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How much does siding replacement cost?
The short answer
Siding replacement typically costs $5 to $16 per sq ft of wall area installed, depending on material. Vinyl is the budget standard at roughly $5 to $9, fiber cement runs $8 to $14, and wood and premium composites reach $10 to $20 or more. For an average home with about 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft of siding, expect totals between $9,000 and $28,000.
Siding quotes vary more than almost any exterior project because wall area, stories, trim detail, and what hides behind the old siding all swing the price. Get bids measured in actual squares, 100 sq ft units, with tear-off, house wrap, and trim listed separately.
Material choice is a decades-long decision: vinyl is a 25 to 40 year product, fiber cement 30 to 50, and both outlast the paint cycles wood demands.
Cost by material
| Material | Installed per sq ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $5 to $9 | 25 to 40 years |
| Fiber cement | $8 to $14 | 30 to 50 years |
| Engineered wood | $7 to $12 | 25 to 40 years |
| Cedar wood | $10 to $18 | 20 to 40 years, with upkeep |
| Metal, steel or aluminum | $8 to $15 | 40 years and up |
Fiber cement's premium over vinyl buys fire resistance, a wood-like look, and paint that holds for 10 to 15 years at a stretch. Vinyl's counter-argument: it never needs painting at all.
What drives your quote
- Stories: two-story work with staging costs more per square
- Tear-off and disposal of old siding, including possible lead or asbestos handling on very old homes
- Sheathing repair discovered underneath, the classic contingency
- Trim, corners, and window wrapping, often priced per linear foot
- Region and season, exterior crews book out in spring
Repair or replace?
Isolated damage on vinyl or fiber cement can be patched panel by panel. Widespread cracking, warping, or rot behind the siding argues for full replacement, because piecemeal work on a failing system rarely matches in color or performance.
Questions homeowners ask
How do I measure my siding area?
Multiply each wall's width by height, subtract large openings, and add 10 percent for waste and gables. Contractors measure in squares of 100 sq ft.
Does new siding add insulation value?
Standard siding adds little. Insulated vinyl or added rigid foam under new siding costs more but noticeably improves comfort in drafty older homes.
How long does installation take?
One to three weeks for most homes, weather permitting, including tear-off and trim.