Cost coverage for fencing that is not desired

Oh, I am so glad not to have built a semi-detached house – exactly for this reason: one says this, the other that, and each considers themselves more important than the other. There is no sense of community.

Talk to him, tell him what you want and what you can afford. Find a compromise that pleases you both – otherwise you will not be happy.

Ok, I'll repeat myself: how do you feel about the sentences: "We have now commissioned a landscape gardener to fence off the property for us. It is customary to split the costs in half, will you take care of that then?"

Yes, that perhaps wasn't very constructive on his part. But his semi-detached house seems to have been standing for a year or more. Maybe he was just on pins and needles waiting for the second half to finally be built. And now you are there and he wants to finally be finished. Maybe he didn't think of you then. So, second and third attempt and see how the talks go and make a joint plan. You might still be able to buy some time for the execution, since construction work is still taking place at your place.

My neighbor also pressured regarding the shared border timing back then, even though we hadn't even moved in yet, so I can understand you. I don't know how busy the garden landscapers are now, but there have been times when people waited 2 years. So if he now has the garden landscaper available, he certainly doesn't want to do the rest only in the next free slot 2 years from now.

You will live next to him for the next few years. I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it but approach it constructively. And maybe also mention that you’re currently not ready for it. Maybe he is also understanding.

I have said that several times already, but he doesn’t care. He wants to start now.

My neighbor also pushed for timing regarding the shared border back then, even though we hadn’t even moved in yet, so I can understand you. I don’t know how busy the landscapers are now, but there were times when you had to wait 2 years. So if he now has the landscaper available, he certainly doesn’t want to do the rest only in the next free slot in 2 years.

Actually, since yesterday the mini-excavator has been in his garden... So he seems to be quite advanced already

It's just about a fence. He looks away anyway if it should be ugly or can be greened. You're currently spending several hundred thousand euros on a house. So 300 euros for a fence will also be affordable. Winter jasmine makes every fence beautiful. I would simply pay and then discuss what you would prefer. Maybe it will work out, maybe not. As I said, a good neighborhood is important, the fence is not.