Fence Contractor in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Choosing a fence contractor in Memphis means more than picking a material, because a fence project sits at the intersection of property lines, local zoning, utility safety, and state contractor licensing. A local installer can walk the lot, check setbacks against City of Memphis and Shelby County zoning, set posts to handle the area’s expansive clay soils, and arrange the utility locates Tennessee law requires before any digging. Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 618,980 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its mix of older established neighborhoods and active commercial corridors keeps demand strong for residential privacy fencing as well as commercial security and chain link work.

The licensing rules are the part buyers most often misjudge. 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 supported 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 Shelby County. Separate from licensing, fence height and placement are controlled by local zoning ordinances and, in many subdivisions, by homeowners association rules, so a front-yard height cap or a corner-lot visibility setback is a city or HOA matter rather than a state one.

Two rules protect safety and payment before a project begins. 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 any damage. 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 as well: in Shelby County the combined state and local rate is 9.75%, so an itemized invoice that breaks out materials, labor, and tax helps buyers understand the total.

Material selection in Memphis balances climate, budget, and use. Wood, typically cedar or pressure-treated pine, remains the most common privacy choice, though the region’s heat and humidity make periodic staining and sealing worthwhile. Vinyl costs more initially but resists rot and fading with little upkeep, ornamental aluminum and steel suit decorative and pool enclosures where code requires self-closing and self-latching gates, and chain link stays the economical option for large yards, dog runs, and commercial perimeters. 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 verified through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov before signing.

Top Fence Contractor Providers in Memphis

1. Memphis Fence Company

Address: 1380 N Willett St, Memphis, TN 38108
Phone: (901) 278-9710
Website: https://memphisfence.com
Services: aluminum, chain link, vinyl, wood, ornamental steel, metal panel, wire, and expanded metal fencing, automated and manual gate systems, access control, bollards, guard rails, railings, temporary fencing, custom fabrication, powder coating, fence repair
Description: Memphis Fence Company is a Memphis fence contractor founded in 1971 and located on North Willett Street in the 38108 area. The company focuses heavily on commercial fencing and installs aluminum, chain link, vinyl, wood, ornamental steel, metal panel, wire, and expanded metal, and it builds automated, manual, estate, and access-control gate systems. Distinguishing it from many installers, the company operates an in-house custom fabrication shop and offers powder coating with an oven capacity of roughly 10 by 10 by 27 feet, allowing it to finish gates, bollards, guard rails, and railings on site. It is an American Fence Association Pro Award winner for commercial chain link fence work and a member of the Associated General Contractors of America, and it provides material sales, temporary fencing, fence repair, and a one-year workmanship warranty on installations.

2. Bluff City Fence Company

Address: 5055 Macon Road, Memphis, TN 38122
Phone: (901) 767-8080
Website: https://bluffcityfence.com
Services: wood, PVC and vinyl, and ornamental fencing, privacy, security, and temporary fences, automatic gates, pool and dog kennel fences, decks and pergolas, fence repair and replacement, stain and seal, weatherproofing
Description: Bluff City Fence Company is a Memphis fence contractor founded in 1972 and operating for more than 50 years from Macon Road in the 38122 area. The company is licensed, bonded, and insured, holding Tennessee Home Improvement License #8786, and it belongs to the Memphis Builders Exchange, the Better Business Bureau, the American Fence Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors. Bluff City is a certified fence contractor and a PostMaster Fence System specialist, and it installs wood, PVC and vinyl, and ornamental fencing along with privacy, security, and temporary fences, automatic gates, pool and dog kennel enclosures, and decks and pergolas. Additional services include fence repair and replacement, mailbox replacement, weatherproofing, and Wood Defender stain application. Its service area covers Memphis and surrounding communities including Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland, and Millington.

3. Heritage Fence Company LLC

Address: Memphis, TN (street address not published; confirm by phone)
Phone: (662) 850-1217
Website: https://heritagefencellc.com
Services: wood (pressure-treated pine, western red cedar, Japanese cedar), vinyl, ornamental metal and iron, chain link, welded and woven wire, and composite fencing, custom design and fabrication, gate installation and operators, deck construction, perimeter, agricultural, and silt fencing, custom railings
Description: Heritage Fence Company is a veteran-owned, licensed Tennessee fence contractor serving Memphis and the surrounding region, including Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and Oakland in Tennessee plus several North Mississippi communities. The company emphasizes stick-built custom fences assembled on site rather than pre-fabricated panels, and it works in wood using pressure-treated pine, western red cedar, and Japanese cedar, along with vinyl, ornamental metal and iron, chain link, welded and woven wire, and composite. Services include custom fence design and fabrication, gate installation and operators, deck construction, perimeter and agricultural fencing, silt fencing, and custom railings, backed by a one-year workmanship warranty. The company is a member of the American Fence Association, the Fence Workers Association, and area chambers of commerce. Heritage does not publish a street address, so buyers should confirm its location and service details by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Contractor in Memphis

Q: Does a fence contractor in Memphis 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 Shelby 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 Memphis?

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 protects against striking gas, electric, water, or communication lines and shifts liability appropriately when the locate is performed 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 Memphis?

Fence height is governed by City of Memphis and Shelby County zoning ordinances rather than by state law, and limits typically differ between front and back yards, with added visibility setbacks on corner lots. Many subdivisions also have 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 Memphis?

Fence materials are subject to Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus Shelby County’s local option tax, for a combined rate of 9.75%. 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: Which fence material holds up best in the Memphis climate?

Memphis heat and humidity affect each material differently. Vinyl and aluminum need little maintenance and resist moisture well, while wood offers privacy at a lower initial cost but benefits from periodic staining and sealing to limit warping and rot. Chain link is durable and economical for large or commercial areas. A local contractor can recommend a material and post-setting approach suited to the area’s clay soil and your specific use.