Vinyl siding replacement costs $6 to $12 per square foot installed, while fiber cement siding averages $14,884 for a typical home, according to Angi 2026 cost data. For a 1,500 square foot home (roughly 1,200 to 1,400 square feet of siding area), vinyl replacement typically runs $7,200 to $16,800 and fiber cement runs $12,000 to $22,000 or more. Material choice, home size, number of stories, and whether old siding is removed all affect the final number.
Average Cost to Replace Siding on a House
The most useful way to budget siding replacement is per square foot of siding area, which is typically 60 to 80 percent of the home's total floor area for a single-story home and higher for two-story homes with more exterior wall surface.
| Siding Material | Installed Cost Per Sq Ft | Typical Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl (standard) | $6 - $12 (est.) | 20 - 40 years | Low |
| Vinyl (insulated) | $8 - $16 (est.) | 20 - 40 years | Low |
| Fiber cement (HardiePlank) | $10 - $20 (est.) | 30 - 50 years | Low - Medium |
| Engineered wood | $8 - $16 (est.) | 25 - 40 years | Low - Medium |
| Wood clapboard | $12 - $25 (est.) | 20 - 40+ years (with care) | High |
| Stucco | $8 - $14 (est.) | 50+ years | Low - Medium |
| Natural stone veneer | $25 - $50 (est.) | 50+ years | Low |
Installed cost estimates from Angi 2026 cost data and ThisOldHouse cost reporting. Per-square-foot costs apply to siding area, not home floor area.
Vinyl dominates new siding installations in the US because it is the lowest-cost installed option, requires no painting, and is available in a wide range of colors and profiles. Fiber cement has gained significant market share because it outperforms vinyl in durability, fire resistance, and impact resistance, and its higher upfront cost is partially offset by its longer lifespan.
Cost to Install Vinyl Siding Per Square Foot
Standard vinyl siding installation runs $6 to $12 per square foot installed, per Angi 2026 cost data. Insulated vinyl - panels with a foam backing that improves the wall's R-value - runs $8 to $16 per square foot. For a 1,200 square foot siding area, standard vinyl installation totals roughly $7,200 to $14,400; insulated vinyl runs $9,600 to $19,200.
Vinyl siding is sold in grades, typically measured by panel thickness (in thousandths of an inch, abbreviated "thou"). Standard residential vinyl is typically 040 thou; upgrade grades range from 044 thou to 055 thou for heavy-duty panels. Thicker panels are more rigid, resist wind damage better, and look more substantial on the wall. The price difference between grades is modest ($0.50 to $1.50 per square foot for material), but the quality difference in appearance and performance is significant. Ask your contractor to specify the thickness in the written quote.
Get the Siding Thickness in Writing
Two vinyl siding quotes at similar prices may specify different panel thicknesses - one at 040 thou and one at 046 thou. The thicker panel resists denting, wind-driven impacts, and UV fading better over the life of the installation. The few hundred dollars in material cost difference on a typical home project is not worth skimping on. Confirm thickness and color retention warranty terms in writing before signing.
Fiber Cement Siding Cost: Materials and Labor
Fiber cement siding (HardiePlank and equivalent products from other manufacturers) costs $10 to $20 per square foot installed, per Angi 2026 cost data. Angi reports an average total project cost of $14,884 for a standard residential installation.
The higher cost reflects both higher material cost and higher labor cost compared to vinyl. Fiber cement panels are heavier and harder to cut than vinyl, requiring more installer labor hours and specialized cutting tools. Two installers working with fiber cement produce roughly 200 to 300 square feet per day compared to 400 to 500 square feet per day for vinyl.
Fiber cement requires painting on installation (primed panels must be field-painted within a set timeframe per manufacturer requirements). Many installations use pre-painted panels that arrive from the factory with a baked-on finish, which costs more per panel but eliminates the field-painting step and typically carries a longer color warranty (15 years for factory finish versus 5 to 10 years for field-applied paint).
Siding Replacement Cost by Home Size
The table below shows estimated total project cost for full siding replacement (including removal of old siding) at different home sizes.
| Home Size | Approx. Siding Area | Vinyl (Standard) | Fiber Cement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 1,000 sq ft floor) | 800 - 1,000 sq ft siding | $4,800 - $12,000 (est.) | $8,000 - $20,000 (est.) |
| Medium (1,000 - 1,800 sq ft) | 1,100 - 1,600 sq ft siding | $6,600 - $19,200 (est.) | $11,000 - $32,000 (est.) |
| Large (1,800 - 2,800 sq ft) | 1,500 - 2,400 sq ft siding | $9,000 - $28,800 (est.) | $15,000 - $48,000 (est.) |
| Two-story (2,000 - 3,000 sq ft) | 1,800 - 3,000 sq ft siding | $10,800 - $36,000 (est.) | $18,000 - $60,000 (est.) |
Estimates based on $6-$12/sq ft for standard vinyl and $10-$20/sq ft for fiber cement per Angi 2026 cost data. Includes old siding removal at $1-$3/sq ft added to installed cost. Two-story homes have higher siding-to-floor-area ratios.
