Broken gas light from falling tree limb

Posted by Terry on October 18, 2006, 1:30 pm

I have lighted entrances at my driveway. Because of my health, the
maintenance of my home had been almost nil for about 5 years. I am
feeling better now so I am trying to make some improvements.

I had a guy climb a tree and cut it down. The tree limb fell on one of
my gas lights that illuminate the driveway.

The house is 35 years old. I admit that the lights were not kept
clean. The entrance and the lamps have algae on them.

Anyway, I called to check on the replacing one of the lamps. They
don't make them anymore. New lights are $150 a piece and the estimate
to replace both of them is $700.

What would you consider a fair compromise to resolving the issue. The
first layer of bricks were knocked loose but it only chipped one of
them. I would be ok with just having the bricks mortared back. You
can't get anyone to your house for under 75$

Here are the pics

http://i11.tinypic.com/47dr4f6.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/4gyda3p.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/2vbmn4p.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/2lbp24l.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/4bz4cq9.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/42sbuw9.jpg
http://i11.tinypic.com/334un8g.jpg

Posted by on October 18, 2006, 1:51 pm

Terry wrote:

> I have lighted entrances at my driveway. Because of my health, the
> maintenance of my home had been almost nil for about 5 years. I am
> feeling better now so I am trying to make some improvements.
> I had a guy climb a tree and cut it down. The tree limb fell on one of
> my gas lights that illuminate the driveway.
> The house is 35 years old. I admit that the lights were not kept
> clean. The entrance and the lamps have algae on them.
> Anyway, I called to check on the replacing one of the lamps. They
> don't make them anymore. New lights are $150 a piece and the estimate
> to replace both of them is $700.
> What would you consider a fair compromise to resolving the issue. The
> first layer of bricks were knocked loose but it only chipped one of
> them. I would be ok with just having the bricks mortared back. You
> can't get anyone to your house for under 75$
> Here are the pics
> http://i11.tinypic.com/47dr4f6.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/4gyda3p.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/2vbmn4p.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/2lbp24l.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/4bz4cq9.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/42sbuw9.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/334un8g.jpg

I would regard it as an insurance claim for the guy doing the tree
work. Check your contract with him .

Posted by Jeff Wisnia on October 18, 2006, 2:57 pm

Terry wrote:

So, was the "guy" a certified arborist, or just some dumbo who didn't
know what he was doing and probably has no general liability insurance
or enough assets to want to do the right thing by you?

I certainly hope you don't pay for the tree work until you resolve the
damage issue.

>
> The house is 35 years old. I admit that the lights were not kept
> clean. The entrance and the lamps have algae on them.
>
> Anyway, I called to check on the replacing one of the lamps. They
> don't make them anymore. New lights are $150 a piece and the estimate
> to replace both of them is $700.
>
> What would you consider a fair compromise to resolving the issue. The
> first layer of bricks were knocked loose but it only chipped one of
> them. I would be ok with just having the bricks mortared back. You
> can't get anyone to your house for under 75$

If it was me, I'd look around for a craftsman who could repair that
damaged lamp. It looks like it just needs some straightening, new glass
and perhaps a new bulb socket and bulb. I'd definitely go with
remortaring the olde bricks, new ones will stick out like a sore thumb.

I have a feeling that even if the "guy" does carry liability insurance
the claims adjuster would give you a hard time over the "depreciated
value" of those lights and would probably balk at replacing BOTH of them.

Good luck,

Jeff

P.S. You could try asking at misc.legal.moderated

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

Posted by HeyBub on October 18, 2006, 7:34 pm

Terry wrote:

> I have lighted entrances at my driveway. Because of my health, the
> maintenance of my home had been almost nil for about 5 years. I am
> feeling better now so I am trying to make some improvements.
> I had a guy climb a tree and cut it down. The tree limb fell on one
> of my gas lights that illuminate the driveway.
> The house is 35 years old. I admit that the lights were not kept
> clean. The entrance and the lamps have algae on them.
> Anyway, I called to check on the replacing one of the lamps. They
> don't make them anymore. New lights are $150 a piece and the estimate
> to replace both of them is $700.
> What would you consider a fair compromise to resolving the issue. The
> first layer of bricks were knocked loose but it only chipped one of
> them. I would be ok with just having the bricks mortared back. You
> can't get anyone to your house for under 75$
> Here are the pics
> http://i11.tinypic.com/47dr4f6.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/4gyda3p.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/2vbmn4p.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/2lbp24l.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/4bz4cq9.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/42sbuw9.jpg
> http://i11.tinypic.com/334un8g.jpg

Are you talking about a piece of glass, cut to size at Home Depot, for
$3.00, and some mortar-looking caulk for $5.00?

Posted by Terry on October 18, 2006, 8:21 pm

> Are you talking about a piece of glass, cut to size at Home Depot, for
> $3.00, and some mortar-looking caulk for $5.00

You can't tell from the pictures that the light has broken at the weld
at the bottom? The light has to be replaced. The lights have a gas
hookup to them. If the limb broke the gas line then it will have to be
repaired as well.

Changing a light fixture with a gas hookup is not a small thing. You
want to come over and make the repairs for $8?

How is your welding?

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