How Much Value Does a Fence Add to Your Home?

If you are reading this you are probably either contemplating putting up a fence, or are selling your house that is already fenced, and trying to figure out if the fence will increase, decrease or not affect the amount of money you can get for your property.  In any case there is no absolute answer as to whether the fence will impact the property value in any way; rather, any rise or fall or indifference in property value is dependent upon variables such as neighborhood, type of fence, architectural structure within the area, whether the property is in a rural, sub-urban or urban area, what state the property is in, and the culture of the locals among other factors. The question then becomes, “Does a fence add value to your home?” rather than, “How much value does a fence add to your home”.  A simple answer to the question hinges on the reason the fence was erected in the first place:  was it for privacy, security, or for some other reason? If we look at properties as they stand in rural areas the property value may not be impacted at all since for the most part fences there are primarily for land demarcation, and perhaps keeping livestock in or out. With the nature of urban areas; if the property is not attached with no space for fencing since the walls act like the fence, it makes sense to have security and safety fences, which do increase the value of the home.  The question then mainly surrounds the suburban areas, or less urban areas.

It is in these suburbs that we consider the domino effect of the purpose for a person erecting a fence to dictate the type of fence that a person would put up: wood, brick, chain-link etc., and would ultimately help dictate whether the fence would impact property value.  The main reason, and perhaps most noble reason that people erect fences is for privacy. It makes sense that a fence erected for privacy would add value to the property, and it usually does because it is often times more durable, more attractive than a chain-link, see-through fence; it can provide a hidden getaway or enchanted garden that can be particularly attractive in areas where a summer and fall retreat is welcome after the long winter; it can provide good an entertaining space, and it can ward off a peeping Tom. While it may seem like the benefits of having a privacy fence is a no brainer for increasing property value, in an affluent neighborhood, where there are no fences, the value of the property may decrease because of the fence. The thought process here is that a fence suggest bars and detainment, while the rich (and famous) are in their success supposed to be experiencing abundant freedom.  A solution that would address that issue could be to have partial fencing in which only an area or the back yard is fenced to allow for private outdoor activities like barbecues and garden parties.

Persons who have security fence usually fence all around.  While some believe that a fence front yard brings down property value, others believe that having the entire property secure raises its value.

Other benefits of having a fence which should all increase a property’s value are: reducing noise level in areas near to highways; establishing property boundaries; keeping insects in check – especially during summer; keeping the neighbors weeds from infesting your lawn; keeping out stray animals and neighbor children who may want to use the property as a thoroughfare or shortcut; creating curb appeal by having ornate entry columns on the fence gates, or some distinctive family marker; making younger children safe so that they don’t wander into or play in the streets; securing planting produce; among much more. However, appraisers rely more on what is consistent in the neighborhood than on the reality of benefits that a having a fence causes. They also assess the type of fence that is being erected and the maintenance of the fence.  A fence that is bend on increasing the property value of a house can therefore add an additional $500 to $5000 on a property value.  According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, landscaping, of which fencing is a big part, can increase property value by up to 20% because curb appeal is the initial impression that a buyer has when viewing properties (ASLA.org).

In general, the best chance of having a fence increase property value, is erecting an attractive fence, that screams definition, rather than prison, and maintain it regularly.