The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

On average, installing siding on a house costs $12 per square foot. For those choosing the most budget-friendly options, that cost may be reduced to $2 per square foot. More expensive materials can be priced at up to $50 per square foot. Common siding types include brick, wood, fiber cement, metal, vinyl and stone.

NOTE: The beginning half of 2021 has seen an unprecedented labor shortage as a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with this, demand for materials and construction jobs has skyrocketed. As a result, material prices may be higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both labor and materials. 

When purchasing exterior siding for a house, you can determine the amount of material to order by calculating the square footage of its exterior. The larger the house is, the more expensive exterior siding will be. For an average 1,500-square-foot home, the cost of wood exterior siding, the cheapest siding material on the market, would cost you about $3,000.

But there are some unexpected additional costs to take into consideration: The shape of your house may influence the cost of exterior siding. Some siding materials, like vinyl, come in sheets of a specified length. That means cuts or other customizations may be needed depending on the profile of your home. The cost will increase as more customizations are needed.

Cost may also increase if you need to remove and replace the existing siding on your home, which would require extra labor costs. You can determine whether your current siding should be replaced by considering its age and wear. Be sure your siding doesn’t simply need a good cleaning before you fully replace it. You may only need to replace some areas, which would allow you to cut costs.

Using your home's equity is an easy way to fund your new sidings!

Get prequalified in minutes by clicking on your state.

While the cost of siding material varies from seller to seller, their relative costs typically fall in line no matter where you shop: Wood tends to be the cheapest siding material, then vinyl, metal, fiber cement, brick and stone.

Each of these materials comes with its own set of hidden costs. Wood, for example, is a very cheap siding option. However, it does require regular maintenance, which ups its cost in the long run. More expensive materials, like brick and fiber cement, require little upkeep. Durability should certainly be taken into consideration when purchasing siding.

The ease of installation is also an important factor as labor costs can hit your wallet hard unexpectedly. Vinyl is typically the easiest and quickest material to install on a home’s exterior,  while brick and stone installation is more labor-intensive. But no matter which siding material you choose, the cost of the actual material, not installation labor, should be where you spend the bulk of your money.

The cost to have siding installed largely depends on the type and amount of labor required by your contractor. Labor costs are different for each siding type, but in general, stone and brick siding cost the most to install. Vinyl siding is relatively easy to install, which keeps labor costs down. The labor cost of other siding materials falls somewhere in between.

Labor costs will vary depending on the size and shape of your house. Vinyl siding installation on a 2,000-square-foot house with a plain, rectangular shape and no eaves or turrets will run you about $10,000. If your house does have bends and curves, budget an extra $500. The exact price of customizations will differ, so ask your contractor for specifics.

Contractors who know how to install exterior home siding may charge either hourly or per project. Depending on the material you are having installed, one option may be cheaper overall. When more labor is required, like in stone siding installation, homeowners should choose a contractor who charges per project. And when less labor is required, like in vinyl installation, homeowners should pay an hourly rate.

Paying a contractor hourly for a labor-intensive project may hit your wallet harder than paying a flat fee when all is said and done. There could be unexpected hitches in the project that would require them to work longer hours, using their finesse to ensure your siding looks great. But for materials that don’t require a lot of handiwork, paying hourly is optimal. Likely, the project won’t take that long, and it may even take less time than they originally estimated.

In addition to the size of your home, material type, and installation, many additional factors could affect your siding costs.

Due to the rising cost of shipping materials and varying labor costs across the country, the location of your home can determine if the siding cost will be more or less than average.

The design of your home is also a factor when considering the cost of new siding. Is your home one story or two? Is it a standard box shape or has unique gables? More complex home designs require more siding, and the installation and material costs go up.

When installing new siding to your home, it’s essential to consider your current siding. If it needs to be removed before installing new siding, this can be an additional cost. If your home is on the older side, you must be wary of any signs of rotten wood, termite damage or uneven walls that could cause concern and additional costs before installing new siding.

Seasonality also affects siding installation labor costs. In spring and early summer, the peak season for outdoor labor, costs may be relatively high due to demand. Conversely, prices may decrease in the winter months, though the weather may impede working conditions.

Having siding installed in winter may be cheaper, but it can be more difficult if you live in a cold-weather climate. Materials like vinyl will contract when cold in the winter and expand when the temperatures are higher, so it’s imperative to find a contractor who understands how to work around this issue.

Some siding materials may also crack or otherwise deteriorate in low temperatures. They may require special care during winter installation, which is important to keep in mind. If you have siding installed in the winter, be sure your contractor is experienced.

There are many siding types on the market, but only one is the right match for you and your needs—whether that’s vinyl, wood, metal, brick, stone, or fiber cement. Talk to your contractor or a nearby siding expert to learn about next steps. They will be able to provide you with specific pricing for your area and offer advice as needed.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Siding Contractors

Depending on age and wear, you may decide to fully replace your home’s exterior siding or simply replace certain sections. The more material you replace, the higher the cost will be. Be sure your siding doesn’t just need a good cleaning before you pay to replace it.

Only experienced DIYers with the right tools should undertake a project involving replacing or installing new siding. Those who install siding will need the necessary skills to work around corners, windows and the like, as well as knowledge of when siding needs to be replaced. If you are a DIY-enthusiast who is new to exterior siding, consider hiring a professional and working with them to get the job done.

There are many types of exterior siding but the most common options are vinyl, real wood, fiber cement, engineered wood, stucco and brick.

Your home’s siding material in addition to the type of paint you choose will determine the overall price. Costs typically range from $2,500 to $7,000.

Replacing siding can be fairly affordable, costing around $12 per square foot. If you the extremely cost-efficient route, it’s possible to find replacement siding for as low as $2 per square foot.

Lauren is an accomplished freelance writer who covers a variety of topics, including home improvement, sustainability and more. Her background in news reporting allows her to look at topics from all angles and break things down into digestible content that’s useful to every reader. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Lauren thinking up her next DIY project or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her pup.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.