How Much Does Siding Replacement Cost in 2026

Average Siding Replacement Cost by Material

Material choice is the single largest factor in your total siding replacement cost. Here are the installed prices homeowners are paying in 2026, covering both materials and professional labor.

Vinyl siding: $4 to $12 per square foot installed. Standard vinyl at the lower end of this range is the most budget-friendly option available. Premium insulated vinyl with foam backing pushes costs toward $10 to $12 per square foot but offers noticeably better energy performance and a more solid feel. For a home with 1,500 square feet of exterior wall area, vinyl siding runs $6,000 to $18,000 total.

Fiber cement siding: $7 to $18 per square foot installed. James Hardie products make up the vast majority of the fiber cement market. Their primed HardiePlank runs $7 to $12 per square foot installed, while the ColorPlus factory-finished version costs $10 to $18 per square foot. The pre-finished option eliminates the cost of painting after installation, which saves $2,000 to $5,000 in painter labor. For 1,500 square feet, expect $10,500 to $27,000.

Wood siding: $8 to $20 per square foot installed. Cedar lap siding is the most common at $8 to $14 per square foot. Cedar shingles cost $10 to $18. Pine and spruce (pressure-treated) run $6 to $10 but require more frequent maintenance. Exotic species like redwood or ipe can exceed $20 per square foot. For 1,500 square feet, wood siding costs $12,000 to $30,000.

Engineered wood: $6 to $14 per square foot installed. LP SmartSide dominates this category, offering the appearance of real wood with better moisture and termite resistance. Installed prices of $6 to $14 per square foot place it firmly between vinyl and fiber cement. For 1,500 square feet, expect $9,000 to $21,000.

Metal siding: $7 to $16 per square foot installed. Aluminum runs $7 to $12 while steel costs $10 to $16. Standing-seam profiles cost more than horizontal lap. For 1,500 square feet, metal siding costs $10,500 to $24,000.

Stone veneer: $15 to $40 per square foot installed. Manufactured stone veneer sits at $15 to $25 while natural stone runs $25 to $40. Most homeowners use stone as an accent rather than full coverage. A full stone veneer project on 1,500 square feet would cost $22,500 to $60,000.

What Drives the Cost Up or Down

House size and wall area. The total square footage of your exterior walls, not the interior living space, determines material and labor quantities. A two-story home has more wall area than a ranch of the same interior square footage. Homes with complex geometry (many corners, dormers, gables, bay windows) require more cutting, flashing, and trim work, which increases labor costs by 15% to 30% compared to a simple rectangular footprint. See our detailed siding replacement cost by house size guide for specific estimates.

Old siding removal. Stripping existing siding adds $1,000 to $3,000 to the project. Most contractors include this in their bid, but ask specifically. If you have multiple layers of old siding (common on older homes that have been re-sided before), removal costs can reach $4,000 to $5,000 due to the additional labor and disposal volume.

Substrate repairs. Once the old siding comes off, the crew inspects the sheathing and house wrap underneath. If they find rot, water damage, or deteriorated sheathing, repairs add $500 to $5,000 or more depending on the extent. Homes with long-deferred maintenance or a history of water intrusion are most likely to have expensive substrate issues.

Geographic region. Labor rates vary significantly by region. The Northeast and West Coast are the most expensive markets for siding installation, with labor rates 20% to 40% higher than the national average. The Southeast and Midwest tend to be more affordable. Material costs also vary because of shipping distances from manufacturing plants.

Time of year. Siding contractors are busiest from late spring through early fall. Scheduling your project for late fall or early winter (in regions where weather permits) can sometimes yield lower bids due to reduced demand, though not all contractors discount for off-season work.

Trim and accessories. Window and door trim, corner posts, J-channel, soffit, fascia, and other accessories typically add 10% to 20% to the material cost. If you are upgrading trim at the same time as siding, that percentage can be higher. Premium trim products from brands like Azek (cellular PVC) cost more than standard aluminum or vinyl trim.

Labor Cost Breakdown

Labor typically accounts for 40% to 60% of the total siding replacement cost. The exact percentage depends on the material, because some siding types are significantly more labor-intensive to install than others.

