I'm having a fence installed. The estimator told me that they usually install it a foot from the property line. He said that some people share the cost with their neighbors and put it on the property line.
he said if I wanted to I could ask my neighbors on each side if they wanted it to this. Splitting the cost would save me about $750 on each side (no neighbors in the back). It's a new neighborhood so we've all just moved in. Both neighbors are nice and stopped by to introduce themselves but other that I don't know them.
i feel weird about asking them this. I'm thinking no but then again maybe they'd want to do and I'd be doing them a favor. Idk what do you think?
If you want your neighbors to split the cost of a shared fence on the lot line, are you also going to let them have input on the style of the fence and maintenance?
If you want your neighbors to split the cost of a shared fence on the lot line, are you also going to let them have input on the style of the fence and maintenance?
Well there's really no input on style because HOA is strict about that. Options are cedar or pine. I'm doing pine because the fence is ridiculously expensive to begin with, I can't budge on that. Ugh hadn't thought about maintenance. Ya know I really don't think I want to get into joint ownership of anything with anyone let alone strangers
Post by spunkarella on Mar 28, 2015 14:07:43 GMT -5
I would ask, especially since it's a new subdivision. They may be planning their own fences, and it would be win win.
Would someone have the back side of the fence, or would you put planks on both sides of the posts? If there are planks on both sides, I think maintenance would be pretty straight forward. Even with one set of planks, shared maintenance isn't a big deal IMO. At best, you save costs there as well. At worst, you do it all yourself which you were planning to do anyway.
It's a totally normal thing to ask. Ask. Sometimes they'll alternate which way the fence "faces" if you're splitting the cost. Maintenance isn't a huge issue; if you're planning to pay for it all right now, what have you got to lose?
I would much rather deal with a share fence and the occasional issue that might come up than the continual maintenance issue of a 2 for strip between fences. But only once have I been in a house where I was the only fence. Everywhere else I've lived, everyone's yard was fenced and everyone shared.
Post by shamrockshake on Mar 28, 2015 15:13:57 GMT -5
I'd ask, what's the harm? When we moved in both sides had fences, thankfully the same as each other and the same we wanted and we asked if we could hook up to theirs and it wasn't an issue. If something happened and they needed to redo it I'd have no problem splitting that portion that we use too. The only other option is to pay for it ourselves and have two fences running the same side which is so odd to me
Fence on the property line is the norm here and yes you all to split it. Even if they don't split it, if they OK the work it can still be in the line. Don't make your yard smaller with a goofy gap between fences.
If they have dogs, then I would carefully consider whether to put it on a shared property line, because if their dogs destroy it and they don't pay to fix it, then you'll have increased maintenance fees. Other than dogs, our 10-years of wooden fence maintenance has been nothing, zip, zero, nada.
I suggest you talk to them and make the offer. It feeds good will and communication.
Our house is older and all the fences exist on the property lines. The "nice" side faces our house on all 3 sides (I assume this means our house was completed first or the first owner was the first to build the fence). Our backyard neighbor's dogs have started breaking the fence trying to get into our backyard, but the neighbor has been great and even replaced 2 planks. We never talk to this neighbor, but it's good to know he's an honest guy taking responsibility for his pets.
If you plan to live there 30 years, be careful where neighbors plant trees. Our fence has to bend around a huge tree that was probably planted 30 years ago in the neighbor's yard, too close to the fence.
I wonder if two fences separated by 6 inches invites critters to live in the safe space in between. Anyone have evidence on if two fences are better than one?
I've never heard of anyone asking to share the cost of a fence. It's definitely not normal here (MN). Unless it's not legal to put the fence ON the property line, I would build it and pay for it myself.
I've never heard of anyone asking to share the cost of a fence. It's definitely not normal here (MN). Unless it's not legal to put the fence ON the property line, I would build it and pay for it myself.
What? Totally normal in MN. I can think of a handful of people that I know that did this off the top of my head.
