How Much Does Siding Cost?
Independent research · Last updated September 2026 · Costs are 2026 planning estimates, not quotes
The short answer
Siding a house costs about $4 to $28 per square foot installed depending on material — roughly $6,000 to $32,000 for an average home. Vinyl is the cheapest mainstream option; engineered wood and fiber cement sit in the middle; wood and masonry are the most expensive.
Siding cost by material
Installed cost is material plus labor. Tap any material for its full breakdown and pros and cons.
| Material | Installed / sq ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $4–$12 | 20–40 yrs |
| Wood / Cedar | $5–$15 | 20–40 yrs |
| Fiber Cement | $6–$14 | 30–50 yrs |
| Metal / Steel | $7–$16 | 40–60 yrs |
| Stucco | $7–$12 | 50–80 yrs |
| LP SmartSide | $8–$15.5 | 20–30 yrs |
| Brick | $9–$28 | 75–100 yrs |
| Stone Veneer | $13–$25 | 75–100 yrs |
Price your own home by material, area, and region.
Siding installation cost: material vs labor
The siding installation cost a contractor quotes is material plus labor, trim, and accessories. The panels or boards are often the smaller share — for vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood, labor and accessories usually make up about half to two-thirds of the installed price. Contractors price by the square (100 sq ft of wall), so the per-square column is what you'll usually see on a bid.
| Material | Material only / sq ft | Installed / sq ft | Installed / square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $2–$7 | $4–$12 | $400–$1,200 |
| Wood / Cedar | $5–$11 | $5–$15 | $500–$1,500 |
| Fiber Cement | $2.5–$5 | $6–$14 | $600–$1,400 |
| Metal / Steel | $4–$16 | $7–$16 | $700–$1,600 |
| Stucco | $2–$4 | $7–$12 | $700–$1,200 |
| LP SmartSide | $2–$5 | $8–$15.5 | $800–$1,550 |
| Brick | $6–$15 | $9–$28 | $900–$2,800 |
| Stone Veneer | $6–$12 | $13–$25 | $1,300–$2,500 |
What pushes labor up: a second or third story (staging and ladder work), many corners, windows, and doors to trim around, tear-off and disposal of the old siding, rotted sheathing found once it's off, and heavy materials like fiber cement that cut slowly and need more hands. Labor is also the most regional part of the price, which is why the cost calculator adjusts by region. If you're replacing existing siding rather than siding new walls, see the siding replacement cost guide for tear-off and hidden-damage costs.
Total cost by home size
| 1,000 sq ft (small / single-story) | $4,000 – $16,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft (average single-story) | $6,000 – $24,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft (two-story) | $8,000 – $32,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft (large) | $12,000 – $48,000+ |
Ranges span budget vinyl to premium fiber cement; your material choice sets where you land.
What moves the number
- Material — by far the biggest factor; the range spans 7×.
- Home size & stories — more wall area, staging, and access cost.
- Tear-off & hidden repairs — removing old siding (~$1–$2/sq ft) and fixing rotted sheathing.
- Trim, corners, and windows — complexity raises labor hours.
- Region — labor rates vary widely by market.
Where quotes hide the money
A common industry tactic is to lowball the siding and mark up the accessories — trim, corners, and fasteners. Always insist that a quote itemizes field siding and trim separately, and that tear-off and any sheathing repair are spelled out. Then check it against typical ranges.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
- How much is labor for installing siding?
- Usually about half to two-thirds of the installed price for vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood — the material is only part of it. Stories, corners, windows, tear-off, and region move it most. Planning ranges, not quotes.
- What is the siding installation cost per square?
- A square is 100 sq ft of wall, so $4–$28/sq ft installed is about $400–$2,800 per square by material.
- How much does it cost to side a house?
- About $4–$28/sq ft installed by material — roughly $6,000–$32,000 for an average home. Vinyl is cheapest; masonry priciest.
- What is the cheapest siding option?
- Vinyl — $4–$12/sq ft installed, and it never needs repainting.
- What drives up the cost of siding?
- Material, home size and stories, tear-off, hidden repairs, trim complexity, and regional labor rates.
Cost figures are independent 2026 planning estimates and vary by home, material, region, and installer.