Siding · Cost
Siding cost — what to expect and what to skip
What siding work costs, and which of it you should not be paying for at all. Prices vary by region and by how much access the job needs. Where a job has a genuine do-it-yourself version, we say so rather than quoting a number for it.
Prices vary by region and by how much access the job needs. Instead of quoting numbers that won’t match your area, this page shows what moves the price, so you can read a quote and compare two of them fairly.
1What the work involves
A siding repair means removing the damaged panels, checking the housewrap and sheathing behind them, fixing what’s wet, and fitting new panels that match. A full re-side adds tear-off, disposal, new housewrap, flashing at every window and door, and new trim. These are the jobs where paying a pro usually makes sense:
2What drives the price
| Cost driver | Why it matters | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Vinyl, aluminum, wood and fiber cement differ in price and in how much labor they take | The exact product and profile, in writing |
| Wall area and height | Second stories and steep grades need staging or lifts | How access is priced |
| Trim and openings | Every window, door and corner adds cutting and flashing | Whether flashing and trim are included |
| Damage behind the panels | Wet sheathing has to be replaced before new siding goes on | A per-sheet or per-foot price for sheathing repair |
| Matching | Discontinued profiles and colors can force a whole wall to be redone | Whether they can source a match before work starts |
| Older-home work | Asbestos-cement siding and pre-1978 paint need testing or lead-safe methods | Test results and lead-safe certification |
3Things you should not pay for
These are common reasons people get siding quotes when they don’t need a siding job. Read the page first.
Intact, painted asbestos-cement siding doesn’t need to be removed. If anyone plans to cut, drill or remove it, have it tested first, and leave any removal to a licensed abatement contractor. On a pre-1978 home, paid work that disturbs paint should be done by a lead-safe certified firm.
4Do it yourself or hire a pro
Do it yourself
- Washing chalky aluminum siding
- Cutting out and renewing caulk at trim and penetrations
- Pulling soil and mulch back from the bottom course
- Single-story work you can reach safely
Hire a pro
- Soft or wet sheathing behind the panels
- Storm damage going on an insurance claim
- Vinyl that was installed too tight
- Anything on a second story or over a steep slope
Talk to a local siding contractor and ask for every line item in writing.
877-360-46575Questions
Why do two siding quotes differ so much?
They often include different things. Check whether each covers tear-off, housewrap, flashing, trim, sheathing repair and disposal before comparing totals.
Can I replace just the damaged panels?
Yes, if you can find a match. Older or discontinued profiles are often hard to source, which can mean redoing a full wall so it looks consistent.
Should I pay for an inspection?
Testing suspected asbestos-cement siding before work is worth paying for. For most other problems, a contractor’s estimate should include a look at the wall.
Back to Siding.
Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.
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