⬇️ Prefer to listen instead? ⬇️
- 📈 Homes with refinished hardwood floors get back up to 100% of their cost when sold (NAR, 2022).
- 🛠️ New solid hardwood floors usually give a 70–80% return on investment. This depends on the local market.
- 🏠 80% of buyers like hardwood floors. This often helps homes sell faster.
- ✅ Fixing up existing hardwood is often cheaper and makes a bigger difference than putting in new floors.
- 💸 Cutting your real estate commission can greatly increase your net profit from floor updates.
If you’re selling your home, flooring is not just about how it looks. It is a smart choice that can really change how much money you make. Hardwood floors are among the most wanted features for buyers. And data shows they can make your home worth more, adding real dollar value to your home’s final sale price. But how much value do they truly add? Is putting in hardwood floors the smartest use of your renovation budget? In this guide, we will look at if hardwood floors make your home worth more. We will also talk about hardwood flooring ROI. And we will help you pick if you should fix, change, or skip the update altogether.
The Short Answer: Yes, But Hardwood Flooring ROI Changes
Hardwood flooring makes a home look warm, unique, and always stylish. These are things buyers really like when they see a home. But let’s get to the point: Does putting in hardwood floors really make home value go up?
The answer is a clear yes. But there are some details to think about. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says homeowners who fix up their hardwood floors can get back up to 100% of their money when they sell. And new solid hardwood floors get back about 70% to 80% of their cost. These are good returns compared to many other home updates.
These numbers show that hardwood is one of the smartest financial home updates. This is especially true if you already have hardwood that just needs a good cleaning.
📊 Estimated ROI by Flooring Type
| Flooring Type | Cost per Sq Ft | Avg. ROI | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Up Hardwood | $3–$5 | 100% | Lower cost, looks much better | Needs an existing wood floor |
| New Solid Hardwood | $6–$14 | 70–80% | Looks high-end, lasts a long time | Costs a lot to start |
| Engineered Hardwood | $4–$9 | ~70% | Handles water, costs less | Does not last as long |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) | $2–$5 | 50–70% | Strong, waterproof | Some people think it’s not as good |
| Laminate | $1.50–$3 | 40–60% | Cheaper, quick to put in | Doesn’t look as real |
Fixing existing hardwood is one of the best ways to add value without spending much.
What Buyers Want in 2025 Floors
New and popular updates can get people interested. But hardwood always looks good. This is true especially when it matches what today’s home buyers want most.
The NAR’s 2022 Remodeling Impact Report found that 80% of buyers like hardwood floors. This is not just about what people like. Homes with wood floors often sell faster and closer to the asking price. This is because buyers see good quality and that the home is ready to move into.
Main Flooring Trends Buyers Like in 2025:
- Wide Planks: These are usually 5+ inches wide. Wide planks make rooms look modern and clean. They also make rooms feel larger.
- Matte & Satin Finishes: These finishes make less glare. They show off the wood grain. And they hide dirt and scratches better than shiny floors.
- Natural Tones: Lighter colors like blonde, gray, and neutral oak are very popular. They work well with many decorating styles.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Wood that is FSC-certified or reclaimed attracts buyers who care about the environment.
- Low-VOC Products: Floors with low volatile organic compound (VOC) levels make indoor air better. This is becoming more important for home buyers.
When you match your floors to what the main buyers in your area want, your home looks better. And it can sell for more money.
Comparing the Costs: Put In vs. Fix Up
If you already have hardwood floors, changing them might not be needed. It might even be a bad idea. Fixing them up is much cheaper. And it often gives a better return on your money because it costs less to start.
Fixing Up Hardwood Floors:
- Cost: $3–$5 per sq. ft.
- Typical ROI: Up to 100%
- Best For: Floors with small damage like scratches, faded spots, or old stain colors.
Fixing up floors can make a room look new again with little cost and less time. This usually finishes within 2–5 days.
Putting In New Hardwood Floors:
- Cost: $6–$14 per sq. ft. (labor + materials)
- Typical ROI: 70–80%
- Best For: Homes without hardwood floors, especially in high-end areas or for big changes.
If your home is in a high-end market where buyers want solid hardwood everywhere, this spending can show good quality. But make sure the rest of your home is just as good. This will help you get the most return from your money.
Regional Factors: How Much You Get Back Always Depends on the Market
Real estate changes a lot from one small area to another. And how much you get back from putting in hardwood floors can change a lot based on where you live. Where you live affects what buyers expect. It also affects how much they will pay. And it affects how much more valuable hardwood is compared to other floors.
High-ROI Markets:
- Northeast Metro Areas: Buyers in Boston, New York, and urban New Jersey often want hardwood everywhere.
- San Francisco Bay Area: High-end buyers expect good quality from the floor up.
- Southeast Suburbs: In growing middle-tier neighborhoods, hardwood on the first floor can be a big plus.
Markets Where ROI May Be Lower:
- Areas with many rentals: Landlords often like LVP or tile. These last longer and are easy to change.
- Entry-Level Markets: Buyers care more about price than fancy materials.
- Wet Areas (e.g. Florida, Gulf States): Engineered wood or LVP might be better to handle wetness.
