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bella321
Blessed!
Member since 3/09 1952 total posts
Name:
Kristy
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
We have an ugly 100 foot long chain link fence in our backyard. We're friendly with the neighbors that we share the fence with but not particularly close.
We would like to replace the fence but are unsure if we should approach them about splitting the cost.
On one hand, it would be nice to reduce the cost but then we have to deal with their preferences on style, overall cost, etc.
If we absorb the cost, they are basically getting a brand new fence and tons more privacy for free.
What do you think?
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Posted 6/9/14 12:23 AM  |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
May sound harsh to say this but if you want it, you pay for it. That's what I did, that's the way I see it. Others may disagree.
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| Posted 6/9/14 12:49 AM |
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
I'm inclined to agree with the above poster.
It also kind of puts them in an awkward position where they might feel trapped to contribute, especially if they are friendly with you.
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| Posted 6/9/14 5:24 AM |
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ISpoilHim
I think I got this
Member since 11/10 1523 total posts
Name:
K
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
It's your fence. It's not up to your neighbors to split the cost with you. Replace the fence and get what you want.
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| Posted 6/9/14 6:32 AM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
Budget to pay for it yourself, and get what you want. You may need to out it inside your property line though, instead of just replacing the existing fence-even then your neighbor may put up a stink
We just replaced all of our fencing, and we have five neighbors we had to deal with
One tried to give us a contract that we would be responsible for their kids damaging the fence, and never offered us money
One was super easy (but again no money)
One was easy, but wanted us to leave the old fence (no money)
One tried to talk us into a different type of fence (but couldn't give us money), because they didn't want their yard to lose the open feeling it had (we replaced a low chain link with 6 ft PVC)
One was easy and worked out money with us
I'm so happy it's all done now
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| Posted 6/9/14 7:45 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
Never have I heard about splitting the cost until LIF.
You want a fence then you should be paying for the fence.
I have to say if my neighbor came asking to split a fence cost I'd tell the to go screw.
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| Posted 6/9/14 7:46 AM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by alli3131
Never have I heard about splitting the cost until LIF.
You want a fence then you should be paying for the fence.
I have to say if my neighbor came asking to split a fence cost I'd tell the to go screw.
I feel like at some point it was more normal to split the cost. My mother badgered her back neighbor last time they replaced the fence. My parents had put up the last one but the original back neighbor split the cost. When she went to replace it with the new neighbor, the woman flat out said no. My mothers response? Fine, well take down the fence that's there and you'll have to walk your dogs instead of letting them out. The woman obviously got pissed and eventually gave my parents 500 or something like that. But my mother can be a bit absurd lol
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| Posted 6/9/14 8:00 AM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
When we replaced our fence in our 1st home we didn't ask any of the neighbors to split it. But one neighbor approached us and said he would pay for half that would be on his side. We told him it wasn't necessary but he insisted. It was nice but definitely not expected.
In the new house we paid for it all. 2 of the 3 neighbors thanked us for the nice new fence.
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| Posted 6/9/14 8:29 AM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
When we put up a new fence, the neighbors offered to pay for half of the side that is between our 2 yards. We would have put the new fence up anyway, but it was nice to save a little bit. (The old fence was a MESS - old wooden picket fence that was close to falling down, so they were happy to have a new one too.) I forget what fence the neighbors had in the front of their house, but they wound up replacing the rest of their fence too, using the same company.
But, bottom line, I would expect to pay for the whole thing. And if you are set on having a very specific style, then I would just go ahead and do the whole thing without approaching the neighbors
Message edited 6/9/2014 9:07:45 AM.
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| Posted 6/9/14 9:05 AM |
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dianadrw
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 2092 total posts
Name:
Me
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
When our neighbor was putting up a new fence we offered to split the cost on the the side that we would share. He graciously declined our offer. Now that we are putting up a fence on the other side we didn't approach our neighbor nor have they offered - and I wouldn't expect them to. I agree with the other posters that have said if you want a fence, you pay for it.
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| Posted 6/9/14 9:54 AM |
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caps612
In love with my little guys!!
Member since 8/10 5108 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Definitely just pay for it. It can get too messy. Get what you want, when you want, how you want. It's tough to share ownership with people you know well and are close with , let alone people you don't really know that well.
when we did our side fence there was half a fence left on the property line that belonged to the 85 year old man next door. We told him we were putting a fence up and offered to remove what was left of his fence to he could enjoy it. He actually helped us remove it even thought we tried to make him not! But he liked to do projects! He did not offer money.
When we did out back fence, we had a chain link that backed 2 different neighbors wood fences. We were paying for the fence but we did reach out to each of them and asked if they wanted their wood fence removed so they could enjoy the PVC. It really did not matter to us either way. They were both interested and each paid the $70 for the fence company to remove their respective wood.
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| Posted 6/9/14 10:08 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
I would not even THINK of asking a neighbor to split the cost of a fence.
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| Posted 6/9/14 10:42 AM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by Paramount
I would not even THINK of asking a neighbor to split the cost of a fence.
ITA. If my neighbor asked me that I would think it was pretty ballsy.
