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Chain Link Fence Questions

JasonG | Posted in General Discussion on July 27, 2007 02:59am

I was thinking of having someone erect a chain link fence in my backyard along the property line. Do contractors generally estimate fencing/installation by linear foot? Would anyone be willing to share a a ballpark cost for 5′ high fencing on level ground?

Also, the neighbor and I have a verbal agreement that if they decide to sell and the site survey shows the fence is on their property, we will move it. I am assuming that chain link will be “easy” to relocate, though. Is this true? Just in case, I am planning to have the fence erected 2′ inside where I think the property line is. (Site survey would be $1500, which is more than I was hoping to spend on the fence – with will be about 100′ with 2 gates.)

Thanks for any advice or suggestions – Jason

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  1. FastEddie | Jul 27, 2007 03:04pm | #1

    Tell the fence company to eerect the fence directly on the line.  Walk the property with the neighbor at the same time, agree on where it should go.  That's silly to put it 2 ft inside your line.  7 years from now your neighbor will claim emminent domain and seixe that 2 ft because he has been cutting the grass there.  Verbal agreements are worthless.  If the fence is erected in good faith on the line, there's no reason to move it just because he sells his house.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    1. brownbagg | Jul 27, 2007 04:08pm | #4

      if you do it yourself for a 4 foot fence. I have never seen a five foot fence. Mine ran $2.50 a foot counting all material.might be a little higher now. I did mine two years ago.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Jul 27, 2007 04:13pm | #5

        I have never seen a five foot fence

        Yeah, those 7' posts are a pain to find <g>

        Unless a person is up to setting them 36" deep <ugh--joints ache just thinking it>.

        Ick, just thought of triming the fence fabric to 5' . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. User avater
          PeteDraganic | Jul 27, 2007 04:25pm | #7

          If I drive the posts into soil (no concrete) I have to cut the tops off anyhow due to mushrooming from the post driver.  I just use a large pipe cutter.

           

          http://www.petedraganic.com/

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Jul 27, 2007 04:35pm | #8

            I have to cut the tops off anyhow

            That's what I've always had to do, too--I just didn't want OP's joints to ache as much as mine do just in contemplation (not worried about bb--between long drives and recently-enriched servers, his stress will already be high enough as is <g>).

            Some day, I'll have to address my own fence.  That fence will be a hybrid--metal posts in ground contact and wood privacy work above.  The aim will be for the best of both worlds.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          2. fingersandtoes | Jul 28, 2007 07:44am | #9

            "That fence will be a hybrid--metal posts in ground contact and wood privacy work above.  The aim will be for the best of both worlds."

            I was looking at a fence on a new condo project nearby that had just the opposite. Cedar 4x4s every 6 ft and infill panels of black coated chain link. It really looked good.

  2. MikeHennessy | Jul 27, 2007 03:14pm | #2

    FastEddie makes a good point. Misplaced fences are a common cause of property line disputes. Some future owners may not know what the "deal" was, and issues can surface when someone notices that the fence does not match the deed. If you do enter into that agreement, make sure it is in writing.

    As far as putting the fence well back from the line, that can often be better than trying to get close to a line without a survey. If it's obvious that the fence is NOT the line, it's less likely to cause confusion and adverse possession claims in the future. If you do keep the fence back, you may want to place some markers, such as flush stones or a few posts, on what you believe to be the true property line. Include that in the written agreement as well, describing your intention with the markers, but acknowledging that they are subject to change with a survey.

    In my area, fencing requires a permit -- and that requires a survey. You may want to check that out before proceeding. Otherwise, you may be doing the job twice. ;-)

    If you are not careful, you could make problems for yourself if you ever try to sell you house or if your neighbors sell theirs.

    Mike Hennessy
    Pittsburgh, PA

    1. JasonG | Jul 27, 2007 03:56pm | #3

      This is kind of a delicate situation. The neighbor's property is a vacant lot. When we bought the house, they split the lot and the original owners kept the vacant lot next door . . . because her mother's ashes are spread in the flower beds. We have a survey from when we bought the house in 2001, which shows the property width is 50' and there is a metal corner stake at the rear of the lot. The neighbor is very uneasy about that now, because that means her mother's ashes are on our property, along with the "memorial tree" she planted for her father.We would eventually like to buy this lot, so I'd rather try to accomodate the neighbor's emotions. However, I will now get all of this in writing once it is settled verbally.Regarding the permit - our county no longer requires a permit for fences, unless they are along the road (which ours is not). If the existing neighbor does not dispute the fence placement, then we do not need a survey. However, since corner pins exist, another survey seems redundant. I'd rather stay friendly with the neighbor. If I exert my property rights now, it will screw up the eventual purchase of the land in the future.Jason

      Edited 7/27/2007 8:58 am ET by JasonG

      1. MikeHennessy | Jul 27, 2007 04:19pm | #6

        Things are never easy. Under your circumstances, I think I'd just go ahead (after getting it in writing) and build the fence, especially since there is a pin already placed. Just to be safe, you may want to put a small placcard on the fence stating "Not a Boundary Line" so nobody relies on it in the future.

        Your main problem, as I see it (especially since you posted your explaination including ancestor's ashes), is that some day your neighbor will claim she owns the property on her side of the fence by adverse possession. Your written document will preclude this.

        Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

  3. JasonG | Aug 02, 2007 10:15pm | #10

    Just wanted to update those who responded . . .

    The issue with the neighbor was resolved easily. Her main concern is that I do not assume control of any part of her lot ("adverse possession), reducing its width, sale-ability, and access. I sent her a letter stating that the fence did not constitute the boundary line, that neither of us were surrendering any property, and that if a future survey showed the fence was on her property, I would be responsible for moving it. She was happy with this letter and signed a copy and returned it to me for my files. I am certain that the fence is at least 2' on my property (perhaps 3'), so the letter will hopefully protect both of us. If she sells, the land will have to be surveyed, at which time, I will move the fence to the property line.

    I have also contracted to install the chain link fence. It includes 109' of 5' high plain galvanzed fence (9 gauge), posts set in concrete, a 3' and 4' wide gate, and drilling through existing concrete to set 4 of the posts. Total is $3400 - a $375 coupon, for a total price of $3025. It was more than I expected (by about $1200), but then again, I have never bought installed fencing, so my own expectations were mostly based on what I hoped it would cost.

    Jason

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