Siding Replacement Cost in 2026: Vinyl, Fiber Cement, Wood
Siding is priced by the square foot of wall, and the wall is rarely in the condition the homeowner expects. Removal usually reveals what the old siding was hiding.
Short answer. Most homeowners pay $9,000 to $20,000 for a siding replacement, with a typical mid-grade project around $15,000. The spread is driven by scope, not by the size of the room.
Vinyl is the cheapest way to re-clad a house and the least durable in extreme heat or wind. Fiber cement costs 40–60% more and holds paint far longer. Wood and engineered wood sit in between on price and demand more maintenance.
The ranges below assume a 1,500–2,000 sq ft single-family house, removal of one layer of existing siding, new house wrap, and standard trim. Rot repair, a second layer, or scaffolding changes the total quickly.
Cost by scope of work
The same room can fall into three different rows. Decide which one you are actually buying before you compare bids.
| Scope of work | Typical cost | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl, 1,500 sq ft of wall | $9,000 – $14,000 | Removal of one layer, house wrap, standard trim, no rot repair. |
| Fiber cement, 1,500 sq ft | $14,000 – $22,000 | Hardie-type planks, factory finish, new trim and flashing. |
| Engineered wood | $15,000 – $24,000 | LP SmartSide-type product, good paint hold, standard trim. |
| Cedar or wood clapboard | $20,000 – $35,000 | Natural wood, site-painted or stained, highest maintenance. |
Where the money goes
A typical mid-range budget breaks down like this. Material-heavy projects (roofing, siding) put more into product; labour-heavy projects (painting, tile) put more into hours.
| Line item | Share | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | 34% | $5,100 |
| Labour | 34% | $5,100 |
| Removal and disposal of old siding | 10% | $1,500 |
| Trim, soffit and fascia | 9% | $1,350 |
| House wrap and flashing | 5% | $750 |
| Permit | 5% | $750 |
| Scaffolding and access | 3% | $450 |
Illustrative budget for a ≈ $15,000 (vinyl) siding replacement. Percentages are shares of the total project cost, not markups on materials.
What moves the price
Wall area and storeys
Two-storey walls need scaffolding, which is both a rental cost and a slower work rate. Gables and dormers add cutting and detail time that square footage does not capture.
What is behind the old siding
Sheathing rot, missing flashing, or a second layer of siding installed over the first are all common. Allow 10–15% of the budget for sheathing repair, and expect the contractor to price it per sheet once the wall is open.
Material choice
Vinyl is the cheapest and expands and contracts the most. Fiber cement holds paint for 15 years and resists impact. Cedar needs re-finishing every 3–5 years and is the most expensive to own, not just to buy.
Trim detail
Window and door surrounds, corner boards, soffit and fascia are where a cheap siding job is exposed. They are also the line item most often under-specified in a low bid.
How much does it cost in your state?
Labour rates, permit fees and material logistics vary enough that a national range is only a starting point. California and New York run 30–35% above the national average for the same scope; Mississippi, Ohio and Texas run below it.
| State | Cost index | Adjusted planning range |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1.30 | $11,700 – $26,000 |
| New York | 1.35 | $12,200 – $27,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1.32 | $11,900 – $26,400 |
| Washington | 1.22 | $11,000 – $24,400 |
| Florida | 1.05 | $9,400 – $21,000 |
| Texas | 0.95 | $8,600 – $19,000 |
| Ohio | 0.90 | $8,100 – $18,000 |
| Mississippi | 0.82 | $7,400 – $16,400 |
Index 1.00 = the national average used in the range above. Derived from published labour-rate and material-cost differentials, then applied to the national range and rounded to the nearest $100. Treat it as a planning band, not a quote.
Local permits and HOA rules add cost that no index captures. Two or three written quotes for your address remain the only accurate number.
How to get a number you can trust
- Write the scope down. List what is being removed, what is being installed, and what is explicitly excluded. A bid is only comparable to another bid with the same scope.
- Get three written quotes. Ask each contractor to state the permit holder, the payment schedule and the change-order rate. Verbal estimates are not quotes.
- Hold a contingency. 10–15% on any project that opens a wall, a floor or a roof. Hidden conditions are the norm, not the exception.
- Check licensing and insurance. Verify the licence number with the state, and ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additionally insured.
Frequently asked questions
How much does siding cost per square foot?
Vinyl runs $6–$12 per sq ft installed. Fiber cement runs $10–$16. Engineered wood sits between $11 and $16, and cedar clapboard runs $14–$23.
Does new siding need to be painted?
Vinyl and factory-finished fiber cement do not. Fiber cement that is site-painted needs repainting in 10–15 years; cedar needs re-finishing every 3–5 years.
Can new siding go over the old siding?
It can be done and it is usually a mistake. Layering traps moisture, hides rot, and adds weight and thickness at every window and door. Removal is the correct method and should be in the quote.
How long does a siding replacement take?
One to two weeks for an average house, weather permitting. Rot repair or a second layer to remove adds several days.
Does new siding pay for itself?
Cost-versus-value studies usually rank fiber cement and vinyl among the higher-return exterior projects, commonly crediting 60–80% of cost at resale. The practical return is lower maintenance and a dry wall cavity.
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Last updated: November 2026. Figures are planning estimates for general information, not a quote or a contract.