OP, yes I would ask. "Hey. Just stopped over to let you know my husband and I are planning on getting a fence. If you were planning on it too then we could just put the fence on the property line and split the cost. No worries if you don't want to - just thought I would offer the option. Here's my contact information or just come over, you know where to find me." [insert smile here]
I've never heard of anyone asking to share the cost of a fence. It's definitely not normal here (MN). Unless it's not legal to put the fence ON the property line, I would build it and pay for it myself.
What? Totally normal in MN. I can think of a handful of people that I know that did this off the top of my head.
OP, yes I would ask. "Hey. Just stopped over to let you know my husband and I are planning on getting a fence. If you were planning on it too then we could just put the fence on the property line and split the cost. No worries if you don't want to - just thought I would offer the option. Here's my contact information or just come over, you know where to find me." [insert smile here]
I've never heard of anyone doing this and I've lived here for 20+ years
Post by revolution on Mar 28, 2015 17:28:21 GMT -5
I have ever heard of anyone splitting the cost of a fence. I would laugh if my neighbors asked me this. Ours is paid for and maintained by us and it is right up on the edge of the property line.
Our neighbors asked the day we moved in. We said cash was tight but we'd split the cost in 2 months or so if they wanted to wait. They said they didn't want to wait, so they paid 100%. Oh, well.
It's totally normal here to split the costs. We asked our old neighbour and he said no so we put up what we wanted just inside the property line and left his old saggy fence where it was standing, on the other side.
I say it can't hurt to ask. If you don't want to come right out and ask for money, just ask them if they are thinking of putting up a fence and see what they say. Maybe the conversation can naturally work it's way around to splitting.
I've heard of neighbours in new subdivisions getting together and hiring one contactor for many fences and negotiating a nice discount for bringing so much business. Plus then the fences will match nicely.
I would ask, especially since it's a new subdivision. They may be planning their own fences, and it would be win win.
Would someone have the back side of the fence, or would you put planks on both sides of the posts? If there are planks on both sides, I think maintenance would be pretty straight forward. Even with one set of planks, shared maintenance isn't a big deal IMO. At best, you save costs there as well. At worst, you do it all yourself which you were planning to do anyway.
We have shared fence with our neighbors and every other section (like 10 vertical planks) switches direction. So we don't have the entire back of the fence or front of the fence. It looks a little weird but apparently was built that way so no one could complain about who repaired what section. We haven't been here long so IDK how that will work out.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Mar 28, 2015 19:03:46 GMT -5
I left them a note, saying, "Hey, I'm probably going to have a fence put in in the next few weeks. Just wanted to let you know, and see if you had any preferences or concerns..." I was kind of hoping they might offer to pay part, but no such luck. :-) I was too shy to ask flat-out, I'd never heard of that before this board.
I would ask, especially since it's a new subdivision. They may be planning their own fences, and it would be win win.
Would someone have the back side of the fence, or would you put planks on both sides of the posts? If there are planks on both sides, I think maintenance would be pretty straight forward. Even with one set of planks, shared maintenance isn't a big deal IMO. At best, you save costs there as well. At worst, you do it all yourself which you were planning to do anyway.
We have shared fence with our neighbors and every other section (like 10 vertical planks) switches direction. So we don't have the entire back of the fence or front of the fence. It looks a little weird but apparently was built that way so no one could complain about who repaired what section. We haven't been here long so IDK how that will work out.
Our fence has planks centred between the posts, not on one side or the other, so it looks exactly the same on both sides of the fence.
We have shared fence with our neighbors and every other section (like 10 vertical planks) switches direction. So we don't have the entire back of the fence or front of the fence. It looks a little weird but apparently was built that way so no one could complain about who repaired what section. We haven't been here long so IDK how that will work out.
Our fence has planks centred between the posts, not on one side or the other, so it looks exactly the same on both sides of the fence.
I like this idea! Maybe if we ever get ours redone I'll suggest it.
