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Property Line Disputes: How to Determine Boundaries Before Installing Your New Fence

Don’t Let Your Dream Fence Become a Neighborhood Nightmare: The Critical Steps to Avoid Property Line Disputes

Installing a new fence is an exciting home improvement project that promises increased privacy, security, and curb appeal. However, what starts as a simple weekend project can quickly turn into a costly legal battle if you don’t properly determine your property boundaries first. If you’re a homeowner, you’ve likely encountered the age-old question of where exactly your property ends and your neighbor’s begins. While it might seem straightforward to rely on fences or hedges as boundary markers, the reality is often more complex.

Why Property Lines Matter More Than You Think

Land Surveying plays a crucial role in determining property lines, and understanding lines of possession is key to avoiding disputes and ensuring you know what you own. Knowing the exact boundaries of your property ensures that you can exercise your rights as a homeowner without infringing on your neighbor’s property or vice versa. The consequences of getting this wrong extend far beyond simple neighborly disagreements.

There are no good options for mistakes: If you accidentally locate the fence on your neighbor’s land, it becomes your neighbor’s property. If you accidentally place the fence exactly on the property line it becomes a boundary line fence and you and your neighbor will jointly own the fence and have to make joint decisions about the maintenance of the fence. If you accidentally place the fence too far inside your property line you risk giving up property on the other side of the fence that your neighbor can eventually claim via adverse possession.

Common Causes of Property Line Disputes

Encroachments: One common reason why your fence might not align with your property line is encroachment. This occurs when a structure, such as a fence, extends beyond your property boundary and onto your neighbor’s land or vice versa. Encroachments can result from inaccuracies in old surveys, misunderstandings, intentional boundary disputes or not having a land survey performed prior to construction of features known to be near a property line.

Unclear or inaccurate property descriptions often give rise to property line disputes. Such imprecision breeds uncertainty about the demarcation between adjacent properties. Other times, physical alterations to the landscape, like erosion or the natural growth of vegetation, can blur previously established property boundaries, sparking disputes.

While physical features like fences or walls may coincide with these boundaries, they are not always accurate indicators. Instead, surveyors use various methods to determine property lines, including historical records, physical markers, and measurements.

The Professional Survey Solution

When planning a fence installation, hiring a professional surveyor is your best defense against future disputes. Most of the time, the answer is “yes” because in most New Jersey towns you need a survey to go for a permit. No survey equals no permit, which equals no fence. While requirements vary by location, the principle remains the same across the country.

If you want to install a new fence on your property, you’ll need to get a property line survey to ensure that you install the fence on the correct side of your property line. If you install your fence improperly, you’ll need to have it removed and reinstalled properly on your side of the property line. Ordering a property line survey first can mitigate the costs of fixing a mistake in property ownership.

Land surveyors use modern technology to determine the exact location of property lines. Some of their tools include theodolites, altimeters, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and 3D printers. Thanks to recent advancements in technology, land surveys are quicker and more precise than ever.

Understanding Survey Costs and Timeline

Several factors determine the price of the survey. The size of your lot matters, as well as the characteristics of your terrain. If your plot is a rectangle, it will likely cost less than if your lot lines form an irregular shape. The typical cost of a property line survey can run from $800 to $1,500, but could be more or less depending on your property.

Although skipping the survey may be tempting, if you have to re-do your fence installation, it will cost more in time and money than you saved by skipping the survey. Consider it an investment in peace of mind and legal protection.

Working with Professional Fence Installers

Once you have your property boundaries clearly established, the next step is working with experienced fence companies in delaware county pa who understand the importance of proper installation. V. Serrano’s Landscaping, serving Delaware County, Pennsylvania, combines this attention to detail with their commitment to quality craftsmanship.

As a locally-based company, V. Serrano’s Landscaping understands the specific challenges of Pennsylvania properties and local regulations. Our team combines skilled craftsmanship with top-tier customer service to make your landscaping vision a reality. From small residential yards to large commercial properties, we treat every project with care and precision. Their approach ensures that your fence installation not only looks great but also complies with all boundary requirements.

Preventing Future Disputes

Reduced Legal Risks and Disputes: If a boundary dispute arises, having an official survey on file can save time and money. It serves as legal proof of your property lines. This documentation becomes invaluable if questions arise years later, especially when selling your property or dealing with new neighbors.

This advice holds true even if you are replacing a fence on your property. Unless you have a survey in your possession that shows the fence, you have no way of knowing if that fence is in the correct location or if, in fact, you own it and have the right to replace it.

Taking Action Before Installation

Before breaking ground on your fence project, take these essential steps:

If you are thinking about building a fence, get a survey done first to be certain the fence is built just inside your property line. This simple step can save you thousands of dollars in potential legal fees, reconstruction costs, and damaged neighbor relationships.

Your fence should be a source of pride and functionality, not stress and conflict. By taking the time to properly establish your property boundaries before installation, you’re investing in a project that will serve you well for years to come while maintaining good relationships with your neighbors.