Many houses in the US neighborhoods share their fences with their neighbors. In most cases, you share at least one side of your fencing wall with your neighbors, but there are also cases when you share fences on both sides of your backyard. Often, you can share the back fence as well. Regardless of the number of fences you are installing, you want your fence installation experience to be positive, and you want to respect your neighbors.
This blog will explore the importance of maintaining good fencing etiquette to keep your neighbors happy.
Fencing Etiquette Tips for Sharing Fence with Neighbors
Information on Who Owns the Fence
Whether you want to maintain or replace a fence, if there is already a fence between you and your neighbor, you should first want to find out who owns the fence before starting the project. If you own the fence, you can proceed with your fencing project. But if the fence belongs to your neighbor, you need to consult them to start the project.
While approaching the neighbors, prepare a list of reasons why you think it is necessary to maintain or repair the fence. It is important to keep the conversation rational, as it will help convince them that you want to maintain or replace the fence. In many cases, you and your neighbor can be responsible for the fence as you use it. In this scenario, you should convey your neighbor’s expectations so you are aligned without conflict.
Define the Property Line for Installing New Fences
It’s best to take a few minutes before your project to confirm where your property ends and to communicate your project plans to your neighbors.
You should always double-check if you have your property line property defined. This can help you avoid having issues with your neighbors in the future. Legally, a fence can be installed only on your property, not your neighbors’. If you accidentally install fences on your neighbor’s property, they might take legal action against you and take down the fences, wasting your money and time.
You need to examine your home survey report to define your property line. The property line will be defined clearly in the report. But if you do not have your survey report, you need to get in touch with your country’s record office. In the worst-case scenario, the record office might not record your survey report. Then, you need to hire a land surveyor to get the survey done. Also, a survey will not be needed if you have an existing fencing wall. Instead of the existing one, you can install the new fence from Duramax, a popular vinyl fence manufacturer.
Consult With Your Neighbor
It is important to consult with your neighbor while starting to plan a fencing project. While planning your fencing project, you should discuss the design with your neighbor. It is important to share a clear idea with your neighbor about what you are trying to achieve, whether to enhance your property’s aesthetic or safety and security. It is important to consider how the neighborhood looks like and the requirements stated by the Homeowner Association (HOA). If neighbors agree to install the fence, they often contribute to the fencing cost because it benefits both parties.
Maintain Your Fences
If you have a fence installed or have recently installed one, you need to maintain it. This will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property and benefit your neighbor. Wooden fences require more maintenance as they can get damaged and turn yellow. In contrast, vinyl fences from reputed vinyl fence manufacturer Duramax are low-maintenance and do not require regular maintenance.
Share Your Plans With Your Neighbors
It is crucial for you to share the plan for starting your fencing project in case they want to share the cost or are bothered by the noise. It will be convenient for them if they are aware of your fencing project. In case of fence replacement, it is advisable to inform your neighbors with pets to keep their pets away from the fencing wall for at least 24 hours to avoid any mishaps. This ensures you have happy neighbors.
Choosing the Fencing Material
It is important to choose a material that will complement the rest of the fence designs in your neighborhood when installing a fence. If you live in a neighborhood where everyone has classic and old-school designs, then installing a modern fence design will appear odd.
Types of Neighbor-Friendly Fences
You should opt for neighbor-friendly fences that have both good sides to avoid conflict of giving the good side to your neighbor. Some of the different types of neighbor-friendly fences are:
Horizontal Fences: These fences have a board style with a contemporary design.
Shadowbox Fence: Shadowbox fences come with separate panels that allow light to pass through, casting long shadows.
Lattice Fence: Lattice fences are a great addition to your property as they offer a decorative crisscross pattern.
Final Words
Thus, maintaining this fencing etiquette helps keep your neighbors happy. Thus, if you want to invest in a good quality fencing material, vinyl is your ideal choice. Duramax is a renowned vinyl fence manufacturer in the US. Our fences are manufactured using 100% virgin vinyl, resulting in their strength and durability. Duramax fences come with a transferable limited lifetime warranty and are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions without warping, breaking, or cracking. Our fences are ASTM quality standard certified. You can get your vinyl fences customized according to your fencing requirements. Book your free consultation today!
