New build - best time to do the landscaping?

[nagooro]

Recently took possession of a new home, looking for some input on when to landscape (fence, deck, sod).

Neighbor #1 - house is already built, no fence between us, no landscaping done
Neighbor #2 - house is currently being built, so no fence or landscaping (should be done in next few months)

I was hoping to wait for N#2's house to be done, then do all the landscaping in one shot (sod, build deck in back, and split fence cost with each neighbor). However, my concern is that weeds are slowly taking over the front lawn (soil) and some in the back. Is waiting to do the landscaping a bad idea? Will it be harder to manage the weeds later on?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

*if N#1 and/or #2 do not want a fence, we'll cover the cost on our own.

[jwslam]

Definitely do the landscaping AFTER fences since the posts require holes

Do your neighbours WANT a fence? You can't arbitrarily decide the cost will be split.
If they don't, and you're persistent on it, then your option is full cost fence inside your property line.

[lilmira]

Do you have the grading certificate yet? May want to wait for that.

[kenny]

New build? Wait until next year so your house/dirt settles.

[ducaudi]

I'd wait as well. As for weeds, just get some Round Up and spritz it on.

[nagooro]

Definitely do the landscaping AFTER fences since the posts require holes

Do your neighbours WANT a fence? You can't arbitrarily decide the cost will be split.
If they don't, and you're persistent on it, then your option is full cost fence inside your property line.
Updated my post. If they do not want a fence, then yeah we will cover the cost on our own.


Do you have the grading certificate yet? May want to wait for that.
I don't believe we do, will go through the documents the builder gave us again. Or is this typically done by the owner some time after possession?

[dirtsniffer]

if the foundations are done you should be able to build the fence, safer bet is to wait one freeze and thaw cycle incase there are any heaves.

[lilmira]

I don't believe we do, will go through the documents the builder gave us again. Or is this typically done by the owner some time after possession?

I don't know if it's different now or with your builder. When I moved in 10yrs ago, I didn't get mine in the mail until around the next spring/summer. I didn't have to arrange anything.

[pheoxs]

Updated my post. If they do not want a fence, then yeah we will cover the cost on our own.


I don't believe we do, will go through the documents the builder gave us again. Or is this typically done by the owner some time after possession?

I got my certificate like 6 months after possession.

Definitely suggest just waiting a full year for things to settle

[nagooro]

Thanks for the replies everyone. We took possession Oct 2017, so will likely just give it some more time and do the landscaping next summer and use round up for now to control the weeds.

I'll contact my builder regarding the certificate.

[hampstor]

I'd also suggest waiting for the reasons noted above. Additionally if the homes next to you aren't done yet, the contractors may end up accessing that house through your yard and mess up your landscaping. Regardless of what the rules around that are, it's still extra work for you to deal with it.

You could do your backyard in phases so you can at least get some use out of it this summer (eg. build the deck now, do the fences once you have the neighbours in alignment, and then have the sod done at the same time/shortly after the fence goes up).

When I did my yard, I ended up having a patio and sidewalk poured first (so I could use parts of my backyard) and then dealt with the rest of it the following year.

[nismodrifter]

wait until next year, let it settle