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Is an asphalt roof replacement worth it in Washington?

Quick answer: It can be. In Washington, an asphalt roof replacement typically returns about 67% of its cost at resale, above the ~57% national average. You likely won't recoup the full cost, but Washington is one of the stronger markets for it.

How Washington compares

Washington is part of the Pacific U.S. Census division, which has the highest renovation resale returns of the 9 divisions in Roots' valuation model. In practice that means an asphalt roof replacement that returns ~57% of its cost nationally typically returns ~67% for a Washington home.

The same regional adjustment applies across the division (Washington plus AK, CA, HI, OR). Nationwide, the spread for this project runs from ~47% in the West North Central division to ~67% in the Pacific division. See the national breakdown for every region.

The Pacific market

The Pacific division carries the highest home prices and the strongest renovation returns in the country. When land and permits are scarce, improvements to an existing home capture more value. California's ADU-friendly legislation has also made added units a mainstream investment rather than a niche one.

From coastal moisture to wildfire zones, exterior condition carries region-specific weight, and a sound roof is the baseline.

How other projects return in Washington

ProjectTypical return in Washington
Asphalt roof replacement (this page)~67%
Wood deck addition~97%
Bathroom remodel~86%
Basement remodel~83%
Window replacement~79%

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 Washington homes in about a minute.

The bottom line

“According to Roots' home valuation model, Washington's Pacific region has the highest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. Census divisions. An asphalt roof replacement there typically recoups about 67% of its cost, within a nationwide range of ~47% to ~67%.” Roots home valuation model (regionally adjusted resale-return estimates)
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Frequently asked questions

Is an asphalt roof replacement worth it in Washington?
It can be. In Washington, an asphalt roof replacement typically returns about 67% of its cost at resale, above the ~57% national average. You likely won’t recoup the full cost, but Washington is one of the stronger markets for it.
How does Washington compare with the national average for an asphalt roof replacement?
Homeowners in Washington typically recoup about 67% of the project’s cost at resale, versus ~57% nationally. Washington is part of the Pacific Census division, which has the highest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.
What most affects the actual return in Washington?
Recency and condition. In Roots’ model, work under 2 years old counts fully toward resale value, then depreciates toward ~20% after 10 years. A home with a documented maintenance record also typically sells closer to asking. Market conditions in the Pacific division set the regional baseline.
Where do these numbers come from?
Roots calibrates the national baseline for an asphalt roof replacement against the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report (Zonda), then applies a Pacific-division adjustment derived from division-level averages in the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, plus the model’s own age and condition factors. Figures are modeled estimates, not appraisals.
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