Q & A Table of Contents
If Good Fences Make Good Neighbors, Who Should Pay?
From: Paul, Colorado
Question: I am putting in a 6' cedar privacy fence on one side of my backyard lot, which will cost me around $800.00 in materials, and I would like the new next door neighbors to help pay for it. I think they should feel somewhat obligated, since they will benefit as much as me from the fence. How do I ask them to help out financially and have them respond favorably?
Response: Let me open my response by telling you that in my personal experience with a hedge planted by my parents when a new house was built next door and when my wife and I installed a six foot fence between our house and a neighbor's in both cases only the 'barrier-builders' paid. There's some logic behind this. First, when new neighbors arrive, if the first thing that happens is that a privacy fence or hedge is put in place, the new neighbors may feel less than welcome. Being asked to pay under those circumstances may feel like having salt rubbed into one's wounds. Secondly, a fence (or hedge) needs maintenance. Who is going to decide when and how to maintain the fence? What if one party wants it painted blue and the other wants it painted green? It is much easier if it only has one owner.
My initial advice to you is to question the message you are sending your new neighbor in asking them to pay their share of the fence. Also think about the long-term maintenance of the fence -- who's going to make decisions. What if you like the new neighbors, but the new people who buy your house or their house are obnoxious? How will you make decisions then?
If you remain convinced that sharing costs is appropriate, think hard about why this is important to you. Is it simply a money issue? Do you feel that a joint project may help establish a positive relationship with your new neighbor?
Similarly, try to put yourself in the neighbor's shoes. If they've just bought a house, how will they feel about yet another cost of moving in? If you've decided to build the fence without discussing the project with them, getting their input on design, color, etc. why should they feel a compulsion to contribute funds to pay for it? If the fence has not yet been built, perhaps you still have an opportunity to create a joint project atmosphere so they feel involved in the process and a sense of ownership of the fence.
No matter where you end up in terms of the decisions you make independently, it would make considerable sense to discuss the fence with your neighbors, whether it has been built or has yet to be started. It should be made clear that the fence is intended to improve the neighborly relationship: privacy, safety for kids, protecting gardens from kids or dogs, etc. If they share common interests with you, then a common fence can, as Robert Frost wrote, "make good neighbors."
Good luck with this,
Steve
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