How Much Does House Siding Cost?

Replacing the siding on your home is an excellent way to update its look and protect it from the elements. Budgeting for this project can be a bit tricky, though, because house siding costs vary widely based on your siding needs. In general, the average cost of siding a house is $12,690 for material and labor.

In this article, I’ll take a closer look at those costs and what variables affect them based on my experience and the RSMeans database. Plus, I’ll provide tips along the way to save you money and help you get the best deal possible.

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What Is the Cost of Siding Your House?

Siding your house costs between $5,075 and $20,300. This price range includes vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, stucco, and wood materials. Brick and stone are outliers and can cost up to $72,000.

The base price includes the cost of materials and labor. Certain cost factors can increase the total, including the removal of your existing siding and the need for permits and inspections.

How Do Siding Costs Differ by Material?

The house siding material type significantly impacts overall costs. Budget-friendly materials are vinyl, fiber cement, and aluminum siding. Stone and brick siding are premium materials with matching premium prices.

How Does House Size Affect Siding Pricing?

Square footage directly impacts siding costs, as prices vary depending on exactly how much siding you need. Siding replacement for a 2,000-square-foot home is about $12,690 on average. Updating a small 1,500-square-foot house may cost as little as $4,375. Siding prices can reach over $25,900 for 3,000 or more square foot homes.

What Other Factors Impact House Siding Cost Estimates?

Together, your home size and material choice play the biggest role in how much your siding will cost. Fitting a 1,500-square-foot home with vinyl siding is $5,625 on average. If your home is twice as big and you want the finest natural stone siding, the project price could exceed $92,000.

Several other factors can also impact your siding project, such as:

• Material quality
• Type of siding
• Home design
• Old siding removal
• Permits and inspections
• Property location
• Project timing
• Finishing touches

Material Quality

Every type of siding material comes in various quality levels. For example, you can get standard to premium vinyl for $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot. The premium products are thicker for better impact resistance, come in more colors, and have extra features like insulation backing for added energy efficiency.

Some materials have a much larger difference in price for each quality level. For instance, stone siding prices start at $24 per square foot and go all the way up to $50 per square foot for premium products.

Siding Style

The siding style you select impacts how your home will look and the overall cost of the project. Classic styles like clapboard and Dutch lap won’t cost you any extra, but they also don’t add much pizzazz to the home design.

If you want a truly unique look, expect to pay at least $4 more per square foot in material costs for styles like scallop, board and batten, or shingle siding. Labor costs could also increase by at least $2 per square foot, depending on how much extra time it takes to install.

You can save money by playing it smart here. For example, if you want the look of cedar wood grain, get lower-cost fiber cement shingles instead.

Home Design

Your home’s design could increase your project costs if it’s multiple stories or overly complex. A second story can increase siding costs by as much as 35%. The additional costs cover the extra time, materials, and equipment required.

The shape of the exterior walls can also increase installation time and expenses. Linear farmhouse designs are much easier to reside than Tudor Revival homes. The steep roof pitch, large gables, half-timbering, and decorative brickwork increase labor costs by up to 50% due to all the careful cutting and fitting of the siding materials.

Old Siding Removal

Sometimes, you can install your new siding over the existing materials. But it’s usually better to have it removed and start with a clean slate.

Removal and disposal of the old siding can add about $2,000 for basic materials like fiber cement and aluminum. Stone, brick, and stucco siding can cost more than twice that.

Permits and Inspections

You typically need to get a building permit for major renovations, like replacing the siding on your entire home. Every city has its own permit rules, with many areas requiring one if your project costs exceed a certain amount, like $5,000.

Permit costs depend on your project’s size, complexity, and value. The inspection fees are separate. You can expect to spend between $500 and $2,500 on a permit for whole-home residing. Each inspection costs around $100 to $500.

Property Location

Your property location could impact how much you spend on residing your home. Materials could cost more to transport to homes in remote areas. And labor costs are usually higher in metro areas with a high demand for renovation services.

You may also pay more than expected for siding if your home is in areas at risk of harsh weather and wildfires. Although it’ll cost more upfront, high-quality James Hardie fiber cement, brick, and stone materials have a better chance of withstanding the conditions, offering more value in the long run.

Read Also: Overview Of Veranda Trim And Azek

Project Timing

The time of the year you choose for your home residing project will impact its final price. Like other contractors, siding installers charge more during the busy season and offer discounts when work slows down.

For the best price, ask your preferred installer if you can book the job during their slowest months for a discount. You may have to wait longer to complete your project, but the savings could be worth it.

Don’t roll the dice if your existing siding is rotting away or otherwise compromised. Or you may have to pay more to repair damage to the underlying materials.

Finishing Touches

Siding installation estimates do not always include the price of finishing touches like paint and trim. If you’d like your installer to customize the look of your new siding, ask them to include the additional services in the bid.

The total cost of paint for your home’s exterior depends on its brand, type, and color, along with how much you’ll need for your home size. The national average for exterior paint jobs is about $3,000. Painting stone, stucco, or brick veneer with specialized coatings can cost double that.

Trim adds around $2,000, depending on the type and how much you need. Decorative PVC trim from high-end brands, like Veranda and Azek, is more than natural wood boards.

What are Some Signs That You Need to Install New Siding?

Replacing the siding allows you to update the appearance of your home and add immense curb appeal. But since it’s a costly project, you likely want to get every last dollar out of your old siding before replacing it.

If that’s the case, you can watch for the following signs you need to install new siding before moving forward with your remodeling plans.

