A fencer quoted for panels, concrete posts & 12" gravel boards - previous wooden posts had rotted. He said neighbour's decking goes over the boundary in places, so he can't put in a straight fence on our joint boundary. He told me to run a piece of string along its length to see for myself, & discuss with my neighbour. As it is, he can only put it inside my boundary at a bit of an angle to my house (this is a modern-ish estate of box houses).
A re-sited fence, like that, tacitly accepts a boundary change, & could annoy potential new owners when I move (next year ?). My neighbour has kindly said: "Do what you need to do." He doesn't 'use' or maintain the garden or decking - which may disintegrate in time.
The decking is higher near the house & you step down to the next level where a balustrade crosses it mid-way. Down to the balustrade on my side, a piece of 70mm wide 'trim' concealed unevenly cut decking along the fence line. The decking could now be cut along the boundary line.
The problems come with the vertical post that supports his balustrade on my side. It (+ a horizontal plank on top) extends over the boundary line in total by 4". At ground level, the bottom 4" of the vertical post has been cut away on my side, (so it forms an upside down 'L' notch, suggesting that someone at that point was keeping to the boundary line - otherwise, why cut into the base of a vertical support ?).
You step down to the lower decking, laid diagonally, so it's not obvious from my neighbour's side that beyond the balustrade, the decking gradually encroaches over the boundary on my side. From balustrade to end of decking (3/4 way down the garden) the over-reach becomes 4" at the far corner. Here, under the decking, there is a solid support, set in about 25mm.
To cut a long story short, I wonder about asking a carpenter to tidy up the decking, & cut back the balustrade & decking supports so the fence can be close to the boundary on my side. Is this a rational thing to do ?? or should I just go ahead & put a fence in 'off' the boundary line: I don't have the experience to know whether it would look odd or if it may cause future boundary issues for anyone who takes over my house. Can anyone give guidance as to whether 'trimming' his decking & the 2 supports is a waste of time/effort or a sensible investment of time & effort. (all apparently for the sake of 4"). Very grateful for your comments & apologies for long post.
A re-sited fence, like that, tacitly accepts a boundary change, & could annoy potential new owners when I move (next year ?). My neighbour has kindly said: "Do what you need to do." He doesn't 'use' or maintain the garden or decking - which may disintegrate in time.
The decking is higher near the house & you step down to the next level where a balustrade crosses it mid-way. Down to the balustrade on my side, a piece of 70mm wide 'trim' concealed unevenly cut decking along the fence line. The decking could now be cut along the boundary line.
The problems come with the vertical post that supports his balustrade on my side. It (+ a horizontal plank on top) extends over the boundary line in total by 4". At ground level, the bottom 4" of the vertical post has been cut away on my side, (so it forms an upside down 'L' notch, suggesting that someone at that point was keeping to the boundary line - otherwise, why cut into the base of a vertical support ?).
You step down to the lower decking, laid diagonally, so it's not obvious from my neighbour's side that beyond the balustrade, the decking gradually encroaches over the boundary on my side. From balustrade to end of decking (3/4 way down the garden) the over-reach becomes 4" at the far corner. Here, under the decking, there is a solid support, set in about 25mm.
To cut a long story short, I wonder about asking a carpenter to tidy up the decking, & cut back the balustrade & decking supports so the fence can be close to the boundary on my side. Is this a rational thing to do ?? or should I just go ahead & put a fence in 'off' the boundary line: I don't have the experience to know whether it would look odd or if it may cause future boundary issues for anyone who takes over my house. Can anyone give guidance as to whether 'trimming' his decking & the 2 supports is a waste of time/effort or a sensible investment of time & effort. (all apparently for the sake of 4"). Very grateful for your comments & apologies for long post.