Siding Replacement Cost Breakdown & Material Tiers
A complete siding replacement budget consists of materials, removal, weather barrier, trim accessories, and installation labor.
| Material Option | Material / Sq | Labor / Sq | Total Installed / Sq | Typical 15 Sq Job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Vinyl | $180 – $350 | $250 – $450 | $550 – $950 | $8,250 – $14,250 |
| Insulated Vinyl | $320 – $600 | $280 – $500 | $750 – $1,250 | $11,250 – $18,750 |
| Fiber Cement (Hardie) | $350 – $750 | $350 – $650 | $850 – $1,550 | $12,750 – $23,250 |
| Engineered Wood (LP) | $300 – $650 | $300 – $550 | $750 – $1,350 | $11,250 – $20,250 |
| Natural Cedar Shakes | $600 – $1,200 | $450 – $850 | $1,200 – $2,250 | $18,000 – $33,750 |
Installed Project Cost Equation
Total Cost = Siding Squares × (Material Rate + Labor Rate + Tear-Off + House Wrap + Trim Allowance)Variables & Units:
- Material Rate
- Raw siding panels and trim per square ($180 - $750/sq)
- Labor Rate
- Contractor installation including story height factor ($250 - $650/sq)
- Tear-Off
- Old siding removal, dumpster, and disposal ($100 - $220/sq)
Note: Estimates provided are planning baselines. Obtain multiple written contractor quotes before finalizing project financing.
Worked Example: 1,800 sq ft Home Siding Replacement
Scenario: Estimating complete replacement costs for an 1,800 sq ft (18 squares) 2-story home converting to James Hardie fiber cement with old siding tear-off, weather barrier, and new corner trim.
18 squares × $520/sq avg fiber cement plank & fastener cost
18 squares × $560/sq (including 2-story staging multiplier)
Tear-Off ($2,700) + House Wrap ($900) + Trim/Corners ($2,340)
$9,360 + $10,080 + $5,940
Takeaway: Complete turnkey installation averages ~$25,380 ($1,410 per square) for a 2-story home with premium fiber cement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to side a 1,500 sq ft house?
Complete siding replacement for an average 1,500 sq ft house (15 squares) typically ranges from $9,000 to $15,000 for standard vinyl, $14,000 to $22,000 for James Hardie fiber cement, and $18,000 to $30,000 for natural cedar shakes, including old siding removal, house wrap, and contractor labor.
What factors affect siding installation labor costs?
Labor costs are influenced by the siding material weight (fiber cement requires specialized cutting blades and two-person handling), number of stories (multi-story homes require scaffolding and staging), existing wall rot repairs, and complex architectural details such as dormers, bump-outs, and bay windows.
How much does old siding tear-off and disposal cost?
Removing existing siding and hauling it away typically costs between $1.00 and $2.20 per square foot ($100 to $220 per square), including dumpster rental and landfill disposal fees.
Related Exterior Calculators
Continue planning with related specialized calculation tools for this project.
Siding Calculator
Calculate total siding squares, cartons, panels, and trim accessories for rectangular walls and gables with opening deductions.
Vinyl Siding Calculator
Determine vinyl siding cartons, specific profile exposures (Double 4", 4.5", 5", Single 7"), J-channel, and corner posts.
Hardie Plank Siding Calculator
Calculate James Hardie fiber cement plank counts, exposure reveals, joint flashing tabs, blind nails, and corner boards.
Practical Measurement & Installation Guides
Step-by-step contractor-grade guides with diagrams, formulas, and worked examples.
How Many Squares of Siding Do I Need? Siding Squares Explained
Learn what a siding square is, why construction uses squares instead of individual panels, and how to calculate exact carton requirements.
How to Calculate How Much Siding You Need (Step-by-Step)
A complete contractor-grade walkthrough on measuring rectangular walls, gable peaks, opening deductions, and ordering squares.