Things You'll Need:
- Fencing materials
- Tools, such as saws and drills
- Written good neighbor agreement
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Step 1
Choose a fence that will complement your home and your neighborhood. For instance, you may want to choose a picket fence for more traditional architecture, such as Colonial pillboxes, or a seaport picket if you live closer to the beach. Remember, a good neighbor fence by definition should not alienate the people who live around you by being gaudy or mismatched to the tone of your street.
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Step 2
Consult with your next-door neighbor, or any property owner that shares a boundary, on the proper selection of a good neighbor fence. Once again, the definition of this type of fence should imply that both neighbors approve of the type of fence to be built, and its precise location. If possible, draft a written agreement between you and your neighbor in which every specification of the fence is approved.
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Step 3
Select the materials needed to build the fence. You can build it using raw materials, such as lumber and paint, or you can purchase an entire prefabricated kit, which may contain lattices, gates and even archways.
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Step 4
Mark the location of the fence with stakes before you start to build it. Ask your neighbor to inspect the location and the building materials before you begin. You may wish to consult with a local zoning inspector to ensure that the fence is either completely on your property, or straddles the property line in a way that is neither intrusive nor controversial to your neighbor.
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Step 5
Build your good neighbor fence. Continue to be a good neighbor by keeping all materials on your property, and to avoid having debris from the construction drift across the property line. If you need to use power tools to cut raw material, set up a prep site in your garage or backyard, where it may be less annoying to your neighbors.
