Should Your Vinyl Fence Be On Your Property Line?

March 21, 2018

When you’re trying to make the most out of your backyard, it’s natural to want all the space you can get. However, one of the most common mistakes we see with fence installations is fences that are built directly on or over the property line. Make no mistake – building a fence right on your property line is a dangerous gamble, and you could regret it in the long run. Find out why below.

Texas Law and Property Lines

You have probably heard the phrase “good fences make good neighbors.” However, fences can also cause neighbor disputes, and one of the most common is disputes about where one person’s land stops and another ones begins.


When two neighbors share a property line, neither one has any obligation to build a fence or other boundary. If one neighbor chooses to build a fence on the property line, they also cannot create an obligation for the other neighbor to pay for part of the fence, even if they’ll benefit from it. Only when both neighbors agree to pay for and maintain the fence together is it a “common fence.”


What does that mean for you? In short, if you want to build a fence around your lawn and your neighbor doesn’t want to pay for part of it, make sure you build away from the property line. If you build on the line, your neighbor can still build up against it and use it as part of his or her lawn enclosure but doesn’t need to pay for it or maintain it in any way. It’s all your responsibility.


Furthermore, if you build on the property line, you could be forced to tear up and move your fence later on. For instance, if a survey finds your fence is over the line at all, or if a new neighbor wants to build right up to their side of the line, they could take you to court over your fence. Unless you want to spend thousands of dollars on legal fees and fence removal, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

How to Stay Safe With Fence Installation

Get a Survey Done & Stay on Your Side

The best way to make sure your fence doesn’t cause any neighbor problems is to keep it on your property. Get a survey of the property lines done and then have your fence built six inches to a foot on your side.

Share Your Plans With Your Neighbor Ahead of Time

If you’re worried about how your neighbors will react to your new fence, you can share plans for your design ahead of time. They may even want to contribute to the costs of building it in exchange for being able to use their side of the fence on their own property as well. If you do choose to share your fence, you should look into the laws and make sure you know what your responsibilities are.

Give Neighbors the “Nice” Side

Whether your neighbors decide to help with the costs of your fence or not, you should always plan to build it with the finished side of the fence facing them. This is simply good etiquette and will help prevent any complaints from your neighbors later on.

Keep Your Fence in Good Shape

Finally, it’s important to keep your fence clean and in good repair, even if it encloses part of your neighbor’s property. Fortunately, if you get a vinyl fence from Future Outdoors, your maintenance needs will be minimal and your fence will last much longer than any wood fence.

Contact Future Outdoors Today

Looking for a new fence in the Dallas area? Contact us today at Future Outdoors. We’ll build you a quality vinyl fence that won’t make your neighbors mad. Call (972) 576-1600 today to get a free estimate, or visit us on Facebook to see pictures of past projects and read reviews from other satisfied customers.

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There is plenty of information on the internet about building and installing your own vinyl fence. However, that doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea to do it yourself. There are a few advantages that you get from working with a professional fence installer like Future Outdoors. Advantages of Professional Fence Installation Time Savings One of the biggest advantages of having your fence installed professionally is saving time versus installing it yourself. Fence installations can be tricky and time consuming, especially if you don’t have much experience. However, our experienced fence crew can install a new fence in just a day or two – and you won’t have to do any of the work yourself. Financial Savings Another major advantage of working with a professional fence installer is that you can actually save money. Depending on the type of fence you want to install you will need to buy materials, tools, and hardware such as screws, nails, or brackets. You will also need to factor in the costs of material delivery and the removal of any waste or old fence materials. In contrast, the cost of a professional fence install takes all of these factors into account. Plus, professionals have the tools and equipment they need already, and can buy materials in bulk at a discount. These savings are factored into your costs, so you often end up paying less than you would when you install on your own. Higher Quality Fence installations can be tricky. It’s important to make sure all the posts are set deep enough, totally secure, and standing straight and level. The panels need to be secure, level, and properly lined up. Corner angles must be measured correctly, and gates need be be secure and strong. If you don’t have the necessary skills or experience, it’s likely you could make a mistake that affects the quality of your finished fence. Professional fence installers, on the other hand, do have the necessary skills. They can install your fence quickly and without mistakes, and even guarantee the quality of your new fence with a warranty. In other words, you don’t just get a higher quality fence – you also get peace of mind. Less Stress Along with ensuring a higher quality result, having your fence installed by Future Outdoors also ensures you don’t need to worry about it. Installing your fence yourself can be stressful, especially if you are trying to get it done quickly or do it in your free time. When you get your fence installed, you don’t need to worry about the process and simply get to enjoy the result. No Code Violations Finally, getting your fence installed ensures you won’t suffer from any legal problems. Codes and permits can be big obstacles to DIY fence installations, especially if your home is part of an HOA. You will likely need to provide plans to your local permit office and get the necessary permits for your area. When you work with Future Outdoors to have your fence installed, though, you don’t need to do any of this work. We take care of all the permits for you, and ensure your fence is built according to code. Call Future Outdoors Today If you’re interested in getting a new fence at the best price, without the stress of installing yourself, give us a call today at Future Outdoors. We can help you choose the best fence for your needs and get it installed easily. Call (972) 576-1600 today or visit us on Facebook to see pictures and read reviews from previous customers.
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