• Rot and water damage on or under the siding
• Visible defects, including warping, splitting, and holes
• Signs of termites and other wood-damaging pests
• Mold and mildew underneath the siding materials
• Bubbling paint from moisture getting underneath
• Loose boards that are crooked or hanging
• Detached pieces that can’t be correctly refastened
• Crumbling stone, brick, or stucco materials
• Noticeable dents and creases on the surface
• Drafts inside the home and high energy bills

What Are the Benefits of Residing Your House?

Installing even the most affordable siding will put you back at least $5,000. For many people, the benefits can outweigh the costs, especially if the existing siding looks worn or damaged.

Overall, your investment can greatly improve how your home looks while providing financial returns that offset the costs. If you’re still on the fence, explore these benefits of residing your house to see if this project might pay off for you.

Improve Style

New siding instantly updates the look of your home and personalizes it to your style preferences. The many siding options come in many attractive siding styles and colors that enhance your home’s architectural design. You can revitalize its original styling or use the siding to create a unique home design.

Boost Curb Appeal

Replacing the siding on your home gives it a fresh, new look that instantly catches the eye and leaves passersby feeling wholly impressed. Even if you’re not looking to sell your home soon, it feels good to have a home that wows all who see it. If you are going to sell, the boost in curb appeal can help attract buyers faster and even trigger a bidding war.

Even the most affordable vinyl siding can boost your curb appeal significantly. Watch this video to join Danny Lipford in completing an exterior home makeover and see just what low-cost siding can do.

Increase Property Value

Updated siding can increase your property value and provide an excellent return on investment or ROI. The siding ROI amount varies depending on the material, but can be awfully close to 100% for lower-cost materials

Decrease Energy Costs

Retrofitting your siding with an insulated product can reduce your monthly energy costs. New siding improves airtightness by nearly 10% and decreases heating bills by around 8%. Replacing the siding is more cost-effective than simply adding insulation while providing similar results.

Maintain Durability

When in good condition, siding shields your home from the elements to improve your comfort while protecting your investment. Siding prevents pest infestations and keeps the underlying materials from decaying from exposure to rain, wind, UV rays, and even saltwater in the air. So, replacing your siding at the first sign of damage is vital in maintaining your home’s overall durability.

Professional vs. DIY Siding Installation

Depending on the size and complexity of the job, it can go either way. For small siding repair or replacement projects, it’s certainly something a homeowner can do themselves (if they’re so inclined.) For larger or more complex jobs, professional installation is a homeowner’s best bet. While there’s pride and savings in doing something yourself, there’s a certainty and peace of mind that comes with professional work done by reputable installers.

Siding Your Own House

Siding is a straightforward process without many unforeseen variables. Most siding installation projects follow a core process of layout, measure, cut, and fit. It’s a doable project for a handy homeowner, but it does come with obstacles.

Chiefly, siding requires scaffolding for all but the lowest houses. It’s possible to do some siding work from a ladder, but it’s risky, unideal, and inevitably frustrating. Scaffolding is easy to setup, but moving scaffolding can a burden. Modern scaffolding is made of steel, so the pieces are certainly not light. Renting scaffolding will also add to your overall siding installation cost.

In most cases, an extra pair of hands is necessary as well. Siding can be unwieldy, so having someone to help you wrangle pieces onto the wall is necessary. It’s doubly beneficial if they can measure and cut accurately. In my experience, two people is all you really need to do siding: one person cutting pieces and one installing them.

If you decide to side your house, as with all DIY projects, make sure you’re familiar and confident with proper safety practices. Construction is an injury-prone business, so minimizing risks to yourself and others is essential.

Hiring a Professional Siding Company

Choosing the right siding installer is crucial to getting the best results and enjoying a positive home improvement experience. To find the right professional siding company for you, follow these steps.

1. Find local experts near you: Find local experts with a good reputation for quality workmanship by asking friends and family, reading online reviews, and looking to trusted publications like Today’s Homeowner.
2. Get at least three quotes: Always get at least three quotes from professional siding companies to see the price range in your area and give yourself multiple options.
3. Review portfolios and references: Ask each siding company for their portfolios of past work and references to call so you can see their results and ask about the overall project experience.
4. Check license, bond, and insurance: Verify that your selected siding contractor has you well protected by carrying the proper licenses, bonds, and insurance for your area.
5. Ask about product and workmanship guarantees: Check if your selected siding material comes with a warranty and if the installer guarantees their workmanship and for how long.
6. Review the home improvement contract: Review the siding installation contract from top to bottom to understand the project terms and confirm that you agree with them.
7. Ask for any clarification you need: Ask for clarification about the pricing, contract terms, and anything else you need to know, like if the contractor will handle getting all the permits and inspections.
8. Select a siding installation contractor: Use the information you gathered to choose a siding installation contractor that you think will do the job best.
9. Finalize the contract and make the first payment: Sign the contract and provide the first payment, usually ½ of the project total, so your contractor can order materials and get started.

Check out the tool below to breeze through the professional siding company selection process.

So, Is The Cost of House Siding Worth It?

A house siding upgrade is definitely worth the cost. This project can transform your home’s look, improve its durability, and decrease energy costs. Beyond that, new siding offers an excellent return on investment of at least 85% by boosting your home’s value.

To enjoy all those benefits, hiring a professional siding company is the way to go. Trying to install the siding yourself might cost less upfront, but it has the potential to result in costly mistakes. Furthermore, improper installation can void product warranties, resulting in higher costs in the end.