Vinyl siding installation labor runs $2 to $5 per square foot. Vinyl is lightweight, cuts easily, and snaps into place with a straightforward locking mechanism, which makes it the fastest material to install. A skilled two-person crew can side an average home in 3 to 5 days.

Fiber cement installation labor runs $4 to $8 per square foot. Fiber cement planks are heavy (a 12-foot plank weighs roughly 25 pounds), require special cutting tools (fiber cement generates harmful silica dust when cut), and demand more precise nailing patterns. Installation takes 5 to 10 days for an average home.

Wood siding installation labor runs $3 to $7 per square foot. The labor cost depends heavily on the profile, as shingle and shake installation is more labor-intensive than horizontal clapboard. Staining or priming on site before installation adds additional labor time and cost.

Stone veneer installation labor runs $8 to $18 per square foot, making it the most labor-intensive siding material. Stone requires a mortar bed, precise fitting, and careful alignment, which demands specialized masonry skills.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Permits: $100 to $500. Most municipalities require a building permit for full siding replacement, though some waive the requirement if you are replacing with the same material type. Check with your local building department before starting.

Disposal and dumpster: $300 to $1,000. Old siding generates a surprising volume of debris. A 20-yard dumpster rental runs $300 to $500 for a week, and you may need two if your home is large or has multiple siding layers. Some contractors include disposal in their bid, others do not.

Painting (primed products only): $2,000 to $5,000. If you choose primed fiber cement or primed engineered wood, you will need to have it painted after a 30 to 90 day curing period. Two coats of exterior paint on siding costs $2,000 to $5,000 depending on house size. This cost is eliminated if you choose factory-finished products.

Landscaping protection and repair: $200 to $1,000. The installation crew will work from ladders and scaffolding around the perimeter of your home. Despite protective measures, some shrubs, flower beds, and lawn areas may sustain damage during the project. Budget for minor landscaping restoration afterward.

Regional Cost Differences

Siding replacement costs vary by 20% to 40% across different regions of the United States, driven primarily by labor rate differences and local material availability.

Northeast (New England, Mid-Atlantic): Expect costs 15% to 30% above national averages. Higher labor rates, shorter installation seasons due to weather, and strong demand for siding replacement on aging housing stock all contribute. Fiber cement is increasingly popular here because of its performance in freeze-thaw conditions.

Southeast: Costs run roughly at or slightly below national averages. Longer installation seasons and competitive labor markets keep prices in check. James Hardie HZ10 (hot-humid climate formulation) is the premium choice in this region. See our climate siding guide.

Midwest: Generally 5% to 15% below national averages for labor, making this one of the more affordable regions for siding replacement. Vinyl dominates the market, with fiber cement growing in popularity in suburban areas of major metros.

West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington): Expect costs 20% to 40% above national averages, with the Bay Area and Los Angeles being the most expensive markets nationwide for siding installation. Wildfire zone requirements in California often mandate non-combustible materials, eliminating the vinyl option and increasing material costs.

Southwest: Stucco is the dominant exterior cladding here. Homeowners transitioning from stucco to traditional siding face additional removal costs of $3 to $7 per square foot for the stucco tear-off. See our stucco vs siding comparison for transition details.

How to Get the Best Price

Get at least three written estimates from licensed, insured siding contractors. Compare bids line by line, making sure each one covers the same scope of work including material brand and grade, removal of old siding, disposal, trim and accessories, and any known substrate repairs.

Ask each contractor about their warranty terms, both the manufacturer warranty on materials and the workmanship warranty from the contractor. A lower bid that comes with a one-year workmanship warranty is not necessarily a better deal than a higher bid with a five-year or ten-year warranty.

Check contractor references and look at recent completed projects if possible. Siding installation quality varies enormously between contractors, and poor installation can void manufacturer warranties, create moisture problems, and reduce the lifespan of even premium materials.

Consider total cost of ownership rather than just upfront price. Vinyl is the cheapest to install but needs replacing in 15 to 25 years. Fiber cement costs more upfront but lasts 30 to 50 years with minimal maintenance. On a per-year basis, the more expensive material often costs less.