01
Vinyl siding
The most common and least expensive option. Low maintenance, comes in many colors and profiles, and thicker panels resist wind and impact better. It can crack in extreme cold and warp near heat sources.
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Siding
Siding: what it costs and who to hire.
Siding is your home's first line of defense against water and weather. Here's what vinyl, fiber cement, wood and engineered siding actually cost per square, what goes behind the panels, and how to hire a contractor who prices the wrap, trim and flashing in writing.
Siding is priced by the square, which is 100 square feet of wall. A typical two-story house needs somewhere around 15 to 30 squares, and the material you choose changes the total more than anything else on the quote.
What goes behind the siding matters as much as the panels. House wrap, flashing around windows and doors, and trim details decide whether water stays out. A quote that doesn't name them is leaving the most important part to chance.
This page covers what siding costs nationally, the main materials, repair vs. replacement, what drives price, and what a fair written quote includes. City pages linked below carry local pricing and licensing for your market.
The work
What siding contractors actually do
02
Fiber cement siding
A cement, sand and cellulose board that resists fire, rot and insects. Heavier and slower to install than vinyl, and it's usually painted, either at the factory or on site.
03
Engineered wood siding
Wood strands bonded with resin and treated for moisture and insects. Lighter than fiber cement and looks like wood, but it needs paint and attention to edges and cuts.
04
Wood siding
Cedar clapboard, shingles and board-and-batten. Looks great and is repairable, but needs regular painting or staining and costs more to maintain.
05
Metal and other siding
Steel and aluminum siding, stucco, and stone or brick veneer are also used in some markets. Each has different installers and different prices.
06
House wrap and flashing
The weather barrier behind the siding and the flashing around windows, doors and roof lines. This is what actually keeps water out of the wall.
07
Trim, soffit and fascia
Corner boards, window and door trim, soffit and fascia are usually priced separately from the siding itself and change the total noticeably.
08
Siding repair
Replacing damaged boards or panels after storms, impact or rot. A good repair checks the sheathing behind the damage, not just the surface.
Plan the budget
What siding costs
National planning ranges for installed siding, priced per square (100 square feet). Material, house height, tear-off and trim work move these numbers. Always compare quotes per square with the material and brand named. Your city page carries local pricing.
| Scope | Planning range | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $400 – $900 per square | Most common and lowest cost |
| Engineered wood siding | $600 – $1,200 per square | Needs paint |
| Fiber cement siding | $700 – $1,500 per square | Fire and rot resistant |
| Wood siding (cedar) | $800 – $1,600 per square | Highest maintenance |
| Tear-off and disposal | $100 – $300 per square | Separate line on most quotes |
| House wrap | $50 – $150 per square | Weather barrier behind siding |
| Soffit and fascia | $15 – $40 per linear foot | Priced separately |
| Whole-house replacement (1,500–2,500 sq ft of wall) | $8,000 – $30,000 | Vinyl at the low end, fiber cement at the high end |
Material and grade: vinyl thickness, fiber cement brand, factory vs. site finish.
Total wall area in squares, and how many corners, gables and openings the house has.
Tear-off and disposal of old siding, and any damaged sheathing found underneath.
House wrap, flashing and insulation board, if included.
Trim, soffit and fascia work, priced separately.
Height and access: two- and three-story homes add staging and labor.
Permits, HOA approval, and historic-district rules where they apply.
Know the signs
Signs your siding needs repair or replacement
One cracked board is a repair. Several of these across the house usually mean replacement is the better money.
Cracked, warped or loose panels or boards.
Soft, rotting or swollen wood behind or around the siding.
Peeling paint inside the house on exterior walls, or water stains near windows.
Mold, mildew or moss growing in the seams.
Rising heating and cooling bills with no other explanation.
Faded or chalky siding that needs painting more often than it used to.
Holes from storms, impact or pests.
Gaps around windows, doors and corners where water can get behind the siding.
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How to hire a siding contractor
The best predictor of a good siding job is a quote that names what goes behind the siding, not just the panels in front.
1
Get a price per square, with the material, brand, product line and color named in writing.
2
Confirm tear-off and disposal are included, and how damaged sheathing will be priced if found.
3
Ask what house wrap and flashing will be used, and how windows and doors will be flashed.
4
Get trim, soffit and fascia priced as separate lines.
5
Ask whether the installer is certified by the manufacturer, if that affects the product warranty.
6
Ask whether the company's own crew installs, or a subcontractor.
7
Get the workmanship warranty in writing, separate from the material warranty.
8
Verify the contractor license or home-improvement registration your state requires, plus liability insurance.
9
Confirm whether a permit applies in your city and who pulls it, and check HOA rules.
10
Get cleanup, nail sweeping and haul-away written into the quote.
Walk away when you see these
A lump-sum price with no square count or material named.
No mention of house wrap, flashing or tear-off.
Siding installed over damaged or wet sheathing without checking it.
Pressure to sign today for a 'storm' or 'demo home' discount.
Large deposits well beyond what's needed to order material.
No workmanship warranty, or a vague verbal one.
A salesperson who won't leave a written quote behind.
Related work
Window replacement
Replacing siding is the easiest time to replace or reflash windows, since the trim is already off.
Questions homeowners ask
Siding installation and repair, answered plainly.
How much does new siding cost?
Vinyl commonly runs $400 to $900 per square installed and fiber cement $700 to $1,500 per square. A whole-house replacement often lands between $8,000 and $30,000 depending on wall area, material, tear-off and trim.
What is a square of siding?
A square is 100 square feet of wall. Contractors measure the walls, subtract large openings, and add waste for cuts and corners.
Vinyl or fiber cement — which is better?
Vinyl costs less and needs little maintenance. Fiber cement costs more, resists fire, rot and impact better, and holds paint well. Climate, budget and the look you want decide it.
Can new siding go over old siding?
Sometimes, but most contractors recommend tear-off so they can inspect the sheathing and install a proper weather barrier. Check your local code, since some areas limit layers.
How long does siding installation take?
A typical house takes one to two weeks, depending on size, material, weather and how much repair is needed underneath.
Do I need a permit for new siding?
It varies by city. Many jurisdictions require a permit for a full re-side; repairs often don't. HOA and historic-district rules may also apply. Confirm with your local building office.
Does new siding improve energy efficiency?
Siding alone adds little insulation, but a proper house wrap, sealed gaps and optional insulated siding or foam board can reduce drafts and air leaks.
How long does siding last?
With normal maintenance, vinyl and fiber cement commonly last decades. Wood needs regular painting or staining to last. Installation quality and flashing matter as much as the material.
Local market guides
Find your city and see what the work costs there.
Each city page covers local labor pricing, weather, permits, licensing, neighborhoods and the contractors Henry can match in that market.
Arizona
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Idaho
Kentucky
Maine
Massachusetts
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Vermont
West Virginia
Ready to talk to a local siding contractor?
Tell Henry what you need. We’ll send your project to no more than three local pros — and you decide whether any of them earns your business.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy — Air sealing your home · FTC — Hiring a Contractor · International Code Council — residential code
The Henry Standard
Every siding contractor in our network agrees to three things.
Show up
Call back. Keep appointments. And if something changes, communicate it.
Quote honestly
Price per square, material, wrap and flashing in writing — no vague lump sum.
Finish the work
Install, flash and trim every wall, then clean up and sweep for nails before calling it finished.
Nothing revolutionary. Just the way we believe doing business should still be done.