Find your documents
Closing papers often include a plat or survey. County parcel maps give a general picture but are not surveys.
Look for metal pins or markers at lot corners and note where they are.
Gather what you have before you talk with a fence company or a surveyor.
When you gather documents, make copies and keep them together. A plat or survey is valuable when you talk with a fence company, a neighbor or an office. If you do not have one, ask your title company or the county for copies.
When to hire a surveyor
If the line is unclear, a neighbor disagrees or you plan to build close to the boundary, a professional survey settles where the line is.
A survey takes time to schedule, so plan ahead.
The cost of a survey is small compared with moving a fence.
Ask a surveyor what they will mark and how. Some mark corners with stakes or flags, and others mark the full line. Knowing what you will get helps you plan the fence and talk with neighbors.
Where to build
Many owners build slightly inside the line to avoid trespass questions and to leave room for maintenance.
Building on the line creates shared ownership questions that vary by location.
We discuss options and explain the trade-offs.
Consider maintenance when you decide how far inside the line to build. A small gap between the fence and the line lets you reach both sides for staining or repair without stepping onto a neighbor property. It also keeps small disagreements small.
Talk with your neighbor
A friendly conversation or short note before work begins explains the plan, invites questions and prevents surprises.
Share a simple drawing showing where the fence will go and which side shows the finished face.
Neighbors often have helpful information about the line and utilities.
If you plan to talk with a neighbor, bring a drawing and a sample. Visuals make conversations friendlier, and neighbors often appreciate being asked. A short note on your door can be a good start if you have not met.
Shared fences and costs
If you want to share a fence, agree on style, height, cost and maintenance in writing before building.
Local rules may govern shared fences and notice, so check.
We provide scopes that make cost sharing simple.
For a shared fence, write down who pays for what, who maintains it and what happens if one side wants to change it. A simple agreement can prevent trouble years from now, especially when properties are sold.
If you disagree
Check the survey and local rules first. Consider mediation if talking does not work.
Seek legal advice when needed.
We follow the plan you give us and do not take sides in a dispute.
If a dispute continues, remember that official records and a professional survey are the references that count. Keep your tone calm and your notes tidy. We are glad to provide measurements and photos when they help.
Confirm the line with documents or a survey, talk with your neighbor early and build to a written plan.
