I was left fuming after my neighbour put up an awful-looking DIY privacy fence – he then had the cheek to charge me half
MANY people are cleverly putting up privacy fences so their outdoor spaces aren’t on show for nosy neighbours – but it doesn’t always go down well.
One woman shared her annoyance after her neighbour put up an “awful” DIY fence between their gardens and charged her half the cost.
Taking to Reddit, she shared a photo of the fence which had slightly uneven slats of wood.
She wrote: “My neighbours DIY fencing looks awful on my side how do I confront him?
“My neighbour recently talked to me about the fact that the old fencing needs to be replaced.
“He said that he would be able to fit it and he’d just charge me for my half and not to worry.
“He was basically telling me what he was going to do rather than asking, he’s that kind of neighbour.
“I agreed on the fencing as to be honest I’m going to be doing up my garden at some point next summer anyway when I have more time to spend on it so if he wants to replace the fencing then no problem I will contribute.”
However, she was upset with the project from the moment her neighbour began.
The woman continued: “The first few panels he did I thought were not very nice looking on my side but just about ok for me to put up with them so I paid him £38 after I got a note through my door to pay him.
“However he’s just put a further two panels in which look absolutely horrid on my side and has requested a further £30.
“I don’t want him to continue, they look awful, and I have found normal looking panels for just £25 each where each of us have a good side.
“The fencing looks awful on my side and I don’t know how to confront him about this? I could have paid a similar amount for us both to have normal fencing.”
She added that she is “honestly a bit scared of confronting him” as she thinks he will be “mad” about the work he has done so far.
The woman added: “I don’t really like speaking to him because I find him overpowering, like he’s come into my front garden before and cut things without my permission on several occasions in the past..things that did not need cutting and not on his property, because he has ill sense of boundaries.
“I did have polite words after this but he’s still that type of person.”
How to create privacy in your garden
CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden:
1. Fencing
- Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy.
2. Hedges and Plants
- Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.
3. Outdoor Curtains
- Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.
4. Sound Barriers
- A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern.
After sharing her dilemma on Reddit, people were quick to give their opinions.
One said: “Put up your own fence behind it.”
Another agreed: “Conflict with your neighbours is a road to misery.”
A third commented: “Or plant a nice hedge. Much nicer to look at and the birds and other wildlife will thank you.”