Siding Replacement Cost Calculator
Calculate standard vinyl, insulated vinyl, and James Hardie fiber cement siding by exterior wall square footage with two-story staging and tear-off allowances.
Siding Replacement Cost Calculator
PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
Gross exterior wall square footage to be re-sided (a typical 2,000 sq ft home has ~2,000 sq ft of siding area)
Elevated multi-story elevations require pump-jack staging and OSHA fall-protection setup
Strip existing siding down to sheathing, dumpster rental, and landfill tipping fees
Install Tyvek HomeWrap weather barrier with taped seams and window flashing
MATERIAL GRADE SELECTION
REGIONAL LABOR MARKET TIER
SPECIFICATION TAKEOFF & LINE-ITEM BREAKDOWN
.042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts
Carpenter crew: chalk layout lines, J-channel / starter strip installation, panel hanging with floating thermal expansion gap, and soffit transitions
Municipal residential exterior alteration and building envelope permit
Modeled via optional tear-off add-on; zero base disposal for over-cladding existing flat siding
Pump-jack scaffolding, ladder jacks, and elevated fall-protection safety harness staging (+15% labor surcharge)
Stripping existing siding down to sheathing, roll-off dumpster rental, and landfill tonnage disposal ($1.25/sq ft)
Tyvek commercial weather-resistant barrier, capped fasteners, and window/door flashing tape ($0.45/sq ft)
| Cost Component | Notes & Rate Basis | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Vinyl Siding Siding Panels | .042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts Source: [Primary Source] Lowe's — Vinyl Siding Panels & Fiber Cement Lap Siding • Checked 2026-10-22 Standard .042-inch residential vinyl siding, J-channels, undersill trim, and color-matched aluminum corner posts ($2.20/sq ft). | $4,400 |
| Professional Trade Labor | Carpenter crew: chalk layout lines, J-channel / starter strip installation, panel hanging with floating thermal expansion gap, and soffit transitions BLS OEWS May 2024 Carpenters (SOC 47-2031): median $28.51/hr · mean $30.79/hr. Modeled siding installer wage: $31.50/hr × 0.065 hr/sq ft = $2.0475 base wage × 2.10 burden multiplier = $4.30/sq ft turnkey trade labor. | $8,600 |
| Building Permit & Municipal Inspections | Municipal residential exterior alteration and building envelope permit Source: [Industry Benchmark] HomeGuide — Siding Replacement Cost per Square Foot (2026 Benchmarks) • Checked 2026-10-22 City and county residential exterior envelope alteration permit covering fire-rated wall assemblies and weather barrier inspections ($250 flat fee). | $250 |
| Debris Disposal & Haul-Away | Modeled via optional tear-off add-on; zero base disposal for over-cladding existing flat siding Source: [Industry Benchmark] HomeGuide — Siding Replacement Cost per Square Foot (2026 Benchmarks) • Checked 2026-10-22 Debris disposal included under specific tear-off add-on or municipal dumpster provisions. | $0 |
| Two-Story Pump-Jack Scaffolding & Staging Surcharge (+15% Labor) | Pump-jack scaffolding, ladder jacks, and elevated fall-protection safety harness staging (+15% labor surcharge) BLS OEWS May 2024 Carpenters (SOC 47-2031): median $28.51/hr · mean $30.79/hr. Modeled siding installer wage: $31.50/hr × 0.065 hr/sq ft = $2.0475 base wage × 2.10 burden multiplier = $4.30/sq ft turnkey trade labor. | $1,290 |
| Old Siding Stripping, Dumpster Rental & Landfill Disposal | Stripping existing siding down to sheathing, roll-off dumpster rental, and landfill tonnage disposal ($1.25/sq ft) Source: [Industry Benchmark] HomeGuide — Siding Replacement Cost per Square Foot (2026 Benchmarks) • Checked 2026-10-22 Manual stripping of old siding, nail pulling, dumpster rental, and waste tipping fees ($1.25/sq ft). | $2,500 |
| Tyvek HomeWrap Weather-Resistant Barrier (WRB) & Seam Tape | Tyvek commercial weather-resistant barrier, capped fasteners, and window/door flashing tape ($0.45/sq ft) Source: [Primary Source] Lowe's — Vinyl Siding Panels & Fiber Cement Lap Siding • Checked 2026-10-22 Breathable housewrap installation with plastic cap nails, seam sealing tape, and flashing membrane ($0.45/sq ft). | $900 |
| Total Project Estimate | $17,940 | |
What's included in this estimate
- –Replacing rotted structural plywood or OSB wall sheathing discovered after old siding removal ($75–$120/sheet allowance)
- –Exterior wall cavity batt insulation or rigid foam insulation board installation
- –Soffit, fascia board, and seamless aluminum gutter replacement
- –Lead paint abatement required on pre-1978 wood siding stripping
- ·Simple rectangular single-story ranch with walkable perimeter and zero scaffolding required (1.00× labor)
- ·Installing standard .042-inch vinyl siding ($2.20/sq ft materials)
- ·Direct over-cladding over sound flat existing siding without tear-off expenses
- ·Rural or lower-cost regional labor market (0.85× multiplier)
- ·Two-story or multi-story elevations requiring pump-jack scaffolding and fall-arrest staging (+15% labor)
- ·Upgrading to James Hardie ColorPlus fiber cement lap siding ($4.80/sq ft materials) or insulated vinyl ($3.40/sq ft)
- ·Stripping existing wood or asbestos siding down to wall sheathing ($1.25/sq ft tear-off & disposal)
- ·Installing Tyvek weather-resistant barrier and window flashing tape ($0.45/sq ft)
- ·High-cost or premium metropolitan labor market (1.20× to 1.40× in NYC, San Francisco, Boston)
When removing existing siding uncovers water leaks that rotted exterior plywood or OSB sheathing sheets, carpentry crews must replace structural panels ($75–$120 per sheet) before new siding can be attached.
