Short answer
A Memphis homeowner can describe a repair or send photos to Runhome and get an estimate from real contractor pricing in minutes. Runhome then calls local contractors, gathers quotes and schedules the visit. About 35% of Memphis homes predate 1960, so older plumbing, panels and floor framing come up often.
Memphis homes at a glance
- Median year built
- 1970
- Built before 1960
- 35%
- Built since 2000
- 12%
- Owner-occupied
- 45%
- Median home value
- $169,000
- Main heat
- Electric, 56%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates
What Memphis’s housing means for repairs
Memphis has an older housing stock than most Sun Belt cities. The median home was built in 1970, about 35% predate 1960, and only about 12% were built since 2000. About 60% of homes are single-family detached, many of them brick ranch houses and older bungalows in Midtown, Orange Mound and Whitehaven.
Homes of this age often have galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains, ungrounded outlets and panels that were never sized for central AC. Many sit on crawlspaces where moisture and termites damage joists. With a median home value of about $169,000, owners often weigh each repair against the value of the house, and about 45% of homes are owner occupied.
Weather that wears on Memphis homes
Memphis is hot and very humid in summer, which keeps AC systems running and crawlspaces damp. Winter ice storms bring down tree limbs and power lines, and freezes burst pipes in older homes. The city sits within the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Subterranean termites are widespread, and the silty loess and clay soils shift with wet and dry seasons. Severe spring storms and occasional tornadoes damage roofs, siding and gutters across Shelby County. Mississippi River bottomland near the city stays wet, and heavy rain can overwhelm older drainage and push water into crawlspaces.
Common repairs in Memphis
AC not cooling
Long, humid Memphis summers wear out older compressors and ductwork in hot attics and crawlspaces.
Uneven or sagging floors
Moisture and termites weaken floor joists in Memphis crawlspace homes.
Old electrical panels
Many Memphis homes from the 1950s and 1960s still have undersized or outdated panels.
Drain and sewer line backups
Cast iron and clay drain lines in older Memphis homes crack and fill with tree roots.
Running toilets
Worn flappers and fill valves in older bathrooms waste water every day.
What these repairs cost
The middle half of Runhome repair estimates nationwide for each kind of job. Your price depends on the scope of the work.
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Heating or cooling repair | $310 to $580 |
| Subfloor or floor framing repair | $600 to $1,400 |
| Electrical panel or breaker work | $260 to $410 |
| Drain or waste line repair | $310 to $670 |
Fix guides for Memphis homeowners
Toilet won't stop running or refills itself every few minutes
Older Memphis bathrooms often have worn toilet parts that run constantly and raise the water bill.
Half the house has no power and no breaker is tripped
Older panels and storm-damaged service drops in Memphis can cut power to half the house.
Mice keep getting in through holes and gaps in the walls
Gaps around old brick and crawlspace vents let mice into Memphis homes in cold months.
Drain pipe drips at a joint only when water runs through it
Aging cast iron and older drain joints in Memphis homes often drip only when water runs.
Seasonal checklist
- Spring
- Watch for swarming termites around windows and baseboards and get an inspection if you see them.
- Summer
- Change AC filters monthly and keep the outdoor unit clear of weeds and debris.
- Winter
- Trim limbs that hang over the roof or the service drop before ice storm season.
Common questions
- Is it worth fixing an old Memphis house or should I sell as is?
That depends on the repair and what the house is worth after it. Getting the repair priced first gives you a real number to weigh. Runhome can estimate the work and collect quotes from local contractors so you can decide.
- How do I know if my Memphis home has termite damage?
Look for mud tubes on foundation walls, hollow-sounding wood and soft floors near the crawlspace. Swarms in spring are another sign. A pest inspection finds active termites, and a carpenter repairs damaged framing afterward.
- Does my older Memphis home need a new electrical panel?
If your panel is original to a 1950s or 1960s house, trips often or has no room for new circuits, an upgrade may be needed. Adding central AC or modern appliances often makes the need clear. An electrician can check the panel and service size.
Neighborhoods served
- Midtown
- Cooper-Young
- Harbor Town
- Whitehaven
- Orange Mound
- Raleigh
- Hickory Hill
- Chickasaw Gardens