The Average Cost of New Siding and other Home Exteriors

Hiring a contractor to install new siding is a large project that can have a bill ranging from $1,500 to $15,000. This huge price range depends largely on the building’s size and your choice of material. Typically, a contractor must come out to your home to give you a customized quote, but you can get an idea of the siding installation cost by looking at an average size home of about 2,200 square feet.

Vinyl Siding
For every square foot of wall surface, vinyl siding costs between $2 and $3. For example, 1,000 square feet would require $2,000 to $3,000 worth of materials. Labor costs are typically based on the region and union laws. In general, you need to add between $50 and $150 per hour for labor. Your contractor usually quotes a flat labor amount, but this can increase if issues arise during installation.

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Aluminum
Stronger than vinyl, but prone to dents, aluminum is slightly more expensive. At $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot, a 2,000 square foot area costs between $5,000 and $7,000 to cover.

It is critical to note that labor and material charges grow substantially bigger when the surface area increases. Installing siding on a small guest house, for example, is significantly cheaper compared to an installation on your main home.

Wood
Natural or engineered wood gives a traditional feel to the home, but you must choose the wood type carefully. Find engineered or treated wood that has specialized coatings to resist decay and insect damage. For a basic wood installation, each square foot costs $5 to $7.50. Typically in square or rectangular shingle shapes, this siding choice is more labor intensive. Because each shingle must be attached separately, the contractor may charge more per hour or increase the amount of hours for the job. Check all the paperwork before you sign a contract with a company to ensure that labor costs have a reasonable cap.

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Fiber Cement
If you want a wood appearance without the maintenance, look for fiber cement siding. Available in a rainbow of colors, this siding has a wood grain and remains resilient against weathering and insect damage. For a 3,000 square foot wall surface, expect to pay between $13,500 and $27,000 for materials alone. Labor may be more negotiable for this siding because of its easier installation pattern.

Stucco
Stucco is a plaster mixture that must be applied to the building’s outside surface. This unique siding lasts for many years with barely any maintenance, but it costs between $4 and $10 for each square foot, not including labor. Although a 2,200 square foot surface ranges between $8,800 and $22,000 for stucco materials, it may be the last siding you ever purchase.

Unexpected Expenses
Other expenses surprise you as the contractor begins the job. If you have not removed the old siding, for example, an extra $1,000 to $3,000 is added to the quoted installation amount. Requesting insulated siding costs significantly more, depending on the insulation and siding type.

Once removed, the contractor may find poor structural wood on your home, such as supportive beams damaged from termites. This wood must be replaced. The contractor could be liable for faulty siding installation if the wood fails under the new material. You must calculate new wood supports and the labor involved to fully complete your siding project.

Asking for more men on the job to finish the installation faster only increases your labor amount because the contractor must pay more per hour to his workers. Any increase in labor and materials will be presented to you. No work can be completed without your approval on all changes.

Adding new siding to your home increases the value significantly, but you must pay for the upfront costs to receive the eventual benefits. Talk to several contractors to get separate quotes for comparison. Choose a reliable contractor that will transform your home’s exterior.