Whether your neighbors are nosy, noisy, messy, or just plain annoying, bad neighbors are always a little too close for comfort.  If you need an effective solution to- and a little more separation from- your neighbors, consider the words of Robert Frost, “Good fences make good neighbors.”.

Fences provide privacy, keep kids or pets in, keep animals out of landscaping and gardens, provide character, and increase property values. However, to avoid starting a neighborhood feud (or a lawsuit), consider the following:

• It is best to discuss your plans for fencing with your neighbors since they have to live with your fencing decisions as well. Talking to them at first will make it less likely they will be offended when the fence starts to go up. In some cases neighbors who both want a fence agree to share the cost for the portion of the fence they will share.
• Determine exactly where property boundaries lie by finding the lot pins or hiring a surveyor.
• Obtain all permits and check on legal requirements for your area. Many places have placement restrictions, height restrictions, material restrictions, requirements on picket spacing, and minimum setback distances from sidewalks or streets.
• Consider how much maintenance you want to put into the fencing. There are a variety of materials available for fencing, some of which require much more time and money to care for than others.

As you install…

• To ensure the best coverage, finish the fencing before installing it.  Make sure to do your homework on the best product for your needs and your material, including climate and maintenance specifications.
• If you have children or pets you want to keep in or out, take into consideration the opening mechanism (or a lock). Additionally, certain products allow the gate to swing closed automatically.
• To avoid rotting wood and insect infestation, keep the fence from dragging or getting too near the ground. A general rule is fencing should be raised 4 to 6 inches, as the fence will settle some over time.

Good relationships between neighbors is part of what makes our communities great. And sometimes a little fencing makes it easier to maintain a good relationship.

Post by Lyndsey Van Soelen, Communications Intern Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Tags: add a fence, bad neighbors, buy a home, Buying a home, fence, fences, good fences make good neighbors, neighbors, problem neighbors, sell a home

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 at 9:38 am and is filed under Current Homeowners, Home Improvement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.