Should I get a survey done before replacing a fence that's been there for 20 years in BC?

Yes, getting a property survey before replacing a long-standing fence is strongly recommended in BC — and for a fence that's been in place for 20 years, it's arguably essential. A fence that was installed two decades ago may not be on the actual property line, and replacing it in the same location without verifying the boundary can perpetuate or even create a legal problem that's far more expensive than the cost of a survey.

The core issue is that the original fence may never have been on the property line to begin with. Twenty years ago, the homeowner who installed it may have eyeballed the boundary, relied on a neighbour's verbal agreement, or simply matched the position of an even older fence. Over those 20 years, property ownership may have changed multiple times on both sides, and the current neighbours may have very different expectations about where the boundary sits. Without a survey, you have no way to know whether the existing fence is 6 inches on your side, dead on the line, or 6 inches on your neighbour's property.

In British Columbia, there is a legal concept called "adverse possession" that makes old fence lines particularly tricky. Under the BC Limitation Act, if someone has openly and continuously possessed land (including a strip beyond a fence) for 15 years or more, they may have a claim to that land — even if it's technically on your side of the legal property line. A 20-year-old fence that's been sitting 12 inches inside your neighbour's property could mean your neighbour has been "possessing" that strip for longer than the limitation period. Conversely, if the fence is 12 inches inside your property, your neighbour may have acquired rights to that strip. These situations are legally complex and can require a property lawyer to sort out, but a survey is the essential first step in understanding where things stand.

A boundary survey by a licensed BC Land Surveyor (BCLS) typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 for a standard residential lot in Metro Vancouver, depending on lot size, terrain, access, and whether existing survey pins can be located. The surveyor will research the legal plan of your property at the BC Land Title Office, locate or re-establish survey monuments (iron pins or posts set at property corners), and provide you with a survey certificate showing the exact legal boundaries. Some surveyors offer a less expensive "fence location" service ($500 to $1,500) that simply determines where the existing fence sits relative to the property line without a full boundary re-establishment.

The practical benefits of surveying before replacing extend beyond legal protection. If the survey confirms the fence is on the property line, you and your neighbour can discuss sharing the replacement cost under the BC Property Law Act, which provides that boundary fence costs may be shared between adjoining property owners. If the fence is entirely on your property, you know you're replacing your own fence and have full control over material, style, and timing. If it turns out the fence is on your neighbour's property, you've avoided the expensive mistake of paying to replace someone else's fence — or worse, building a new fence on land you don't own.

Talk to your neighbour before the survey. A property survey is not an adversarial act — frame it as a practical step to ensure the replacement fence is in the right place so both of you can benefit. Many neighbours are relieved to have clarity, especially if they've also been unsure about the boundary. If your neighbour is hostile to the idea, that's actually a stronger reason to get the survey done before investing thousands of dollars in a new fence.

When you can potentially skip the survey: If you have a recent survey (within the last 5 to 10 years) that shows the fence location relative to the property line, and the fence hasn't moved, you may be able to rely on that existing survey. Also, if you're replacing the fence in the identical location and both you and your neighbour are in clear written agreement about the boundary, some homeowners proceed without a new survey — though this still carries some risk.

The $1,000 to $3,000 cost of a survey is a small fraction of a fence replacement project that will typically cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Think of it as insurance against a boundary dispute that could cost $10,000 to $50,000 in legal fees and forced fence removal. If you need help finding a fence contractor after your survey confirms the boundary, Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with experienced professionals for free.

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