Flat Roof Replacement cost: Franklin vs Memphis (2026)
The two metros aren't quite in sync on flat roof replacement: Franklin sits 1% above Memphis, or roughly $9,950 versus $9,850 — about $100 apart.
Franklin TN
Typically around $9,950
Memphis TN
Lower costTypically around $9,850
Franklin vs Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $9,950 | $9,850 |
| Estimated range | $5,100–$14,750 | $5,050–$14,650 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.97 | ×0.96 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | $275 | $250 |
| Labor share | $5,950 | $5,900 |
| Materials/equipment | $4,000 | $3,950 |
Flat roof replacement numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
How much should this gap actually matter?
At 1%, this gap is small enough that it's usually swallowed by normal quote-to-quote variation for flat roof replacement — focus on the contractor, not the city.
Flat roof replacement by type: Franklin vs Memphis
Below, each flat roof replacement option is priced independently for both cities, with identical local labor, climate and permit logic applied — so the comparison holds up.
| Type | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| EPDM (rubber) | $5,100–$11,850 | $5,050–$11,750 |
| TPO | $6,050–$12,850 | $6,000–$12,700 |
| PVC | $7,050–$14,750 | $6,950–$14,650 |
| Modified bitumen | $5,100–$10,900 | $5,050–$10,800 |
| Built-up roofing (BUR) | $6,550–$13,800 | $6,500–$13,650 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for flat roof replacement, not quotes from a contractor.
Flat roof replacement by roof size: Franklin vs Memphis
Flat and low-slope roofs are priced per square (100 sq ft) and run about $3–$11 per sq ft installed, depending on the membrane. The roof area is close to the footprint since there's little pitch.
| Size | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (10 squares) | $4,150–$8,500 | $4,100–$8,400 |
| 1,500 sq ft (15 squares) | $5,100–$10,900 | $5,050–$10,800 |
| 2,000 sq ft (20 squares) | $6,050–$13,800 | $6,000–$13,650 |
| 2,500 sq ft (25 squares) | $7,500–$15,750 | $7,450–$15,600 |
| 3,000+ sq ft (30 squares) | $8,950–$18,650 | $8,900–$18,450 |
These are 2026 planning figures for flat roof replacement, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
What roofing pros earn in each metro
Roughly 60% of what you pay for flat roof replacement is labor, which is why local wages explain most of the price gap. The numbers below are actual metro wages for skilled installers, sourced from BLS OEWS — not guesses.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin metro · about 6% below the US average installer wage.
Memphis metro · about 7% below the US average installer wage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).
Cheapest time for flat roof replacement in either city
Shingles need warm, dry weather to seal, and demand peaks after summer storms. Booking in the slow late-fall/winter window for a spring install often earns you off-season pricing.
Where does a smart roofing budget go in 2026?
A roofing quote can hide a lot behind a single number — whether it's a true tear-off, the shingle grade, and what's under the surface. Here's how our editors sort through it.
The do-it-right case
Pay for a full tear-off and quality underlayment, flashing and ventilation. An overlay saves money today but traps heat, voids some warranties and costs more at the next replacement.
The value case
For a typical home, the architectural shingle is the default that makes sense. It outlasts 3-tab by a wide margin at a modest premium, and it spares you the cost of metal or tile that most roofs never need to justify.
The risk case
Nail down the per-sheet decking rate in writing before anyone climbs up. Soft or rotted plywood is the most common mid-job discovery, and without an agreed number the crew names the price after they've already found the damage — turning a cheap quote into an open tab.
Judge a roofing bid on its scope, not its bottom line — a genuine tear-off, a documented per-sheet deck rate, and a mid-grade architectural shingle. Those three close the gaps that let a low storm-season number balloon over the years.
Franklin vs Memphis
Is flat roof replacement cheaper in Franklin or Memphis?
Memphis wins on price: flat roof replacement runs about $9,850 there versus $9,950 in Franklin, a gap of roughly $100 (1%) as of 2026.
Why does flat roof replacement cost more in Franklin than Memphis?
The main driver is local labor rates: Franklin's labor index is 0.97 versus 0.96 in Memphis. Climate zone (mixed vs mixed) and permit fees also shift the total.
How much is flat roof replacement in Franklin, TN?
flat roof replacement in Franklin runs $5,100–$14,750 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $9,950.
Do roofing pros really charge more in one city?
It's not a myth — BLS data puts installer wages at about $29.4/hr in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin area and $29/hr in Memphis. Given labor is around 60% of a flat roof replacement job's cost, that gap explains most of the price spread.
When is the cheapest time to buy flat roof replacement — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Late spring to early fall (dry, 45–85°F) is the cheapest window in both Franklin and Memphis, saving roughly 5–10%. Avoid mid-winter and the post-storm rush in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on flat roof replacement cost?
Not really — the $100 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Franklin can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.
Compare flat roof replacement in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik