Metal roof cost in Chattanooga, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $8,900 – $29,500
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.40 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #208
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a metal roof in the Chattanooga area: $8,900 to $29,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% lower than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $21.89 an hour in the Chattanooga area, 18% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$15,100 to $23,400
About $7.45 to $11.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,950 | $11,300 |
| Labor | $8,950 | $11,700 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $15,100 | $23,400 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $8,650 | $15,400 | 45% |
| Labor | $6,850 | $10,300 | $13,700 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 2% |
| Total | $8,900 | $19,200 | $29,500 | 100% |
Why Chattanooga prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on roofers, who do 70% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chattanooga is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chattanooga is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $9,000 nationally becomes $8,650 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.5: $140 to $460.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Chattanooga. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Chattanooga
Jobs that often go together with metal roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chattanooga wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (−4%) and roof replacement lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,100 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −6% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $970 – $3,850 | −4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,700 – $23,100 | −8% |
Who does the work: Chattanooga trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 Chattanooga the blend is 0.86.
Roofers (47-2181), 70% of the weighting: a median of $21.89 an hour, 18% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $22.14 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 5.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Chattanooga metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $28.45 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.74 and $35.40 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 10%) the local median is $20.80 an hour, which is 8% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.48 an hour. BLS counts 1,800 of them working in the area, 67.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $80 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,100. That is a swing of roughly 5.6% to 0.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chattanooga has 268,750 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 98th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $18.45 | $21.89 | $22.14 | $26.65 | 0.82 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $21.74 | $28.45 | $35.40 | $29.71 | 0.96 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $17.64 | $20.80 | $23.48 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Chattanooga
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chattanooga. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to large (2,800 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$8,900 to $17,200
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,100 to $23,400
Standing seam steel
Premium
$21,300 to $29,500
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,400 – $10,400 | $9,150 – $14,200 | $12,900 – $17,900 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $8,900 – $17,200 | $15,100 – $23,400 | $21,300 – $29,500 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $12,400 – $23,900 | $21,100 – $32,600 | $29,700 – $41,200 |
Why two Chattanooga quotes can differ
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Other metals
Tin runs $600-$1,800 per roofing square (100 sq ft) installed and aluminum $700-$1,700 per square (HomeGuide).
Chattanooga against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 2,000 sq ft of roof range from $18,900 to $19,900 across Chattanooga and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $8,900 – $29,500 | $19,200 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $8,850 – $29,500 | $19,200 | level |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | −2% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | +1% |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $8,700 – $29,200 | $18,900 | −2% |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $9,350 – $30,400 | $19,900 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chattanooga ranks #208 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chattanooga is 0% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $9,350 – $30,400 | $19,900 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $9,100 – $29,900 | $19,500 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $9,000 – $29,700 | $19,300 | +1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $8,350 – $28,500 | $18,400 | −4% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $8,550 – $28,800 | $18,700 | −3% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $9,050 – $29,900 | $19,500 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $11,400 – $36,200 | $23,800 | +24% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $8,650 – $29,100 | $18,900 | −2% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $8,500 – $28,800 | $18,600 | −3% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $8,700 – $29,100 | $18,900 | −2% |
The best months for metal roof in Chattanooga
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Chattanooga Lovell Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Chattanooga are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chattanooga gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 58 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 | 51 | 32 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 70 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 35 | 5.3 | Workable |
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Metal roof in Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Chattanooga?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $8,900 to $29,500 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,100 to $23,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for metal roof in Chattanooga?
About $4.40 to $14.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $140 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $19,200, which is 0% less than Chattanooga ($19,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $10,300 out of $19,200. Materials are 45% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Chattanooga?
$8,900 to $29,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Chattanooga?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $460 for fees in the Chattanooga area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 0% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($19,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $21.89 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.45 to $22.14.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Chattanooga?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $8,900 to $17,200 and premium work $21,300 to $29,500. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+When is the best time to install a metal roof in Chattanooga?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. May and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Metal roof near Chattanooga
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 Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $4-$8/sq ft labor range for metal roofs.