What re-siding actually costs per square foot
Installed all-in cost in 2026 ranges from $5.50/sq ft (vinyl, no tear-off) to $14/sq ft (cedar with full tear-off). The variable that swings most quotes is the tear-off — pulling old siding adds $1.10/sq ft labor plus dump fees. The "siding overlay" approach is cheap but voids most underlying wall warranties and traps moisture; it's almost never recommended by competent installers.
Material per-square-foot installed
- Vinyl: $5.50–$9.00/sq ft. Cheapest, lowest maintenance, 20–25 year lifespan. Color options have improved dramatically since 2020.
- Fiber-cement (Hardie, Allura): $9.00–$14.00/sq ft. 40–50 year lifespan. The default for new construction in most price tiers. Pre-painted "ColorPlus" line carries a 15-year finish warranty.
- Engineered wood (LP SmartSide): $7.50–$11.50/sq ft. Real-wood look, factory-finished, 25–30 year lifespan. Better cold-climate performance than fiber-cement.
- Cedar (clapboard or shingle): $10.00–$16.00/sq ft. The premium classic. Requires staining every 4–6 years.
- Steel siding: $9.00–$14.00/sq ft. Hail-resistant, modern aesthetic, 40-year lifespan. Color durability depends entirely on the paint system.
What's in the labor line
BLS lists median carpenter wage at $27.40/hr (May 2024 OEWS), construction laborers at $22.10/hr. Loaded crew rates are $55–$95/hr depending on metro. A 3-person crew installs ~250–350 sq ft of vinyl per day, or ~150–250 sq ft of fiber-cement (cuts produce silica dust — slower setup, masks required, OSHA compliance).
Hidden costs that surprise people
- Sheathing repair: Old siding hides rotted OSB and water-damaged sheathing. Budget $400–$1,200 for the average home. On homes with prior moisture issues, this can reach $4,000+.
- House wrap upgrade: $0.85–$1.50/sq ft. Worth every dollar — you'll never expose the walls again at this cost.
- Insulation upgrade (rigid foam): $1.50–$2.50/sq ft if you want to add R-5 to R-10 of continuous exterior insulation while the walls are open. The single best energy-efficiency upgrade hidden inside a re-siding job.
- Trim and soffit: Often quoted separately. Aluminum-wrapped or vinyl trim adds $4–$7/lf.
- Lead paint testing: Required by EPA RRP rule on pre-1978 homes. Adds $400–$800.
Regional pricing (2,000 sq ft fiber-cement, with tear-off)
| Metro | Multiplier | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1.42× | $28,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.45× | $29,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.32× | $26,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.28× | $25,600 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.26× | $25,200 |
| Washington, DC | 1.24× | $24,800 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.10× | $22,000 |
| Denver, CO | 1.08× | $21,600 |
| Miami, FL | 1.06× | $21,200 |
| Austin, TX | 1.04× | $20,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to side a 2,000 sq ft house?
Wall area on a typical 2,000 sq ft home is roughly 1,800–2,200 sq ft (subtract windows/doors). In vinyl: $9,000–$15,000 installed. Fiber-cement (Hardie): $14,000–$24,000. Cedar: $16,000–$28,000. Steel: $14,000–$22,000.
Vinyl vs fiber-cement — which lasts longer?
Fiber-cement comfortably outlasts vinyl: 40–50 years vs 20–25. Vinyl is also UV-vulnerable above the 35th parallel and warps near reflective windows. Fiber-cement requires repainting every 12–15 years; vinyl never needs paint. Total cost over 40 years is similar, but fiber-cement has higher resale appeal.
Should I replace my house wrap during siding replacement?
Always. The siding contractor opens the wall and you'll never have a cheaper opportunity to upgrade to a modern self-adhered membrane (Tyvek CommercialWrap, Henry Blueskin, GreenGuard Raindrop). Adds $0.85–$1.50/sq ft and meaningfully improves the wall assembly — money very well spent.
What's the difference between cedar and engineered wood?
Cedar is real wood — beautiful, expensive, requires staining every 4–6 years, ~30 year lifespan with maintenance. Engineered wood (LP SmartSide, Diamond Kote) is wood-fiber composite with a factory-applied finish, lasts 25–30 years with no painting, and costs about 40% less than cedar. The compromise has gotten very good.
Do I need a permit to replace siding?
Yes in most US municipalities. Permit fees are typically $200–$600. Required for code compliance with the wall assembly (water-resistive barrier, flashing, ventilation) and for fire-rated siding in WUI zones.
Can I just replace the bad sections instead of all the siding?
You can, but matching siding profiles and color across batches almost never looks right. Vinyl colors fade unevenly; fiber-cement runs change formulation. Spot repairs make sense for storm damage to a single elevation, not for general age-related deterioration.