Hello everyone!
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
I’ve mentioned before that we plan to install a wooden privacy fence along the side of our property bordering the neighbor. The plan was for rounded fence panels, 180cm (71 inches) tall at the highest point and the same width.
The local DIY store gave me a quote for the materials, including delivery. Normally, this store is not particularly expensive.
The total for materials for 19.5m (64 feet) of fencing came to over 1000€. The panels themselves were about 500€, with the rest being the “miscellaneous parts.” One costly item is the wood stain planned (three times 4L (1 gallon) of Bondex long-lasting protective stain) for nearly 200€. The advisor also said we need to use H-posts and set them in concrete. He quoted a 40kg (88 lbs) bag of screed concrete for each post.
I know that here in northern Germany it’s probably better to set the posts in concrete, but do I really need 400kg (880 lbs) of concrete for a 19.5m (64 feet) wooden fence? It seems crazy to me.
With L-brackets, screws, posts, etc., the entire project came to just over 1000€, and then we still have to assemble it ourselves — and we’re not sure if we can manage that. I had originally thought of using the quick-setting concrete that only needs watering, but I expected 2–3 bags would be enough.
Do you think the quote for materials is realistic? I’m a bit shocked.
Now we’re considering alternatives. For example, I could order a mixed package of “natural hedge bouquet” with 160 plants online for about 280€, which would green up the whole garden and cost only about a quarter of what the fence would. However, the noise insulation to the neighbor’s property would probably be weaker than with a wooden fence (anyone with experience here?), and we would have to wait a few years until the plants grow tall enough to screen the view of the metal shed. But honestly, I’d almost prefer to invest a four-figure amount in greenery rather than in a fence.
What would you recommend?
P
pagoni20201 Jun 2021 11:22You "must" resolve this directly with your neighbors!
I believe I won’t be able to avoid at least 15 meters (50 feet). Regarding sound insulation, I’ve done some research, and the general consensus is that there must be no gaps in the sound barrier, otherwise sound will just travel around it. That makes sense, since sound behaves like a wave. Since we have almost 20 meters (65 feet) of completely open property boundary, 5 meters (16 feet) probably won’t make any difference for me.
The wooden fence probably won’t help either.
The situation is so difficult, I honestly just want to move away. 🙁
The wooden fence probably won’t help either.
The situation is so difficult, I honestly just want to move away. 🙁
Schimi17911 Jun 2021 11:50kati1337 schrieb:
...
The situation is so difficult, I would really prefer to move out. 🙁 😱What does your husband say about the situation?
kati1337 schrieb:
...
It can’t be that I built a detached house and on Sunday evenings I can’t watch TV in peace. 🙁It can happen, but it shouldn’t!P
pagoni20201 Jun 2021 11:50kati1337 schrieb:
The situation is so complicated that I would really prefer to move out. That should probably only be considered after all other options have been exhausted.
I still believe that a truly open and honest conversation, where the neighbors address your "problem" and, even if out of pure consideration, they don't necessarily have to fully understand it, is the best approach. It’s understandable to be hesitant because things could also turn out badly, but half measures won’t help either. What would they gain if suddenly someone with pit bulls moves in next door and all the boys play drums...?
It’s worth a try, but it should be well prepared; you can also seek competent advice for that!
Only if none of this works— and only then! —should you consider moving out if it’s really affecting you negatively. It probably sounds terrible right now, but who knows... you already have these thoughts, and... every beginning holds... 😉.
But there is still plenty of room to explore other options!
A structural modification is unlikely to solve this.
Schimi17911 Jun 2021 11:58pagoni2020 schrieb:
...
Only if none of that works, and only then!, can you still consider moving out if it’s making you feel bad.
...How is this supposed to work in practice? Sell the house and buy or build a new one? How would you explain that to the “buyers coming after you”? As far as I know, issues like these with neighbors should be addressed upfront. Otherwise, it might be considered fraudulent misrepresentation (?). Also, the new neighborhood would be uncertain as well.Similar topics