A popular English proverb “Do good fences make good neighbours”, metaphorically means the act of keeping distance with the help of a fence. For example, if you and your next-door neighbour know for certain where your yard ends and his begins, then there won’t be any disagreement about which of you is supposed to mow that bit in the middle.
Fences are necessary to keep the safety of your land ensured from intruders, stray animals and trespassers. A fence can act as a protector of your house. It can be your friend in dire situations.
Good neighbours respect one another’s property. Although, the neighbours are friendly towards each other. There is always a chance that things might turn sour. A properly installed fence is a bridge between having good and best neighbours.
Here are some tips FencePro, the best fence company in Canada to help you and your neighbours before the first fenced post goes in.
1. Respect all property lines: Few fencing disputes are more heated than those concerning the property line. Needless to say, no one likes to feel like their turf has been taken away. So make sure you’re particularly careful about where the fence is located. Check and double-check the dimensions of your lot, then take a look around your property to see whether there are any existing markings. In some cases, professional installers will put fences a short distance inside your property line to avoid potential problems.
Before you make a final plan for your fence line, consider any nearby trees and plants that may grow toward or above it. For example, look for trees whose roots could interfere with your fence or heavy branches that might drop and damage it.
2. Follow local laws: Provinces, cities and municipalities have various rules on allowable heights for fences around residential properties. It’s essential that you don’t exceed the maximum height unless you’ve successfully applied for a variance, which gives you an exception to the rules.
Typically, there are also rules to negotiate any disagreements between neighbours. Check to see what applies in your area. In parts of Ontario, for instance, the Line Fences Act defines the guidelines for fence-related disputes between neighbours.
3. Put the best face outward, or make each side identical: If your fence has one side that’s more finished than the other, it’s courteous to have that be the side that faces outward, whether it’s onto the street or toward your neighbour’s yard. In some cases, this is even required by local bylaws. A safer, easier option might be what’s often referred to as the “good neighbour fence” – a style that appears identical from either side. Most often, this type of fence has alternating vertical wooden boards, sometimes with a strip of privacy lattice across the top.
Team FencePro, a popular fence company in Canada employs these tips whilst constructing or building a fence outside your backyard. We hope these tips will be helpful to make sure your fence is your good neighbour.