📍 Action Tip: Look at recent home listings in your ZIP code. Or use an ROI flooring calculator that uses local demand in its math. Better yet, ask a local listing agent who knows the area.
Hardwood vs. LVP vs. Laminate: What’s Best?
Trying to decide between cost and how your home looks from the outside? You are not alone. Sellers often ask if cheaper choices like Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or laminate floors will work when money is tight.
Hardwood Flooring:
- Pros: Known for high quality for a long time. It is strong, always looks good, and adds real value.
- Cons: Costs more to put in. It can get damaged by water and scratches if not taken care of.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP):
- Pros: Handles water. It is easy to install yourself. And designs now look more and more real.
- Cons: It looks good. But some buyers still think it looks “cheaper” or not as real.
Laminate:
- Pros: Very cheap and quick to put in. It is often used for house flippers or rental homes.
- Cons: Usually not as strong. It can chip and swell more easily from water.
👉 Bottom Line: Putting in hardwood floors is still the best choice for making your home look its best and getting the highest price. But this is not true if buyers in your area care more about how long things last or how cheap they are, instead of how they look.
Other Flooring Choices with Good ROI
Hardwood is the most popular choice. But other special flooring materials can also do well. This depends on your home’s style and where it is.
Engineered Hardwood:
- Made with a thin layer of real wood on top of plywood or HDF.
- More steady in wet places than solid wood.
- Costs about average. And people see it as average quality.
Bamboo:
- It is actually a grass. Bamboo is good for the earth and grows fast.
- Looks like hardwood. But it is softer if you press on it.
- Attracts buyers who care about the earth and those who like modern looks.
Polished Concrete:
- A choice for modern homes and factory-style apartments. This is true especially in city markets.
- Strong, easy to care for. And it saves energy when used with heat in the floor.
- More people who like simple designs are choosing it. But it might not be liked by buyers who prefer old-style homes.
These choices will not do better than hardwood everywhere. But they can be the best in special market parts.
Flooring vs. Other Updates Before Selling
Is updating your flooring really the best thing to do before putting your home up for sale? Compared to other improvements, it often is.
| Project | Avg. Cost | Est. ROI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix Up Hardwood | $2,600 | 100% | Costs little and makes a big visual change |
| Small Kitchen Update | $12,000 | ~71% | Always helps sell, but costs a lot to start |
| New Roof | $10,000 | 60–70% | Very important for home inspections |
| Full Bathroom Update | $20,000+ | ~57% | Works better for expensive homes |
(Sources: NAR, Remodeling Magazine)
Fixing up flooring gives a real return on your money for little cost. This makes it one of the best updates before selling for most homes.
When Not to Update to Hardwood
Hardwood is usually a good investment. But it is not always the best choice. Here is when you should think about other options:
- Starter Homes or Rentals: If your main buyer cares more about low cost than fancy looks, LVP can look similar but costs less to start.
- Sales that need to happen fast: Floor projects can make listing take longer. Just fixing the floors can mean emptying the home for 3–5 days.
- Flooring That’s Already “Good Enough”: If it is clean, a plain color, and works well, buyers might not see the new floor. But they will see the higher price.
Make every update matter. It should fix a real problem for buyers.
How to Get the Most Back with Smarter Selling
Do not let the money you spent on floors disappear into fees. Making your home worth more is important. But the money you actually keep is what ends up in your pocket.
Let’s say:
- You spend $4,000 fixing up hardwood floors.
- Your home sells for $8,000 more.
- But then you pay $18,000 in agent fees on a $600,000 home sale.
You just doubled your floor spending. But you lost three times that in fees you did not need to pay.
By listing with a 1% full-service agent:
- You keep an extra $12,000+ in your pocket.
- The money you saved on commission basically pays for your floor update.
- You increase both your total and take-home profit.
Smart updates need a smart selling plan.
Talk to Smart Agents — Not Just Contractors
Contractors can tell you how much hardwood flooring costs to put in. But they cannot tell you if it is worth it in your market.
By working with a real estate agent who knows what buyers do, what homes are selling for, and how much return you will get for your money in your area, you get:
- Expert advice on if you should fix or change your flooring.
- Suggestions for materials based on what the market thinks.
- Help matching finishes with what buyers want now.
A smart real estate advisor sees your home as money you put in. And they help you treat it that way.
Final Say: Do Hardwood Floors Make Home Value Go Up?
✅ Yes — hardwood floors make home value go up. And they often get back most or all of their cost when they match what the market expects.
📈 Fixing up floors is very profitable. You can often get a 100% return with little work.
💡 Want to know the real secret to getting your money back? Combine smart home updates like putting in hardwood floors with plans that save on commission. This will make sure you keep the most money.
Want to sell smarter and keep more profit?
Get full-service agent help, top marketing, and pricing advice. All for a 1% commission.
💬 Talk to an expert now — Your free, no-pressure chat is just one click away.
Citations
National Association of Realtors. (2022). Remodeling Impact Report: Joy Scores, Costs & Perceived Value for Home Projects.
Remodeling Magazine. (2023). Cost vs. Value Report.
HomeAdvisor. (2023). How Much Does Hardwood Floor Installation Cost?
Commission savings availability varies by state. 1% listing fee subject to $3,000 minimum. Buyer rebates subject to lender and law restrictions.
