"The Neighbor Fence Dilemma and Solutions"

Fences mark the boundaries, provide privacy, and form the backdrop for your landscaping. Appearance should blend with and compliment the property as a whole.

A "neighbor fence" is of course a wood fence that separates your property from that of a neighbor. But there is another meaning, the "classic neighbor fence" - probably built by the original developer. It alternates the finished side from section
to section, so that every other section (post to post) faces the other direction.

The fence sits on the property line, so care of the fence falls to the property owner on each side - even if they did not build the fence.

If not a "classic neighbor fence", odds are that "he who has the finished side, built and paid for it". Nonetheless, the other side, the "back side" is now the responsibility of the neighbor.

These distinctions are blurred when neither neighbor was the homeowner when the present fence was built.

Unless the fence is "double clad" (pickets on both sides), a broken picket is a problem for both sides. Regardless, a bad post - leaning or worse - is a problem for both neighbors. But whose responsibility to fix? Both of course, but not always seen that way. This is illustrated by the following true story.

A heavy wind dropped a wood fence onto neighbor A's backyard. He tried to start a discussion with neighbor B, who cut him off with "what do you mean "OUR" fence". Rebuffed, neighbor A propped the fence back up with a slight lean toward B's side. Sure enough, the next big wind dropped the fence onto B's backyard. Whereupon, B came to A and said, "uh, what can WE do about OUR fence problem"?

SOLUTIONS: A new fence of course, but that requires mutual agreement and cost sharing of considerable dollars. A new wood fence will cost between $30 and $50 per linear foot, depending on height, design complexity, and quality. This may also disrupt some well established landscaping, etc., on your neighbor's side, further eroding his desire for a new fence.

And, of course, you probably have at least three different fence-neighbors, each with a different situation.

A BETTER SOLUTION: "Just fix your side". Even if you foot the bill for broken pickets and leaning posts, the cost will probably be less than half the cost of a new fence - and you avoid the inconvenience of neighbor participation.  And, the cost could  be as a little as 1/3 of new fence cost.

A DOUBLE CLAD SOLUTION: Suppose you want a "new fence" anyway, and all or part of the fence on your side is the "back side". Let us install NEW PICKETS on your side. Even with some cost for structural repairs and necessary framework, the total cost will still be much less than a new fence, and you again avoid the neighbor participation requirement. Probably not much more than half the cost of a new fence.

Let US DISCUSS the economies of MFW Wood Fence Restoration versus a replacement new fence of the same design and quality of construction.

Wood Fence Restoration consists of repairs, restoring “good wood”, and color enhancing preservation – cost is typically in the range of 1/3 to half the cost of replacement with a new fence. But there are further advantages. Compare below:

Neighbor involvement: MFW - scant ...... NEW - considerable

Attachment Quality: MFW - Coated Deck Screws .. NEW - nails

Preserved Finish: MFW -YES ........... NEW - No

Attractive Life: MFW - 5 years + ... NEW - as little as 1 year

Notes of Qualification:

Replacement with a new fence necessarily includes the cost and waste of disposing of the old fence.

Nails can wiggle loose over time and may corrode and leave dripping stains.

Attached ornate greenery can be saved in Restoration. Hard to do when they fence is torn down for replacement.

Staining a fence only presently-changes the color and offers scant protection. Often looks "ragged" after a couple of years, wearing off irregularly from uneven application, lawn sprinkler attack, and patterns of rainfall and sunlight.

The MFW preservative process is a proprietary formula designed to enhance the natural color of the underlying wood and to protect the wood from UV degradation, warp, and wood rot.

It is the UV rays of sunlight that so quickly turn the surface of new wood from beige to grey. The MFW process developed by myself, Larry D. Jones, is based on preservation technology and principles. Initial field testing, begun in 2006, has resulted in retention of the “gold/beige" preserved finish coloration for periods in excess of ten years. 

Actual MFW field service is done in collaboration with my son Carlos and his own successful company, KleaningAmerica, a pressure washing enterprise patterned after my Clean-America business of several decades ago. Continuity thus assured.

WITH MFW PERIODIC REJUVENATION SERVICE - after initial restoration – the finish can be rejuvenated at nominal cost, as "costly surface preparation" is NOT required, as might be the case with a painted fence. Gate adjustments and any needed repairs - “a stitch in time, saves nine” - can be made. In this manner, your fence can be kept healthy and attractive indefinitely.

That is, you never need built a new fence again.

LEANING FENCES can happen for several different reasons including rotted/severed posts at ground level, inadequate original post installation, growth of trees now competing for space with the fence (the tree usually wins), and the “Bellaire Lean” a curious condition where the post has been otherwise properly installed into “raised elevation” soil – common after the “Allison” flooding of 2001 – and in the ensuing years, the various fill soils move and settle in odd patterns leaving posts and their concrete boots firmly entrenched at other than straight up vertical angles.

Leaning fence solutions can be compounded by underground pipes and cables laid across or next to the fence. We have solutions for ALL of these various leaning fence problems.

NEED MORE? We dog-proof the fence and we fix gates to open, close, and latch easily. And warrant same for your lifetime. That is, if ever the dog breaks or tunnels an escape route out, or the gate needs adjustment - we will fix the problem, free. Nothing worse than a balky gate or a lost pet.

CAN a NEW FENCE (built by others) be “MFW preserved”? Yes, and the cost will typically be less than 20% of the cost of that new fence. So, if you do build a new fence, let us protect your investment.

CAN MFW BUILD a NEW FENCE? Yes, we could, and do where it is needed for sections of a fence restoration.

DOES MFW BID ON NEW FENCING? No, we do not – for several reasons including allocation of manpower - and disapproval of the ecological results of arbitrary new fence replacement – that is, landfill waste and the fact that a small grove of trees will have to be cut down, processed, and transported just to build a single new fence.

We will be pleased to provide a report, an assessment of your wood fencing, along with recommendations for prioritized remedial actions. There is no cost for this aspect of service.

Best to email me at LDJones59@yahoo.com - we will need email communication.  844-744-4050 and you can leave a message and please include your street address and email address.

More information on MiracleFenceWorks.com and here elsewhere on BellaireConnect.