspect you mean the other half of the semi then I would think that if he wanted to build a wall on his property it shouldn't cost you a penny.  Only if you jointly agree will you be liable for half the cost, but get a few quotations before you do anything.   If a wall cuts down on your light it may be detrimental to the value, but then again another buyer may like the extra privacy.

[Matthew T]

If the hedge is in good order, healthy and well trimmed I think most potential buyers would prefer that. than bicks and mortar.

[spudqueen]

I agree Matthew T, I'd prefer hedge to fence or wall anytime.

[eltel]

Just to clarify, I inherited the property when my mother died last year.  I now co-own the property with my sister who still lives there (but I don�t).

The terms of the will were that she can continue living there as long as she likes and is responsible for all upkeep and insurance.  But replacing the hedge with a wall goes beyond upkeep in my opinion.   I don�t have any objections in principle, but only if it adds value (or at least doesn�t de-value!). It�s a semi-detached, pre-war ex-council house.

Grateful for your thoughts!!

[kazza55]

Just an opinion,but if I were buying a semi I would prefer a hedge to be there rather than a wall. I always think a bit of greenery around a house looks nicer.