Community Chat

[proudlyfromNJ]

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

@santorini 

I don't think it would be any different if they paid for half of the fence, the one putting up the fence is not going to put the 'pristine' side facing their neighbor's property and the 'ugly' side facing their own property.. 

We won't accept an offer of contribution when we make our fence change, even if it's offered.

If my neighbors don't like looking at the back of our fence, then they have the option of putting up their own at their own expense.

I'm very neighborly, but I won't let neighbors make decisions re: my fencing needs.

Luckily, they're the kind of neighbors who wouldn't expect to either..

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@KingstonsMom  We have ordinances around here concerning fences. The pristine side faces outward and the ugly side inward.

[CelticCrafter]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

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@santorini wrote:

You're kind to want to offer.  I've done it both ways in the past.  If they're paying for all of it, you will get the "ugly" side (the cross-bar reinforcement Xs showing instead of the pristine straight wood lines).   

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That isn't how it is where I live.  A fence requires a permit and has to be so far off the lot line (can't remember how far), but it can not be on the lot line.  Also, the most attractive side goes toward the neighbor.  I have noticed this seems to be the case on most flip shows on HGTV.  The cross bars go on the inside of the property...facing the owner of the fence.

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That's how it is where I live, the one that owns the fence gets to look at the ugly side.

[Meowingkitty]

I live in Arizona and all or almost houses built since the 80's or so have a 6' block fence. Some older houses have wood but everyone has block where we live. It's included in the house. 

[KingstonsMom]

@proudlyfromNJ 

I can appreciate that, but we don't have such ordinances here and that's not how it is usually done.

[riley1]

If the fence is on their property, you do not have to pay anything towards it nor is it your responsibility to maintain the fence. Also, when we put a split rail fence up long ago, it had to be a certain amount of feet away from the property line. That was in NJ so don't know if that holds true where you are.

I would not even get into a discussion with your neighbors regarding the fence or even suggest contributing towards it, jmo.

[proudlyfromNJ]

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

@proudlyfromNJ 

I can appreciate that, but we don't have such ordinances here and that's not how it is usually done.

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@KingstonsMom  Oh yes, I know every place has different ordinances. Just wanted to say the way they do it around here. I didn’t realize that it is unusual.

[GAQShopr53]

Although a nice gesture @shy bobcat I probably would just let your neighbor do what they want. In our neighborhood the fences are all wood but there are some neighbors that have chain fences in the back of their yards. For me it is more of a liability issue when the fence is completed. Who will be responsible for maintaining the fence and who will pay for damages if the fence is damaged in a storm or bad weather.

Again, the issue is not helping with the fence but who will ultimately be responsible. I have neighbors now that refuse to fix their falling fence and I am not going to pay for the repairs because they used cheap material and the fence is a hot mess. 

[Carmie]

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@proudlyfromNJ wrote:

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

@proudlyfromNJ 

I can appreciate that, but we don't have such ordinances here and that's not how it is usually done.

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@KingstonsMom  Oh yes, I know every place has different ordinances. Just wanted to say the way they do it around here. I didn’t realize that it is unusual.

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It is accepted practice everywhere that the nice side of the fence faces outward.  Who would want the ugly side of the fence to be viewed from the street?  It would make your property look awful.  

Most municipalities have ordnance's making this the required waiting install a fence.

[SunSprite]

@shy bobcat 

I think the world needs more neighbors like you. That's what I think. 

[shoesnbags]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

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@santorini wrote:

You're kind to want to offer.  I've done it both ways in the past.  If they're paying for all of it, you will get the "ugly" side (the cross-bar reinforcement Xs showing instead of the pristine straight wood lines).   

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That isn't how it is where I live.  A fence requires a permit and has to be so far off the lot line (can't remember how far), but it can not be on the lot line.  Also, the most attractive side goes toward the neighbor.  I have noticed this seems to be the case on most flip shows on HGTV.  The cross bars go on the inside of the property...facing the owner of the fence.

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@tends2dogs 

Interesting - I've seen this mentioned here before.  In my area, it's done just as @santorini described.  The attractive side faces the homeowner who puts up and pays for the fence.  All three sides of our backyard have the "finished" side facing us because the original homeowner put up the fences.  Over the years as we replaced fences we asked adjoining neighbors if they wanted to go halvsies, but all declined.  We paid 100%, so we get to look at the attractive side of the fence.  Seems fair to me.