Establishing Retaining Walls on Property Boundaries: What You Need to Know

A retaining wall is an unbendable wall that is specifically designed to prevent soil from moving downhill. The installation of retaining walls requires several materials, including brick, masonry, timer, and much more. Irrespective of the condition of the soil, that is, whether it is wet or dry, it requires well installation along with proper drainage so it will be able to resist any lateral intimidations. A poorly built retaining wall is prone to the risks of cracking or even collapsing altogether. In case the height of your Maple Ridge retaining walls is above a meter, then it is highly advisable to seek guidance from licensed and professional service providers such as Showcase Landscape. 

Establishment of Retaining Walls on Property Boundaries   The installation of retaining walls on property boundaries requires the permission of both property owners. It is highly advisable to stay mindful of the fact that both parties have responsibility for their actions that destabilize the wall's structural virtue. Thence, if, for some reason, the neighbor digs next to the wall, causing it to fall over or collapse, the responsibility of restoration and bringing it back to normal wholly lies on them.   

Undoubtedly, nowadays, if there's any major tension that the adjacent landowners frequently run into, then it's mostly related to the retaining walls on property boundaries. The reason for this tension is the unawareness among people about the responsibilities regarding this type of wall.Do adjacent neighbors share equal responsibility for maintaining it? Who is responsible for the funding of its restoration? Does an adjacent neighbor have the authority to demand its repair? These are some common questions that you must be wondering about.; however, don't fret!  

 

Here, in this blog, we will shed light on the facts that you must know prior to building a retaining wall next to your neighbor's garden.   

Responsibility of both neighbors for the maintenance of retaining walls  

It is worth noting that building retaining walls on the property lines needs mutual consent. Both the adjacent neighbors are supposed to share an equal responsibility toward the wall. If any of you undermines the retaining wall, it is the responsibility of that person to repair or replace it.   

Facts about the Retaining Walls Near Property Boundaries  

When a retaining wall is installed near property lines, the post and panel walls can result in a plethora of issues since they benefit only one landowner. There are numerous lawful factors that should be noted while erecting a retaining wall, such as the location of the wall, its consequences on the surrounding environment, and the menaces that it potentially produces.  

Mostly, building a retaining wall involves excavation of the land. If, in any case, the wall itself leads to encroachment or damage to the neighboring property, then the one who authorized the work is wholly responsible for the adverse consequence. The person responsible must repair or remove their retaining wall and bear all the related expenses as well as recompense for causing damage to the adjacent property. It is certainly possible that during the excavation, a boundary line fence remains undermined, thence causing the one who carried out the work to pay for the repairs. There can be an even more menacing scenario in which the project is poorly undertaken, causing the neighboring home to suffer structural instability and damage. In this case, the party who authorized the construction can be held liable for the damage. 

 

To elude such scenarios, it is highly recommended to seek guidance from the excavation experts, such as Showcase Landscape, for the installation of retaining walls with the Mini Excavation Langley. After all, building a retaining wall is a task that seeks careful, licensed, and skilled builders.   

Summary  

Installing a retaining wall is a little tedious process; nevertheless, the key to a flourishing installation is to talk to the neighbors prior to commencing any construction. Not to mention, if you are planning to revise the land's form, then you'll be accountable for the costs incurred.