Siding Estimating Guide
Exterior siding installation and replacement estimating for residential projects.
Overview
Siding estimates are based on the total exterior wall area in square feet, minus window and door openings. Material choice — vinyl, fiber cement, engineered wood, or natural wood — is the largest cost driver. Labor costs increase with story height, complex trim details, and the need to remove existing siding. Most siding jobs also include house wrap, trim, and soffit and fascia work.
Common Projects
- →Full house re-side with vinyl siding
- →Fiber cement (James Hardie) siding installation
- →Engineered wood siding (LP SmartSide) installation
- →Soffit, fascia, and trim replacement
- →Partial siding repair and matching
Pricing Factors
- ✓Total siding area in square feet (minus openings)
- ✓Siding material type and profile
- ✓Number of stories and scaffold requirements
- ✓Existing siding removal and disposal
- ✓Trim, corner, and J-channel requirements
- ✓House wrap and weather barrier installation
Materials List
- •Siding panels or planks (vinyl, fiber cement, or wood)
- •House wrap (Tyvek, ZIP system, or equivalent)
- •J-channel, starter strip, and utility trim
- •Corner posts and window/door trim
- •Soffit and fascia panels
- •Aluminum or PVC trim coil for wrapping
- •Stainless steel or galvanized nails
- •Caulk and sealant
Estimating Tips
- ★Measure each wall face separately and subtract window and door areas — do not rely on blueprint square footage for exterior measurements.
- ★Add 10% waste for siding on standard rectangular homes and 15% for homes with many gables and angles.
- ★Include scaffold rental costs for two-story and taller homes — plan $500-$1,500 for scaffold setup and rental.
- ★Price trim work separately from field siding — trim is more labor-intensive and often requires different materials.
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Common questions about siding estimating
Installed siding costs vary significantly by material: vinyl siding runs $4-$8 per square foot, fiber cement (James Hardie) runs $8-$14 per square foot, and engineered wood (LP SmartSide) runs $7-$12 per square foot. These prices include materials, labor, and basic trim but not tear-off of existing siding.
Yes, always include house wrap or a weather-resistive barrier in your siding estimate unless the existing barrier is verified to be in good condition. House wrap costs $0.50-$1.00 per square foot installed and is a code requirement in most jurisdictions for new siding installations.
Siding tear-off costs $1.00-$2.50 per square foot for vinyl or aluminum and $2.00-$4.00 per square foot for wood or stucco removal. Include one 20-yard dumpster per 1,500-2,000 square feet of siding removed at $400-$600 per pull. Inspect for and budget for potential rot or sheathing damage underneath — plan on replacing 5-10% of sheathing on older homes and include this as an allowance in your estimate.