Talking to Neighbors About a Fence Installation? Here’s What You Should Know

Fences make great neighbors. No matter how good your relationships are with those around you, (almost) everyone can appreciate the privacy and boundary identification benefits a well-constructed fence provides.

Now, for the hard part. Even when it’s installed entirely on your property, fences can impact neighbors’ sightlines and sense of space. Before the first post enters the ground, opening a dialogue with the occupants of nearby households can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and even legal issues down the road.

If you’re planning a fence installation and aren’t sure how to approach your neighbors, here’s what you should know.

Start with a Friendly Heads-Up

If you’re new to the area or don’t have a close relationship with neighbors, the idea of knocking on doors unannounced can be stressful. But installing a fence without first seeking approval can cause significant headaches down the road.  This doesn’t have to be a formal meeting. Just a friendly conversation to let them know what you’re planning.

Even if you’re installing a fence entirely on your property, your neighbors will appreciate being informed rather than surprised by construction noise or a sudden change in the landscape. And who knows, you may even find that they’re supportive or willing to share the cost if they’ve been considering a fence, too!

Double-Check Property Lines

Boundary disputes have wreaked havoc on neighborly relationships since the dawn of time. When installing your new fence, make sure you and your Mills Fence team know exactly where the property lines are. Like your dad used to tell you, “measure twice, cut once.”

Installing a fence even a few inches over the line could trigger complaints or legal action. With so much at stake, don’t rely on existing structures to determine the right location. The local property records office or a professional land surveyor can provide accurate information that can save you a great deal of stress and potentially even legal fees.

Review Local Fence Regulations

Cities, townships, counties, and even neighborhood HOAs can all have slightly different fence regulations. The rules may focus on anything from maximum height to acceptable materials and colors, proximity guidelines, and just about everything in between.

When planning for your fence installation, don’t forget to do your homework. Staying compliant with local codes and ordinances is the smart way to avoid unnecessary fines and penalties.

Consider the “Good Neighbor” Rule

If you’ve never installed a fence before, you may not be familiar with the “good neighbor” rule. This informal but still important practice states that fences should be constructed with the “finished” (or more attractive side) facing outward, toward your neighbor or the street. The good neighbor rule may not apply to aluminum or chain link fences, but for PVC (or vinyl) and wood privacy fences, it can make a noticeable difference. In some cases, you might find this policy in local ordinances or HOA guidelines.

It’s a small detail, but facing the best side outward can help maintain goodwill, especially if the fence is close to your neighbor’s living space or backyard.

Written Agreements Can Help

It’s not uncommon for neighbors to split the cost of a fence that serves as a boundary between their properties. If you’ve agreed on payment structure or maintenance responsibilities, we highly recommend putting that agreement in writing.

In a perfect world, a handshake deal might be sufficient. However, a simple document outlining the specifics of your agreement can prevent unneeded confusion in the future.

Keep Your Contractor Informed

You, your neighbors, and your contractor are all on the same team. For that reason, it’s important to keep everyone aware of potential issues or obstacles during the installation process. For example, if there are shared trees, underground utilities, or restrictions on working hours near your neighbor’s property, communicating that upfront helps avoid issues during installation.

At Mills, we’ll always do our best to help you navigate local rules and ensure we do the job properly and professionally. Keeping us in the loop regarding any of your neighbors’ concerns can help make the process as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

Successful Fence Projects Start with a Call to Mills

Installing a new fence can be a nice moment of communication and cooperation between you and your next-door neighbors. Plus, everyone can appreciate some added privacy and security.

Once you’re ready to move forward with your installation, contact the experts at Mills. With decades of local expertise, our team has been the fence contractor Tri-state residents have trusted for generations. Get in touch with our Cincinnati showroom at (513) 631-0333 or our Northern Kentucky showroom at (859) 485-6655 to get started.