Cost to Remove Old Siding Before Installation
Old siding removal and disposal is typically quoted as a separate line item at $1 to $3 per square foot of siding area, per HomeGuide cost data. For a 1,200 square foot siding area, that adds $1,200 to $3,600 to the project.
Removal is strongly recommended even when installation-over-existing siding is technically possible. Removing old siding allows the contractor to inspect and replace damaged house wrap, address any underlying rot or water damage, and ensure the new siding has a flat, clean surface to attach to. Hidden rot discovered during removal is one of the most common sources of project cost overruns; budget a 10 to 15 percent contingency on any siding project in a home more than 20 years old.
Vinyl vs Fiber Cement: Which Is the Better Value?
The lower upfront cost of vinyl is offset over the long term by its shorter lifespan and, in some climates, by its susceptibility to UV fading, cracking in extreme cold, and denting. Fiber cement's higher upfront cost amortizes favorably over its 30-to-50-year life. The Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value report shows fiber cement siding replacement recouping approximately 88 percent of cost at resale - a stronger return than most interior remodeling projects.
How to Hire a Siding Contractor: License, Insurance, and Questions
Siding installation is a licensed trade in some states and not others. Regardless of licensing requirements in your area, any siding contractor you hire should carry general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence) and workers compensation. A siding crew working on ladders and scaffolding creates real injury risk; workers compensation ensures you are not liable for medical bills if a worker is injured on your property.
Verify insurance directly with a certificate of insurance before signing any contract. For the full verification process, see How to Vet a Contractor's License and Insurance.
Get at least three written, itemized quotes. Ask each bidder to specify: removal cost, house wrap brand and type, siding material brand and product line, panel thickness or grade, trim and window flashing approach, paint plan (if fiber cement), and workmanship warranty duration.
For what a complete contractor contract should contain, see How to Read a Contractor Contract. For the broader quote-comparison process, see How to Get Accurate Contractor Quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does siding installation take on a typical home?
A two-to-three-person siding crew can install vinyl siding on a typical 1,500 to 2,000 square foot single-story home in three to five days under normal conditions. Two-story homes, homes with complex trim details, and fiber cement installations (which require cutting with specialized blades and generating more dust) typically take five to eight days or more. Siding cannot be installed in sustained rain, which can add days to the schedule in wet seasons.
Does new siding require a permit?
Full siding replacement - removing old siding down to the sheathing and installing new - often requires a building permit in many jurisdictions because it involves the building envelope. Siding installed over existing siding (without removal) may not require a permit, but check with your local building department. The contractor should pull the permit; verify who is responsible and whether the fee is included in your quote.
Can new siding be installed over old siding?
Vinyl siding can physically be installed over existing wood or vinyl siding in many cases. The practical concerns are: adding material thickness can cause problems at windows and doors; any moisture or rot underneath the old siding is sealed in and continues to worsen; and the wavy or irregular surface of old siding can telegraph through the new installation. Most siding contractors recommend full removal unless the existing siding is in sound, flat condition.
What is the most durable low-maintenance siding material?
Fiber cement siding (most commonly HardiePlank) consistently receives high marks from both homeowners and inspectors for durability and low maintenance. It resists rot, insects, fire, and impact better than vinyl or wood. It requires repainting every 10 to 15 years but does not warp, fade, or become brittle with age as vinyl can. Engineered wood siding offers a similar profile at a somewhat lower cost but with slightly less moisture resistance.
Does siding replacement add resale value?
Fiber cement siding replacement produces an average resale value return of approximately 88 percent of project cost, making it one of the stronger ROI home improvement projects, per the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value report. Vinyl siding replacement returns approximately 80 to 85 percent. Replacing deteriorated or outdated siding is consistently cited by real estate professionals as one of the highest-impact curb appeal improvements before a home sale.
What should a siding quote include?
A complete siding quote should itemize: existing siding removal and disposal; house wrap or moisture barrier installation; trim board replacement or repair; siding material brand, product line, and color; labor for installation and all finish work around windows and doors; and caulking. Quotes that list only a per-square-foot installed price without these line items make scope comparison across bids unreliable.