Wood fence cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $2,800 – $7,150
- Per linear ft
- $18.50 – $46.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #186
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Knoxville area: $2,800 to $7,150 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 7% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.23 an hour in the Knoxville area, 17% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$4,100 to $5,850
About $27 to $38 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,300 | $3,450 |
| Labor | $1,750 | $2,250 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $4,100 | $5,850 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 58% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,000 | $2,650 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $2,800 | $5,000 | $7,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Knoxville number
Labor is 40% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (60%), construction laborers (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Knoxville the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Knoxville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.6: $35 to $140.
Is Knoxville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Asheville is the priciest of the group at $5,050. Dalton is the cheapest at $4,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $2,800 – $7,150 | $5,000 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $2,850 – $7,250 | $5,050 | +1% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $2,550 – $6,650 | $4,600 | −8% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −1% |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $2,700 – $6,950 | $4,850 | −3% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −1% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $2,800 – $7,150 | $4,950 | level |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | +7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Knoxville ranks #186 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Knoxville is 0% above the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $2,900 – $7,300 | $5,100 | +2% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | level |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $2,800 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,750 – $7,050 | $4,900 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,850 | −2% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $2,800 – $7,100 | $4,950 | −1% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 | −2% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,700 – $6,850 | $4,750 | −4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | +9% |
Related projects, priced for Knoxville
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Knoxville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−5%) and wood deck lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,650 | −5% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,450 – $5,750 | −6% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $13,900 | −8% |
Optional extras in Knoxville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.93 for Knoxville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.89) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $140 – $740 |
Who does the work: Knoxville trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Knoxville the blend is 0.89.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $24.23 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.11 and $28.56 an hour. About 1,280 work in the metro. That is 30.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.18 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $25.87 an hour. BLS counts 3,640 of them working in the area, 85.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $100. That is a swing of roughly 2.0% to 4.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Knoxville has 424,600 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 59th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $22.11 | $24.23 | $28.56 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.16 | $22.18 | $25.87 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
The best months for wood fence in Knoxville
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Knoxville Mcghee Tyson Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Knoxville: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Knoxville gets about 52 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in July). The station averages about 37 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 30 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 72 | 49 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 38 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 51 | 33 | 5.0 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Knoxville bid
Slope and soil
Hills, rock, and tree roots slow post digging.
Composite
A composite wood-look privacy fence is $55-$85 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide).
Wood species
A 6-ft privacy fence is $25-$50 per linear foot installed; an 8-ft one goes up to $75. Tropical hardwood privacy fences run $35-$55 (HomeGuide).
Knoxville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Knoxville. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$2,800 to $4,550
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,100 to $5,850
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$5,400 to $7,150
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,900 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,950 | $3,650 – $4,800 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $2,800 – $4,550 | $4,100 – $5,850 | $5,400 – $7,150 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $3,750 – $6,050 | $5,450 – $7,750 | $7,200 – $9,500 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $5,600 – $9,000 | $8,150 – $11,600 | $10,700 – $14,100 |
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Multi-page report for Knoxville, TN: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Wood fence in Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Knoxville?
For 150 linear ft, expect $2,800 to $7,150 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,100 to $5,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Knoxville?
About $18.50 to $46.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,050, which is 1% more than Knoxville ($5,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $2,000 out of $5,000. Materials are 58% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Knoxville?
$3,750 to $9,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Knoxville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Knoxville area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 0% above the Tennessee statewide estimate ($4,950 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Knoxville?
The BLS median is $24.23 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.11 to $28.56.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Knoxville?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $4,550 and premium work $5,400 to $7,150. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+Is there a bad season to install a wood fence in Knoxville?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add one gate" add in Knoxville?
$140 to $740, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Knoxville
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020