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You need to say that "while you will endevour not to damage the fabric of the wall, dislodge tiles and fascias, there is a risk that the ivy dislodges mortar and damaged brickwork" they need to agree in writing (an email or text will do) that they acknowledge this risk.
Good luck... its a yucky job
Thanks for the reply. I'll asked for a signed acceptance of the quote and terms.
I've done a couple removals before but none of this size or age. Even those left me covered head to toe in dust. I've got a stash of FFP3 masks I'll put to use.
It is a filthy dirty job. For me removing ivy is a rare event, given that I am almost exclusively grass cutting. But it is a very deceptive task. There is always far more materiel to deal with once it is down than it looks whilst still up on the wall. This is a recent job I did for Chatsworth [I did use two labourers which helped a great deal]. I do a large amount of work [mowing mainly] for them, so they don’t require a price beforehand which is very helpful in these situations, as I would likely have underestimated. So don’t be shy about charging/quoting properly, for the eventuality that it’s worse than it looks..
My Hilux is there for scale. The pile is also higher than the Hilux.
If it is 2ft deep, bewars of nesting birds as well as the other suggestions. I removed a big one probably 30 years ago, up under soffits & into the roof space. I didn't have any PPE on at the time & ended up covered in hives, now allergic to Ivy ffs! I put up with it, but cover up as much as I can. So wear more than a mask, maybe a disposable suit or at least long sleeves. Good luck.
I agree with the comment that you shouldn't really start doing this until after nesting season as many birds use ivy to nest in, particularly but not exclusively robins. Beyond that, I don't envy you a task like that. I agree with wearing as much PPE as you can especially a mask and good eye protection to prevent the dust getting into your eyes and lungs. I hate working with it but it's great for wildlife in the right place.
All very useful and relevant advice above , I would add don't be tempted to over reach up a ladder to grab that tempting strand of dangling ivy , very easy to misjudge and lose your balance .
I find those wolf garten patio weeders and the hook attachment on a long shaft useful for ivy removal .
If it's Boston ivy you can always leave until the leaves have dropped in winter .
Assuming that its a reasonably modern build with lime-free hard pointing its vanishingly unlikely that ivy roots can/would penetrate the structure.In my experience any issues arise on older lime mortar structures-farm buidings etc where the mortar goes powdery with age and the the Ivy turns into its typical 2nd stage shrub growth and ruins,/pulls down the wall capping.However,depending on the brick type-textured?There may well be a secondary task to consider where the Ivies gripping roots leave an unsightly residue on the surface post removal?
Firstly, as Adam has said, make sure you have in writing that you're not liable for any damage. Secondly, don't do it until at least August, it's probably full of nests and it's an offence under the wildlife and countryside act to damage or disturb a nest.
Is cutting the base away, and using glyphosate on the stumps an option? Just so that the ivy dies away and falls off the masonry without taking any mortar and brickwork with it.
In my experience ivy does not go gently into the good night and doesn't like to just let go once it's dead. The adventitious roots tend to cling on for a long time and then it just looks brown and some of the leaves would fall off and make a mess. So I reckon physical removal is the only way and that ironically is probably easier alive than dead despite the dust and so on. I doubt any potential damage to the mortar is reduced by waiting until it's dead. Maybe others have found differently? Of course if it's really thick and long established you could have thick trunks running up the wall. Not sure how easy they'd be to remove.
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