If they have dogs, then I would carefully consider whether to put it on a shared property line, because if their dogs destroy it and they don't pay to fix it, then you'll have increased maintenance fees. Other than dogs, our 10-years of wooden fence maintenance has been nothing, zip, zero, nada.
I suggest you talk to them and make the offer. It feeds good will and communication.
Our house is older and all the fences exist on the property lines. The "nice" side faces our house on all 3 sides (I assume this means our house was completed first or the first owner was the first to build the fence). Our backyard neighbor's dogs have started breaking the fence trying to get into our backyard, but the neighbor has been great and even replaced 2 planks. We never talk to this neighbor, but it's good to know he's an honest guy taking responsibility for his pets.
If you plan to live there 30 years, be careful where neighbors plant trees. Our fence has to bend around a huge tree that was probably planted 30 years ago in the neighbor's yard, too close to the fence.
I wonder if two fences separated by 6 inches invites critters to live in the safe space in between. Anyone have evidence on if two fences are better than one?
I think it's a huge jump to assume that just because someone has dogs that the dogs would destroy the fence. My pug has no interest in digging or scratching at a fence.
If they have dogs, then I would carefully consider whether to put it on a shared property line, because if their dogs destroy it and they don't pay to fix it, then you'll have increased maintenance fees. Other than dogs, our 10-years of wooden fence maintenance has been nothing, zip, zero, nada.
I suggest you talk to them and make the offer. It feeds good will and communication.
Our house is older and all the fences exist on the property lines. The "nice" side faces our house on all 3 sides (I assume this means our house was completed first or the first owner was the first to build the fence). Our backyard neighbor's dogs have started breaking the fence trying to get into our backyard, but the neighbor has been great and even replaced 2 planks. We never talk to this neighbor, but it's good to know he's an honest guy taking responsibility for his pets.
If you plan to live there 30 years, be careful where neighbors plant trees. Our fence has to bend around a huge tree that was probably planted 30 years ago in the neighbor's yard, too close to the fence.
I wonder if two fences separated by 6 inches invites critters to live in the safe space in between. Anyone have evidence on if two fences are better than one?
I think it's a huge jump to assume that just because someone has dogs that the dogs would destroy the fence. My pug has no interest in digging or scratching at a fence.
I did not assume, I supposed. Suppose they have dogs and you split the fence cost but then the dogs damage the fence and the owners don't want to help fix it. It's a scenario, that while far fetched and not likely to happen, should be considered. I could also suggest supposing the wind knocks down the fence, does the OP feel comfortable working with the neighbor on fixing it. A shared asset will mean communicating with the neighbor should anything happen to that shared asset in the future.
Where i live the ugly side of the fence has to face your house. The nice side faces out. People do ask their neighbors. Would you want to suddenly see digging for posts going on that will affect your backyard and property, you still might not have any say but at least you get a little warning. Sometimes neighbors split the cost, other times neighbors say no.
Our development prohibits most fences. wrought iron, a half -heigh split rail or picket (waist high) are permitted. Stockade fences are not. I hate the look of stoackade fences, inside or out so I really like that. Stone fences, that are between knee and waist high are also permitted.
I would ask. Our first house's fence was falling down. I talked to the neighbors on the other side and told them that I thought it should be replaced, had gotten several quotes, and wanted to know if they'd share the cost of the lowest quote. I told them that we'd take on staining both sides of the fence if they'd help to pay. They agreed. Win win.
I would just ask. We moved into a new neighborhood two years ago and went through the same thing. One neighbor split one side, we paid for the other side (but asked the neighbors there if they'd pitch in), the back was there when we moved in. We needed a fence asap because of our dog (and btw I don't know any dogs who'd be interested in digging up and ruining a fence). I think with a new neighborhood all the people moving in are doing the same. We also love all of our neighbors and have been friendly since moving in.
Just ask if they are interested. We've been approached several times by neighbors regarding sharing costs for fences, tree pruning, landscaping, painting, etc. We always appreciated it, and almost all agreed.