If you want respite from your nosy neighbors, or you just want additional privacy for you and your family, then you’ve probably looked into a new fence! At our Nashville fence company, we love helping homeowners find the right fence for their property to create beautiful and private backyard spaces.
But installing a fence will have an impact on your neighbors, and our experts at Premier Fence LLC are here to provide you with our top pieces of advice for installing a fence along a shared property line so you can keep the peace and get the fence you desire!
Communication is Key for Tennessee Residential Fences!
The first and most important tip in proper fence etiquette is keeping the lines of communication with your neighbors open! In most cases, you are not required to notify your neighbors prior to installing a fence. However, extending the courtesy of letting your neighbors know about the fence before installation day will help avoid surprises and potential disagreements in the future.
When communicating with your neighbors before installation, you may find out that they are willing to share the cost of the project! As a good neighbor, it’s important to consider the impact that a new fence may have on our community, but with some preliminary communication, your new fence can benefit all of your neighbors!
Know and Follow the Rules
The next fence etiquette tip is to be familiar with your neighborhood rules and local zoning laws. If you belong to a homeowner’s association (HOA), you can guarantee they have certain fence regulations, including rules about materials, heights, colors, and styles. Speak to your neighbors or your HOA representative for confirmation. At our Nashville fence company, we have extensive experience with installing fences in local HOAs, and our experts may be able to provide some information about fences we have completed in your area!
If you don’t live in an HOA, there are likely some local zoning laws that may influence the construction of your new fence. This is especially true if your house is on a corner lot since a tall fence in the front yard might interfere with the view of traffic approaching the intersection.
While our team may be familiar with local legislation, it is not our obligation to ensure that your new fence complies with every municipal ordinance or HOA rule. For the most accurate information, talk to your local authorities and HOA.
Respect Property Lines
Another important rule of appropriate fence etiquette is to make certain that your new fence is built inside your property limits. Even if you think you’re certain of where your property lines are, you owe it to yourself and your neighbors to double-check. Incorrectly installed fences are a costly and time-consuming mistake that can easily be avoided.
If you are unsure about where your property begins and ends, you should contact your local authorities and have a survey performed. Most counties now offer online maps that you may use to locate your property border.
Maintenance
Keeping your new residential fence well-maintained or choosing a low-maintenance fencing solution is an important part of being a good neighbor. Like any other part of your home, a fence requires regular upkeep in order to remain safe and attractive. Depending on the location of your fence and whether or not you discussed your fence with your neighbors will determine if you need to maintain both sides of the fence.
Different materials can have an impact on maintenance requirements.
Wood Fences
Wood fences require regular maintenance to keep them strong and beautiful. Regularly inspect your fence for signs of molding, mildew, and rot. Additionally, you will need to paint or stain your fence every few years to prevent premature weathering and warping.
Aluminum, Vinyl, Chain Link, and Ornamental Steel Fences
These fence types are more low-maintenance options. Regularly inspect your fence for signs of rusting, corrosion, or damage. Any dirt or debris can be removed from the fence using a hose and a gentle cleanser.
Consider a Good Neighbor Tennessee Residential Fence
The last fence etiquette tip we’ll discuss is the style or position of your new fence. Depending on the type of fence you plan to build, one side may be more visually pleasing than the other. It’s common practice to face the finished side of the fence, also known as the “good” side, toward the street and your neighbor’s yard.
Some fence types, like vinyl, aluminum, chain link, and ornamental steel fences, have the same look from both sides. Some wood fence styles from our Nashville fence company are also beautiful from both sides, eliminating this problem completely.
Work with the Top Nashville Fence Company – Premier Fence LLC
Our team of expert fence installers at Premier Fence LLC is ready to install your new fence. To speak with one of our team members, reach out to us at (615) 427-9451 or contact us online. We can’t wait to show you why your friends and neighbors trust the team at Premier Fence LLC for all of their fencing needs!
