Fence Contractor in Knoxville

June 14, 2026

Hiring a fence contractor in Knoxville involves more than choosing wood or vinyl, because a fence project ties together property lines, local zoning, utility safety, and state contractor licensing. A local installer can walk the site, confirm setbacks against City of Knoxville and Knox County zoning, set posts to handle East Tennessee’s hilly terrain and rocky soil, and arrange the utility locates Tennessee law requires before any digging. Knoxville is one of the state’s largest cities, with a population of roughly 195,185 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its blend of established neighborhoods, university-area rentals, and growing suburbs keeps demand steady for residential privacy fencing as well as commercial and agricultural work.

The licensing framework is the part homeowners most often overlook. Fence installation falls under the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors when a single project totals $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials, requiring a state contractor license backed by a $25,000 minimum monetary limit and reviewed financials. Smaller residential fence work falls under the Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies to projects valued between $3,000 and $25,000 in the counties that have adopted it, including Knox County. Apart from licensing, fence height and placement are set by local zoning ordinances and, in many subdivisions, by homeowners association rules, so a front-yard height limit or a sight-distance setback on a corner lot is a city or HOA question rather than a state one.

Two rules safeguard both safety and payment before a project starts. Before digging post holes, Tennessee law requires calling Tennessee 811, the state’s one-call utility-locate service, so buried gas, electric, water, and communication lines can be marked at no charge; skipping the locate risks injury, outages, and liability for damage, which matters especially on Knoxville’s rocky lots where digging can be unpredictable. On payment, Tennessee’s mechanics’ and materialmen’s lien law (TCA Title 66, Chapter 11) sets the notice and filing deadlines a contractor or supplier must meet to claim a lien for unpaid work, which is why a written contract with milestone payments tied to completed phases is sensible. Sales tax applies to fence materials too: in Knox County the combined state and local rate is 9.25%, so an itemized invoice that separates materials, labor, and tax helps buyers understand the total.

Material choice in Knoxville balances terrain, climate, and budget. Wood, usually cedar or pressure-treated pine, remains the most common privacy option, though East Tennessee’s humidity and freeze-thaw swings make staining and sealing worthwhile. Vinyl costs more up front but resists rot with minimal upkeep, ornamental aluminum suits decorative and pool enclosures where code requires self-closing and self-latching gates, and chain link stays the economical choice for large or sloped yards, dog runs, and commercial sites. Farm and agricultural fencing is also common in the surrounding counties. Consumer protection for fence buyers runs through the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), which handles complaints about deceptive practices, and a contractor’s license status can be checked through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov before signing.

Top Fence Contractor Providers in Knoxville

1. Southern Fence Company

Address: 8503 Old Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924
Phone: (865) 378-0608
Website: https://www.southernfenceknox.com
Services: wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link fencing, gate installation and operators, old fence removal, residential and commercial installation
Description: Southern Fence Company is a Knoxville fence contractor located on Old Rutledge Pike in the 37924 area, describing itself as a second-generation, family-owned business with more than 30 years of experience. The company is licensed and insured and installs wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link fencing for residential and commercial customers, along with gate installation and operators and removal of old fencing. Its service area is broad across East Tennessee, listing roughly 30 communities that include Knoxville and West Knoxville, Farragut, Karns, Powell, Oak Ridge, Maryville, Alcoa, Clinton, Seymour, Lenoir City, and Sevierville. The company also advertises veteran and military discounts and a Pilot Homes Program discount.

2. Loudon County Fence, LLC

Address: 5482 Hwy 321 N, Lenoir City, TN 37771 (serves Knoxville and Knox County)
Phone: (865) 988-9935
Website: https://www.lcfence.com
Services: wood, ornamental and aluminum, chain link, vinyl, and agricultural and farm fencing, residential and commercial installation, dumpster gates, automated gates, gate installation
Description: Loudon County Fence is a state-licensed fence contractor based on Highway 321 N in Lenoir City, just southwest of Knoxville, that serves Knoxville, Knox County, Farragut, Oak Ridge, and surrounding East Tennessee counties. The company was founded in 1973 and cites more than 50 years of experience, and it is veteran-owned and Google Guaranteed. It holds Tennessee contractor license #54371, described as an unlimited license, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau, the American Fence Association, and several local chambers of commerce. On the residential side it installs wood, ornamental and aluminum, chain link, vinyl, and agricultural fencing, and on the commercial side it provides chain link, ornamental and metal fencing, dumpster gates, and automated gate systems. Because the company operates from Lenoir City rather than within Knox County, buyers should confirm scheduling and coverage for their specific Knoxville address.

3. Cantrell Fence & Stain

Address: Knoxville, TN (street address not published; confirm by phone)
Phone: (865) 437-4037
Website: https://www.cantrellfence.com
Services: aluminum, wood, vinyl, chain link, commercial chain link, and rail fencing, custom fence installation, professional staining, fence repairs
Description: Cantrell Fence & Stain is a Knoxville-area fence contractor serving Knox County and neighboring counties across East Tennessee. The company installs aluminum, wood, vinyl, chain link, commercial chain link, and rail fencing, and it differentiates itself with a dedicated professional staining service alongside custom installation and fence repairs. It holds Tennessee contractor license number 11426146 and is a member of the Home Builders Association of Knoxville and the American Fence Association. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Cantrell does not publish a street address on its site, so buyers should confirm its location and service details by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Contractor in Knoxville

Q: Does a fence contractor in Knoxville need a license?

A fence contractor needs a Tennessee state contractor license from the Board for Licensing Contractors when a project totals $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials. Smaller residential projects valued between $3,000 and $25,000 fall under the Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies in Knox County. You can verify a contractor’s license status through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov before signing a contract.

Q: Do I need to call 811 before installing a fence in Knoxville?

Yes. Tennessee law requires contacting Tennessee 811, the state’s one-call service, before digging post holes so buried utilities can be located and marked at no cost. This is especially important on Knoxville’s rocky, hilly lots where digging can be unpredictable, and it shifts liability appropriately when the locate is done correctly. Most contractors handle the 811 request as part of their process, but homeowners should confirm it was made before any digging begins.

Q: How tall can my fence be in Knoxville?

Fence height is set by City of Knoxville and Knox County zoning ordinances rather than by state law, and limits commonly differ between front and back yards, with sight-distance setbacks on corner lots. Many subdivisions also fall under homeowners association rules covering height, style, and materials. Confirm the allowable height with local codes and your HOA before installation.

Q: How much is sales tax on fence materials in Knoxville?

Fence materials are subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus Knox County’s local option tax, for a combined rate of 9.25%. Labor may be taxed differently depending on how the contractor structures the transaction, so request an itemized invoice that separates materials, labor, and tax.

Q: What protects me if a fence contractor does not finish the job?

A written contract with payment milestones tied to completed phases offers the strongest protection. Tennessee’s mechanics’ and materialmen’s lien law (TCA Title 66, Chapter 11) sets the notice and filing deadlines a contractor or supplier must meet to claim a lien for unpaid work, which is one reason to keep payment records and avoid large upfront payments. Disputes over deceptive practices can be reported to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104).

Q: Does the slope of my yard affect a fence installation in Knoxville?

Yes. East Tennessee’s hilly terrain often requires stepped or raked fence panels to follow grade changes, and rocky soil can affect post depth and the equipment needed for digging. A local contractor can assess slope and soil during the site visit and recommend a layout, panel style, and post-setting method suited to your lot, which is one reason to choose an installer familiar with Knoxville conditions.