Fencing a new yard, closing in pasture for cattle or horses, or putting a neat fence along the road out front? Tell us what the fence is for and roughly how far it runs.
Fence types
- Chain link: galvanized or black-coated, a durable pick for dogs and property lines.
- Vinyl: privacy, picket and ranch-rail styles that never need paint.
- Wood: privacy and picket fences in pressure-treated pine.
- Field and farm fence: woven or welded wire for goats, horses, cattle and gardens.
- Gates: walk gates and wide drive gates for trucks, mowers and trailers.
Clay, rock and rolling ground
McMinn County lots roll more than they look, red clay holds water and limestone rock turns up in post holes. Clearing the line, setting posts deep and planning around rock keep a new fence standing straight.
Choosing a fence material in Athens
- Wood (usually pressure-treated pine): typically the least expensive way to get a solid privacy or picket fence. It needs stain or sealer every few years in the East Tennessee heat and humidity, and boards at ground level are the first to rot.
- Chain link: usually the lowest cost per foot overall, and a practical pick for dogs, property lines and garden runs. Black or green vinyl-coated chain link blends in better than bare galvanized.
- Vinyl: costs more up front than wood but never needs paint or stain, just an occasional wash. Panels come in fixed lengths, so slopes need stepped sections or a rackable style.
- Aluminum: the look of wrought iron without the rust. Common around pools and front yards; it's open, so it isn't a privacy fence. Many styles rack to follow a slope.
- Field and farm fence: woven or welded wire on wood or steel posts for livestock, gardens and acreage. See farm and field fence.
Before the first post goes in
- Property line. Find the corner pins from your survey. Fences are usually set a little inside the line so the whole fence is on your side.
- Permits and HOA rules. Who to ask in Athens: City of Athens Building Inspection (in the city) or McMinn County (outside it). The Athens fence permit guide lists what the local offices say. HOA rules are often stricter than the town's on height, style and color.
- Buried utilities. Tennessee law requires you to contact Tennessee 811 at least three working days before starting, and fence post holes count as digging (Tennessee 811). The request is free. Private lines, like power to a shop or a well line, aren't marked, so point them out.
- Clearing. Brush, roots and low limbs along the line have to be cleared before the line can be measured and dug.
What affects the price of a fence
Two quotes for what sounds like the same fence in McMinn County can be far apart. These are the things that move the number:
- Total length and height
- Material and style (for example, board-on-board privacy versus a simple picket)
- How many gates, and how wide; a drive gate costs more than a walk gate
- Slope, rock or roots that slow down digging
- Clearing brush or tearing out and hauling away an old fence
- How easy it is to get materials and equipment to the line
Ask for an itemized, written quote so you can compare installers line by line.
Questions to ask any fence installer
- Can you show proof of insurance, and any contractor license Tennessee or the locality requires for this job?
- Is the quote itemized: posts, post depth and concrete, gates and hardware, old fence removal and cleanup?
- Who requests the Tennessee 811 locate and pulls any permit?
- How will you handle the slope, rock or wet spots on this line?
- What does the warranty cover, for how long, and is it in writing?
- How much is the deposit, and when is the rest due?
Fence installation questions in Athens
Do I need a permit for a fence in Athens, TN?
It depends on the height, the type of fence and whether the property is inside city limits or in the county. Who to ask: City of Athens Building Inspection (in the city) or McMinn County (outside it). The Athens fence permit guide lists what the local offices say.
How far ahead do I need to call 811?
Tennessee law requires you to contact Tennessee 811 at least three working days before starting, and fence post holes count as digging (Tennessee 811). The request is free.
Can a fence go right on the property line?
It's usually set a little inside the line so the whole fence is on your property. Find the survey pins first and check the setback rules (who to ask: City of Athens Building Inspection (in the city) or McMinn County (outside it)). A new survey settles a close call with a neighbor.
How long does fence installation take?
Most residential fences take one to a few days once the materials are on site and the line is marked. Long runs, slopes, rock and permits add time. The installer should put a timeline in the quote.