For example, my grandmother lives alone and is very handy for an old lady. She was putting up a new fence between her yard and her neighbor, who happens to have two kids and would obviously benefit from the fence even more than my grandmother. She told him she was replacing it and he offered to help her put it up.
The two of them put up the fence together but she paid for it, never even mentioning splitting it. When they were done (in a few hours time) he then asked her to pay him for his work and time. She didn't mind but all along she thought he was just being nice and helpful, especially since the fence was more of a benefit to him because it helped keep his kids from wandering out of the yard. Just shows how differently people view the whole 'shared fence' issue.
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| Posted 6/9/14 11:52 AM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
You should pay for it yourself. If you ever sell, the fence becomes the property of the new owners & they can take it down if they want to--without any input from the neighbors even if the neighbors had helped pay for it.
My parents have a chain link fence in the back of their yard. The new back neighbors asked when they moved in, whose fence it was, and when they found out it wasn't their fence, they put up a taller white fence in front of it. They didn't ask my parents to take down their chain link or split the cost of the giant new fence they put in.
Also, several people above have mentioned wanting the neighbors to enjoy the new PVC fence--keep in mind not everyone finds those enjoyable.
My MIL HATES the one her side neighbors put up, so she planted giant shrubs to hide it. ( she is kind of right--it doesn't really go with the neighborhood/house styles)
She much prefers the back neighbor's wood fence, even though it is old & weathered.
Message edited 6/9/2014 12:03:15 PM.
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| Posted 6/9/14 11:59 AM |
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Cataverri
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/12 390 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
You have to pay it. We replaced our fence when we purchased our house. We didn't go around asking anyone for help or opinions. Non of them ever complained about it.
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| Posted 6/9/14 12:35 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
We had an old, dilapidated wooden stockade fence along the back of our property--I don't even know whose it was because it was there when we moved in and we never asked. Anyway, about 1.5 years ago, the neighbor in the back (a super-sweet widow living alone) informed us she was having a PVC fence installed, she showed us the style...we loved it!
I can't tell you how happy we are with the fence...it's about a billion times nicer than what was there. We offered to split the cost, and she flat-out refused. We got a backyard makeover for free!
If it were me, I'd approach all of my neighbors--we have three who adjoin our property and all of them are awesome--and handle it exactly as my back neighbor did. I would never suggest we split it and I wouldn't take money from them. What do I care if they get a new fence for free? I mean if I buy and plant a tree, my neighbors are getting a nicer view...I wouldn't ask them to pay for it.
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| Posted 6/9/14 1:03 PM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by tourist
You should pay for it yourself. If you ever sell, the fence becomes the property of the new owners & they can take it down if they want to--without any input from the neighbors even if the neighbors had helped pay for it.
Also, this is a very good point!
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| Posted 6/9/14 1:05 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by ISpoilHim
It's your fence. It's not up to your neighbors to split the cost with you. Replace the fence and get what you want.
This. You won't put gates up around their driveway, or whatever. The fence is on your property, surrounding your yard. It's your fence. You pay.
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| Posted 6/9/14 1:30 PM |
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HeyJude
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/07 820 total posts
Name:
p
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by Sparrow
When they were done (in a few hours time) he then asked her to pay him for his work and time.
wow, just wow. wow. I think that is terrible.
When we replaced our fence, we told the neighbors what we were doing, because we figured the workers would need to be on their property somewhat to put up the new fence. On the one side-the fence belonged to the neighbor. It was old, falling down, a mess, missing slats, etc. She said she didn't mind us taking it down and that she would give us $ towards it. We never asked for anything. She did not end up giving us any money for replacing her old fence, but we went into it expecting to pay for it all so not a big deal.
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| Posted 6/9/14 1:33 PM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
Your fence, you pay. I would never ask a neighbor to split the cost, I think it's tacky.
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| Posted 6/9/14 2:23 PM |
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sj-girl
Happy Family of 4
Member since 5/08 5654 total posts
Name:
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Fence and Neighbor Poll
We have neighbor we are friendly with, one night while my husband was talking to them he mentioned he we were thinking about getting a new fence bc the one we share was falling apart. The neighbor had told my hubby that they were thinking about doing the same thing to the same exact fence. So luckily, for us, we decided to go halves. But if they hadn’t mentioned it, we had all intentions on paying for it all ourselves.
So I would say plan to pay for the whole thing and maybe if you bump into them, mention the fence and see what they say. They may or may not offer to do half.
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| Posted 6/9/14 2:44 PM |
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BabyHopes2
LIF Adult
Member since 4/13 1058 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Out of curtsy I would mention to them that you are putting a new fence. We told our neighbors behind us that we are thinking of getting a new fence but he wanted to keep that fence so we had to end up putting the fence in front of the old one. We dint want any issues so we just did that. Our neighbor to the left of us which we are close too, we both split up the cost but we both wanted a new fence so that worked out.
Message edited 6/9/2014 3:40:37 PM.
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| Posted 6/9/14 3:39 PM |
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Millie3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/13 1280 total posts
Name:
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Re: Fence and Neighbor Poll
Posted by Paramount
I would not even THINK of asking a neighbor to split the cost of a fence.
Yep. If someone came to me asking, I would think they were crazy
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| Posted 6/9/14 6:41 PM |
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