Hello everyone and happy Easter,
I hope I’m roughly in the right place here, and I would like to get some quick feedback on the following situation. We have the problem that after construction work near the property boundary with our neighbor, our land is about 10–20 cm (4–8 inches) higher than the neighbor’s land along a length of approximately 20 meters (65 feet). This neighbor has had a chain-link fence right at the boundary for a long time and now wants us to somehow retain the "slope."
We would be happy to accommodate this request. On top of that, we would also like to install a privacy screen (wood, larch or Douglas fir) with a minimum height of 180 cm (70 inches) measured from the neighbor’s side. In addition, there is a narrow spot due to an external staircase where only about 1.3 m (4 feet 3 inches) of space is available, and as much of that as possible should remain for a walkway that still needs to be built. The location is only accessible via an approximately 100 m (330 feet) long pedestrian path, so using an excavator is already challenging.
The following solutions have come to my mind so far:
a) Install the privacy screen at the neighbor’s height. Foundations 20 x 20 x 80 cm (8 x 8 x 31 inches). I will probably have to dig the holes by hand with a spade, since there is too little room for a drill because of the fence. Behind that, level out with small L-shaped retaining blocks. The combined width of posts (9 cm / 3.5 inches) plus the blocks (6 cm / 2.5 inches) would likely take up at least 15 cm (6 inches). The difficulty here is that the post foundations might make it harder to set the L-blocks, and visually it is not my favorite solution.
b) Like option a), but have the post foundations protrude up to our height and then place the L-shaped blocks between the post foundations. This is certainly not the easiest to implement. Also, the part of the post foundation that remains visible would have to be fairly thick to securely hold the H-anchor. Probably in the end no big space advantage, at least not for the posts.
c) Retaining wall made of shuttering blocks 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) thick. Anchors for the posts would then be screwed onto the wall. I assume the foundation must be at least 80 cm (31 inches) deep from the neighbor’s height, which would require a lot of concrete. This would probably be my favorite option because it frees up the most space, but it also likely demands by far the most work. Moreover, that amount of concrete feels like a lot for a slope of only about 20 cm (8 inches), although the posts definitely must be solidly anchored so the fence will not fall over along with the wall in the next storm (Hamburg).
d) Heavy reinforced L-shaped blocks onto which, as in option c), the anchors are screwed. I would prefer to avoid this because of the difficult accessibility.
I would be very interested to hear other opinions here. Maybe all these ideas are rubbish and there are much better solutions. Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Best regards
I hope I’m roughly in the right place here, and I would like to get some quick feedback on the following situation. We have the problem that after construction work near the property boundary with our neighbor, our land is about 10–20 cm (4–8 inches) higher than the neighbor’s land along a length of approximately 20 meters (65 feet). This neighbor has had a chain-link fence right at the boundary for a long time and now wants us to somehow retain the "slope."
We would be happy to accommodate this request. On top of that, we would also like to install a privacy screen (wood, larch or Douglas fir) with a minimum height of 180 cm (70 inches) measured from the neighbor’s side. In addition, there is a narrow spot due to an external staircase where only about 1.3 m (4 feet 3 inches) of space is available, and as much of that as possible should remain for a walkway that still needs to be built. The location is only accessible via an approximately 100 m (330 feet) long pedestrian path, so using an excavator is already challenging.
The following solutions have come to my mind so far:
a) Install the privacy screen at the neighbor’s height. Foundations 20 x 20 x 80 cm (8 x 8 x 31 inches). I will probably have to dig the holes by hand with a spade, since there is too little room for a drill because of the fence. Behind that, level out with small L-shaped retaining blocks. The combined width of posts (9 cm / 3.5 inches) plus the blocks (6 cm / 2.5 inches) would likely take up at least 15 cm (6 inches). The difficulty here is that the post foundations might make it harder to set the L-blocks, and visually it is not my favorite solution.
b) Like option a), but have the post foundations protrude up to our height and then place the L-shaped blocks between the post foundations. This is certainly not the easiest to implement. Also, the part of the post foundation that remains visible would have to be fairly thick to securely hold the H-anchor. Probably in the end no big space advantage, at least not for the posts.
c) Retaining wall made of shuttering blocks 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) thick. Anchors for the posts would then be screwed onto the wall. I assume the foundation must be at least 80 cm (31 inches) deep from the neighbor’s height, which would require a lot of concrete. This would probably be my favorite option because it frees up the most space, but it also likely demands by far the most work. Moreover, that amount of concrete feels like a lot for a slope of only about 20 cm (8 inches), although the posts definitely must be solidly anchored so the fence will not fall over along with the wall in the next storm (Hamburg).
d) Heavy reinforced L-shaped blocks onto which, as in option c), the anchors are screwed. I would prefer to avoid this because of the difficult accessibility.
I would be very interested to hear other opinions here. Maybe all these ideas are rubbish and there are much better solutions. Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Best regards
H
hampshire4 Apr 2021 16:55e: Ask the neighbor if they agree to give up the 180cm (6 feet) privacy screen on their chain-link fence. Choose the privacy screen together. If they don’t want to invest but agree, you pay for it yourself and that’s fine.
If they do not want the tall privacy screen, it may not be possible anyway depending on the building regulations / planning permission.
If they do not want the tall privacy screen, it may not be possible anyway depending on the building regulations / planning permission.
hampshire schrieb:
e: Ask the neighbor if they agree to remove the 180cm (6 feet) chain-link fence to install a privacy screen instead. Choose the privacy screen together. If they don’t want to invest but agree, then pay for it yourself.
If they don’t want the tall privacy screen, depending on local building regulations / planning permission, it might not be possible anyway.There is no cooperation here; we don’t see eye to eye. I could say it’s not my fault, but he would probably say the same. A solid fence is allowed here in Hamburg up to 2m (6.5 feet) except in the front yard.
haydee schrieb:
What are you trying to block at a maximum of 20 cm (8 inches)? Use simple curbstones 20 or 30 cm (8 or 12 inches) high. Any privacy screen you like, especially if you are allowed 2 m (6.5 feet) height. Well, as I said, we don’t completely agree. During the construction phase, some soil ended up against his chain-link fence, and since then the relationship has been a bit difficult. Even if it’s only 20 cm (8 inches), it has to be secure. The downside of curbstones is that they need to be backfilled with concrete on both sides.
H
hampshire4 Apr 2021 23:06It’s unfortunate when small issues around a fence can’t be resolved. At least there is still the prospect of several years of living as neighbors. Whether it’s worth withdrawing from communication, even if the other party shows a difficult side, is questionable. I wish you all the best.
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