Does my neighbour have to pay for half of my fence? What are the rules for fences on commercial properties?
With nearly 50 years of experience, the experts at Fence-all can answer just about any question you have about fences, railing or decks. Here are some of the questions company president Wally Montpetit and his team get on a regular basis.
Q: I am interested in buying a fence, but my friends tell me different things. Some say that your neighbour is responsible for half of the cost and others say it’s not true. Some say wood fences are the best and others say I should go with vinyl. Who do I believe?
A: There are a lot of common myths about fences, so if you’re not sure, ask one of our associates at Fence-all and they can answer all of your questions. We hear them all the time. The one about having your neighbour pay half of the cost is a common misconception. It’s certainly neighbourly to offer, but there’s no law forcing them to contribute to the costs. If they do offer to help, then the fence is usually erected directly on the property line. If you are paying out of your own pocket, then you’d best build it on your own property.
As for wood fences being the best, there’s no right or wrong answer. Much of it is personal choice. If you were to analyze the economics and include maintenance and eventual replacement costs, then vinyl fences would be cheaper over the long run.
Q: I need to build a fence for my commercial building. What are the rules for fences on commercial properties? Are they different from residential fences?
A: The rules are indeed different for commercial buildings. Fences can be higher — up to 10 feet in most cases — and they can include security features like barbed wire or razor wire, which we’ve installed for things like prisons and the airport.
As for fencing materials, anything that we do residentially can also be done for commercial buildings. If you prefer wood, iron, or vinyl instead of chain link, then that can be done, but be aware of the maintenance costs associated with the different types of fences. Fence-all offers different warranties depending on the type of material used. If your fence is ever damaged and it’s not covered by warranty — say, if a truck backs into it — we can repair and replace sections as required.
Do you have a fencing, railing or deck-related question? Send it to sales@fenceall.com or visit www.fenceall.com to find out more about Fence-all’s expert services.