Homes built prior to 1978 with peeling paint require EPA Lead-Safe Certified Contractor protocols, plastic ground containment, HEPA air filtration, and hazardous disposal manifesting.
Architectural features with numerous dormers, angles, and transitions require extensive custom metal flashing and significantly increase manual cutting labor.
When siding replacement is covered by a homeowners insurance claim for severe hail impact or wind damage, out-of-pocket homeowner expense is typically limited to the insurance policy deductible.
Check this estimate yourself
Verify our benchmark numbers against the same primary sources we use for materials, labor, and local permitting:
Calculation Formula & Engineering Rules
Our estimating engine calculates required volume or surface area from your project dimensions, applies verified unit material prices, adds trade-standard waste allowances, and adjusts labor, permit, and disposal components for regional economic variations:
Total Cost = Material Costs + [(Labor + Permits + Disposal) ×
Regional Multiplier] Worked Estimating Example: Baseline Specification
ENGINE BASELINE OUTPUTBelow is a fully itemized breakdown for a typical residential project configured with our default baseline dimensions ( 2,000 sq ft wall area (2-story, tear-off)) using standard national benchmark pricing in an average-cost US market:
| Cost Component | Category | Amount ($) | Share of Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Component & Scope | Amount · Share | ||||
| materials Standard Vinyl Siding Siding Panels .042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts | $4,400.00 · 24.5% | Standard Vinyl Siding Siding Panels .042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts | materials | $4,400.00 | 24.5% |
| labour Professional Trade Labor Carpenter crew: chalk layout lines, J-channel / starter strip installation, panel hanging with floating thermal expansion gap, and soffit transitions | $8,600.00 · 47.9% | Professional Trade Labor Carpenter crew: chalk layout lines, J-channel / starter strip installation, panel hanging with floating thermal expansion gap, and soffit transitions | labour | $8,600.00 | 47.9% |
| permit Building Permit & Municipal Inspections Municipal residential exterior alteration and building envelope permit | $250.00 · 1.4% | Building Permit & Municipal Inspections Municipal residential exterior alteration and building envelope permit | permit | $250.00 | 1.4% |
| disposal Debris Disposal & Haul-Away Modeled via optional tear-off add-on; zero base disposal for over-cladding existing flat siding | $0.00 · 0.0% | Debris Disposal & Haul-Away Modeled via optional tear-off add-on; zero base disposal for over-cladding existing flat siding | disposal | $0.00 | 0.0% |
| labour Two-Story Pump-Jack Scaffolding & Staging Surcharge (+15% Labor) Pump-jack scaffolding, ladder jacks, and elevated fall-protection safety harness staging (+15% labor surcharge) | $1,290.00 · 7.2% | Two-Story Pump-Jack Scaffolding & Staging Surcharge (+15% Labor) Pump-jack scaffolding, ladder jacks, and elevated fall-protection safety harness staging (+15% labor surcharge) | labour | $1,290.00 | 7.2% |
| disposal Old Siding Stripping, Dumpster Rental & Landfill Disposal Stripping existing siding down to sheathing, roll-off dumpster rental, and landfill tonnage disposal ($1.25/sq ft) | $2,500.00 · 13.9% | Old Siding Stripping, Dumpster Rental & Landfill Disposal Stripping existing siding down to sheathing, roll-off dumpster rental, and landfill tonnage disposal ($1.25/sq ft) | disposal | $2,500.00 | 13.9% |
| materials Tyvek HomeWrap Weather-Resistant Barrier (WRB) & Seam Tape Tyvek commercial weather-resistant barrier, capped fasteners, and window/door flashing tape ($0.45/sq ft) | $900.00 · 5.0% | Tyvek HomeWrap Weather-Resistant Barrier (WRB) & Seam Tape Tyvek commercial weather-resistant barrier, capped fasteners, and window/door flashing tape ($0.45/sq ft) | materials | $900.00 | 5.0% |
| Total Estimated Baseline Cost | $17,940.00 · 100.0% | ||||
|
National Contractor Range (2000 sq ft)
$15,652 – $20,861 (
$8.97/sq ft)
| |||||
| Total Estimated Baseline Cost | $17,940.00 | 100.0% | |||
| National Contractor Range (2000 sq ft) | $15,652 – $20,861 ( $8.97/sq ft) | ||||
Material Grades & National Supplier Pricing
Unit material pricing sourced from verified national suppliers (Home Depot, Lowe's, and specialty regional building distributors) as of 2026-10-22:
