Don’t Build That Fence Until You Talk To Your Neighbors!

Angie’s List doesn’t just help consumers find reviews on fence installation companies in their area. Over the years, it’s become a major resource for home improvement topics of all kinds. So not only can the website help you find a residential fence installation company near you, it can also help you decide which type of fencing is best for your home.

In the site’s resource section for fences, there are guides to DIY fence building, choosing the right residential fence installation company, and choosing the best fencing materials. But there’s one section that deals with some extremely underutilized advice, advice that can save you major headaches down the line.

In fact, many residential fence installation companies will even go so far as to say that you should never install fencing without doing this one simple thing first: talk to your neighbors.

Why Should You Talk To Your Neighbors About Your Fence?
Even if you’re planning to pay for the most gorgeous fence installation Grand Rapids, MI, has ever seen, even if you are 100% certain you are within your property line, even if you can’t imagine why they would object, talking to your neighbors never hurts. We aren’t suggesting that you ask for permission; you likely don’t need it.

But neighbors aren’t always known for being rational, and a simple conversation now could save you endless hassles, drama, and headaches down the line. How many next door neighbor feuds could have been avoided with one short conversation?

You may also need to apply for a building permit, something a residential fence installation company can help you with. Zoning committee experts estimate that 80 to 90% of fence applications are for stockade [privacy] fences, which means a lot of people are building fences specifically to avoid contact with their neighbors. Even if this is the case, it’s a simple courtesy to alert your neighbors before any construction begins.

If they have any problems with your fencing plans, even if the problems are irrational, it’s best to get them out in the open before your fencing company arrives to start work.

Why Are Some Neighbors Crazy About Fences?
In a new Harris Poll conducted for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, fully three-quarters of Americans (75%) said it’s important to spend time in their yards. Another 83% said having a yard is important, and 90% of yard owners said it was important to keep that yard maintained.

If a neighbor thinks your new fence harms their yard, you could be triggering a feud that will last for years to come. And, let’s be honest, some people are just never happy.