How does Montana compare with the national average for new wood flooring?

Homeowners in Montana typically recoup about 113% of the project's cost at resale, versus ~118% nationally. Montana is part of the Mountain Census division, which has the 4th-lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.

What most affects the actual return in Montana?

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 Mountain division set the regional baseline.

Where do these numbers come from?

Roots calibrates the national baseline for new wood flooring against the National Association of Realtors' 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, then applies a Mountain-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.

Is new wood flooring worth it in Montana?

Quick answer: Yes. In Montana, new wood flooring typically returns about 113% of its cost at resale, one of the few projects that more than pays for itself. That's below the ~118% national average.

How Montana compares

Montana is part of the Mountain U.S. Census division, which has the 4th-lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 divisions in Roots' valuation model. In practice that means new wood flooring that returns ~118% of its cost nationally typically returns ~113% for a Montana home.

The same regional adjustment applies across the division (Montana plus AZ, CO, ID, NM, NV, UT, WY). Nationwide, the spread for this project runs from ~97% in the West North Central division to ~138% in the Pacific division. See the national breakdown for every region.

The Mountain market

The Mountain West has drawn steady in-migration for years, and its housing stock skews newer than the national average. The dry, high-sun climate is gentler on some parts of a home and harder on others: sun exposure ages roofs and finishes, while low humidity spares basements and framing.

With so much recent construction, interiors that match new-build standards hold their value best here.

How other projects return in Montana

Project	Typical return in Montana
New wood flooring (this page)	~113%
Garage door replacement	~186%
Steel entry door	~181%
Stone masonry veneer	~147%
Hardwood floor refinishing	~141%

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 National Association of Realtors' 2022 Remodeling Impact Report; 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 Montana homes in about a minute.

The bottom line

“According to Roots' home valuation model, Montana's Mountain region has the 4th-lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. Census divisions. New wood flooring there typically recoups about 113% of its cost, within a nationwide range of ~97% to ~138%.” — Roots home valuation model (regionally adjusted resale-return estimates)

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Frequently asked questions

Is new wood flooring worth it in Montana?: Yes. In Montana, new wood flooring typically returns about 113% of its cost at resale, one of the few projects that more than pays for itself. That’s below the ~118% national average.
How does Montana compare with the national average for new wood flooring?: Homeowners in Montana typically recoup about 113% of the project’s cost at resale, versus ~118% nationally. Montana is part of the Mountain Census division, which has the 4th-lowest renovation resale returns of the 9 U.S. divisions.
What most affects the actual return in Montana?: 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 Mountain division set the regional baseline.
Where do these numbers come from?: Roots calibrates the national baseline for new wood flooring against the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, then applies a Mountain-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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