Property lines, neighbors and shared fences: how to avoid the fight

The most expensive fence mistake is not a material choice. It is building in the wrong place.

Start with a survey. Property corner pins are the only authority — not the old fence, not the mowed line, not what the previous owner said. If you do not have a recent survey, a new one costs a fraction of moving a finished fence.

Many homeowners choose to set the fence a few inches inside their line rather than directly on it. That keeps the entire structure, and the maintenance access, on your property.

The good-side convention: the finished face traditionally goes toward the neighbor and the street, with rails and posts on your side. Board-on-board and shadowbox styles sidestep the question entirely by looking the same from both directions.

If you are splitting the cost, put it in writing before work starts — who pays what, who owns it, and who maintains it. A short signed note prevents a long dispute.

Talk to the neighbor before the crew arrives, not while the auger is running. Most disputes we have seen were surprises, not disagreements.

And check your HOA rules on material, color and height before you order anything. HOA approval is separate from county permitting and often stricter.