Neighbors asking the cost of renovations -- do you tell?

[Anonymous]

I recently re-did my backyard, and have had lots of indirect comments from the neighbors about what it must have cost (comments which I have ignored). I would never volunteer the cost, and personally would never ask what someone spent on a project, but I understand why it could be a reasonable question from someone planning his own project.

Anyway, yesterday a neighbor asked bluntly, and I told him. He ended the conversation abruptly and now I feel like things are awkward. I regret telling. If it matters, the yard is not out of character with the neighborhood and I don't believe I spent more than the norm for a large project.

Would you tell, if asked?

[Anonymous]

I woudl if I thought they were asking because thus wanted to do something similar. I wouldn't if I just thought they were being nosy.

[Anonymous]

Really?? At least tell us the cost...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really?? At least tell us the cost...

+1

[Anonymous]

Huh how much and where do you live? Maybe in certain areas that are gentrifying it may shock the poorer neighbors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I woudl if I thought they were asking because thus wanted to do something similar. I wouldn't if I just thought they were being nosy.

This.

[Anonymous]

I've asked my neighbors what they paid for all sorts of things--bathroom remodels, lawn maintenance, new deck...just so I have a ball park estimate in my back pocket if/when we decide to do it.

It was helpful to know that my neighbor's backyard project was $20k, because then I wasn't going to waste time calling contractors to get quotes--I'd know right away that wasn't in the budget for us.

[Anonymous]

We did a full interior gut of our house. It makes me very uncomfortable when neighbors ask what we spent. Maybe it would be different if we lived here for a while and we knew them. But when we moved in we got a lot of new neighbor visits. They came with the welcome to the neighborhood cookies but also asked if they could see the renovation and asked how much we spent. It was just awkward.

[Anonymous]

Don't ask, don't tell.

I'd reply "I don't remember - I'll get you the guy's business card so you can ask for an estimate."

And conversely, I'd say "Wow your yard looks really beautiful; could you give me the name of your landscaper so I can contact them for an estimate?"

[Anonymous]

If they ask what your home improvement cost, then they may be thinking of doing something similar and are looking for a benchmark price. Personally, I would never ask a neighbor what something cost. However, I have had neighbors comment on how much they spent on a project if I complimented them on the work. The majority of people who wonder what your home upgrade cost just want to know know what they would have to spend to make their property look as nice as yours,

[Anonymous]

If I know the neighbor is trying to do something similar, I have no issue telling them, including saying if the contractor was good or bad. To be nosy, no, I don't say how much.

[Anonymous]

I would not have told. It will always be gossiped about "Susan and Jim spent X on that renovation!" and now all of your neighbors know.

It was rude of him to ask. It was even ruder to ask, get the answer and then treat you awkwardly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't ask, don't tell.

I'd reply "I don't remember - I'll get you the guy's business card so you can ask for an estimate."

And conversely, I'd say "Wow your yard looks really beautiful; could you give me the name of your landscaper so I can contact them for an estimate?"

Agree.

[Anonymous]

I don't ask, I don't tell PERIOD

[Anonymous]

Count me in the 'not paranoid' department.

I would give a range. As in 'I had three estimates and the range was from $XXK to $XXK'.