How Tennessee compares
Tennessee is part of the East South Central U.S. Census division, which has the 5th-highest renovation resale returns of the 9 divisions in Roots' valuation model. In practice that means a metal roof replacement that returns ~48% of its cost nationally typically returns ~48% for a Tennessee home.
The same regional adjustment applies across the division (Tennessee plus AL, KY, MS). Nationwide, the spread for this project runs from ~39% in the West North Central division to ~56% in the Pacific division. See the national breakdown for every region.
The East South Central market
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi combine affordable housing with a handful of fast-growing metros like Nashville and Huntsville, and renovation returns here track close to the national average. Outside the boom metros, buyers are value-driven and reward condition over luxury.
Severe-weather seasons, from tornadoes to summer storms, keep roof condition on buyers' checklists across this region.
How other projects return in Tennessee
| Project | Typical return in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Metal roof replacement (this page) | ~48% |
| Garage door replacement | ~192% |
| Steel entry door | ~186% |
| Stone masonry veneer | ~152% |
| Hardwood floor refinishing | ~146% |
Return figures are typical resale-return estimates from Roots' home valuation model. Actual results vary by market, home, and workmanship, and shouldn't be relied on for lending, insurance, or tax decisions.
Sources: national baseline for this project calibrated against the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda); regional adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.
Protect the value you add
Whatever the project returns on paper, condition decides what you actually get: in Roots' model the value of completed work fades as it ages, and a documented maintenance record helps a home sell closer to asking. If you're planning around resale value, start with upkeep. The free maintenance checklist generator builds a seasonal schedule for Tennessee homes in about a minute.