| Material Grade | Unit Price | Specification & Recommended Use Case | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material Grade & Specification | Unit Price | |||
| Standard Vinyl Siding (.042" Traditional Lap) .042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts | $2.20 / sq ft | Standard Vinyl Siding (.042" Traditional Lap) | $2.20 / sq ft | .042-inch thick virgin PVC Dutch lap or clapboard siding panels with starter strips, J-channels, and corner posts |
| Insulated Vinyl Siding (Contoured EPS Foam Backing) .046-inch heavy-gauge vinyl with factory-fused contoured expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam (adds R-2.0 to R-3.0 insulation) | $3.40 / sq ft | Insulated Vinyl Siding (Contoured EPS Foam Backing) | $3.40 / sq ft | .046-inch heavy-gauge vinyl with factory-fused contoured expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam (adds R-2.0 to R-3.0 insulation) |
| James Hardie Fiber Cement Lap Siding (ColorPlus) HardiePlank 5/16-inch thick fiber cement lap siding with factory-baked ColorPlus ceramic finish (Class A fire rating) | $4.80 / sq ft | James Hardie Fiber Cement Lap Siding (ColorPlus) | $4.80 / sq ft | HardiePlank 5/16-inch thick fiber cement lap siding with factory-baked ColorPlus ceramic finish (Class A fire rating) |
| Engineered Wood / LP SmartSide Strand Siding Zinc borate-treated wood strands bonded with water-resistant resins and embossed cedar woodgrain overlay | $3.90 / sq ft | Engineered Wood / LP SmartSide Strand Siding | $3.90 / sq ft | Zinc borate-treated wood strands bonded with water-resistant resins and embossed cedar woodgrain overlay |
DIY vs. Professional Contractor Installation
DIY APPROACH
Best suited for experienced homeowners with proper specialty tools. Saves direct professional labor costs (typically 40% to 55% of the total contractor invoice). Requires significant physical stamina, site preparation, safety gear, tool rental expenses, and material hauling logistics.
HIRING A LICENSED CONTRACTOR
Recommended for structural integrity, code-compliant permitting, heavy demolition, and expedited completion. Professional contractors carry commercial general liability and workers' compensation insurance, provide manufacturer-backed workmanship warranties, and handle municipal building inspections.
Need an In-Depth Cost Analysis?
Explore our comprehensive cost guide for complete material comparisons, contractor negotiation tips, and local permit advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Siding Replacement Cost Calculator
What is the average cost to replace siding on a 2,000 sq ft home? ↓
A turnkey siding replacement for a typical 2-story 2,000 sq ft exterior wall area averages $17,940 ($8.97/sq ft) for standard vinyl with old siding tear-off, Tyvek housewrap, two-story scaffolding staging, and permits. Upgrading to James Hardie fiber cement averages $23,000 to $27,000 ($11.50–$13.50/sq ft).
How do vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood siding compare? ↓
Standard vinyl ($2.20/sqft material, $6.50/sqft base installed) is the most economical, virtually maintenance-free option. Insulated vinyl ($3.40/sqft material) adds R-2 to R-3 thermal continuous insulation. James Hardie fiber cement ($4.80/sqft material, $11.50/sqft installed) offers authentic cedar texture, Class A fire rating, and superior storm impact resistance.
Is removing old siding necessary before installing new siding? ↓
While vinyl can occasionally be installed over flat, sound existing siding with fanfold foam, complete tear-off ($1.25/sq ft) is strongly recommended. Stripping old siding allows carpentry crews to inspect structural sheathing for hidden water rot, insect damage, and install a continuous weather-resistant barrier (Tyvek).
Why does a two-story home cost more to re-side? ↓
Two-story elevations require pump-jack scaffolding, aluminum walk planks, safety harnesses, and ladder jacks (+15% labor surcharge) to comply with OSHA fall-protection regulations, along with slower panel hoisting speeds.
Do I need a building permit to replace exterior siding? ↓
Yes, almost all US municipalities require a residential building alteration permit ($150–$350) for exterior envelope replacement to verify weather-resistant barrier overlap, flashings around fenestrations, and fire-rated exterior wall assemblies.