Siding Replacement Cost Guide 2026
6 min read · Last updated July 20, 2026
- Installed siding runs roughly $4 to $20 per square foot in 2026, and material choice drives most of the spread: vinyl at the low end, cedar and brick veneer at the top.
- A typical 1,800 to 2,000 square foot home costs about $8,000 to $30,000 to re-side, depending on material and how much old siding and rot must be removed.
- On homes built before 1978, EPA Lead-Safe certified crews and lead-safe removal can add several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- Fiber cement costs 40 to 70 percent more than vinyl up front but lasts 30-plus years, which often makes it cheaper per year of service.
In this article
– What siding replacement costs in 2026 – What drives the price up or down – How to read and compare siding quotes – Your estimate may vary – FAQ
The Nguyen family in Raleigh got three bids to re-side their 1,900-square-foot two-story: $9,800 for vinyl, $16,400 for fiber cement, and $28,500 for cedar. Same house, same crew availability, a $18,700 spread driven almost entirely by the material on the wall. Siding is one of the few home projects where the product you pick, not the labor, decides the bill.
Siding is sold and installed by the “square,” a trade unit equal to 100 square feet of wall. A two-story home usually has more wall than its floor plan suggests, which is why square footage on the quote is often larger than the size of the house.
What siding replacement costs in 2026
The table below shows typical installed cost per square foot by material, including tear-off of the old siding and standard labor. Higher grades, decorative profiles, and complex walls push toward the top of each range.
| Material | Typical installed cost per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $4 to $12 | Lowest cost, low maintenance, most common choice |
| Aluminum / metal | $5 to $12 | Durable, dent-prone, good in coastal and fire zones |
| Engineered wood | $5 to $13 | Wood look, lighter and cheaper to install than fiber cement |
| Fiber cement | $6 to $15 | 30-plus year lifespan, fire and pest resistant |
| Stucco | $7 to $14 | Labor-intensive, common in the Southwest |
| Natural wood / cedar | $8 to $20 | Premium look, needs regular sealing and repainting |
| Brick or stone veneer | $10 to $25 | Highest cost, longest life, heaviest labor |
For a whole-house project, that translates to roughly $8,000 to $30,000 on a typical 1,800 to 2,000 square foot home, with vinyl at the bottom and cedar, stucco, or veneer at the top. Vinyl remains the most-installed exterior on new and existing homes, according to U.S. Census Bureau construction characteristics data, which is part of why it sets the low end of the market.
What drives the price up or down
Two identical-looking houses can land thousands apart. These are the factors that move the number.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Home size and number of stories | More wall and more staging equipment raise both material and labor |
| Material grade and profile | Insulated vinyl, thick fiber cement, and decorative shakes cost more than flat lap |
| Old siding removal and disposal | Tear-off and dump fees add $1 to $3 per square foot; siding over old siding is cheaper but not always wise |
| Wall repair and rot | Rotted sheathing or house wrap found after tear-off adds unplanned cost |
| Trim, fascia, and soffit | Wrapping trim and corners in matching material adds to the bid |
| Lead-safe work (pre-1978 homes) | EPA Lead-Safe certified removal adds several hundred to a few thousand dollars |
| Region and labor market | High-cost metros and coastal areas run above the national range |
That pre-1978 line matters more than most homeowners expect. Disturbing old paint releases lead dust, so the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule requires the crew to be Lead-Safe certified and to follow containment procedures. Ask for the certification number, and treat a contractor who has never heard of the rule as a decline.
How to read and compare siding quotes
Get at least three written, line-item estimates, and make sure all three quote the same material and the same square footage. A quote that looks cheap is often measuring less wall or skipping tear-off. Confirm each bid spells out removal and disposal, house wrap or moisture barrier, trim and flashing, and cleanup.
Ask what happens if the crew finds rot behind the old siding, and get the change-order price in writing before work starts. That single question separates a fixed-scope quote from one that balloons on day three. Verify the license and a current certificate of insurance the same way you would for any exterior contractor. Our guide on how to read a contractor quote walks through the same line-item discipline for roofing, and the same rules apply to walls.
Your estimate may vary
National ranges are a starting point, not a quote. Home size, material grade, local labor rates, and how much old siding must come off all move the final number. A 1,900 square foot home in the Southeast often runs 10 to 15 percent below the national average, while the same job in the Northeast or a high-cost coastal metro can run 15 to 25 percent above it.
A note on doing it yourself: patching a cracked vinyl panel is a reasonable weekend job, but a full re-side is not. It involves tear-off, moisture barrier, flashing, and disposal, and a gap in the water barrier shows up as rot years later. For anything beyond a small repair, hire a pro. When you are ready, compare quotes from installers who work with your chosen material. See our Hire a Siding Installer guide for the vetting steps.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to re-side a whole house? For a typical 1,800 to 2,000 square foot home, expect roughly $8,000 to $30,000 installed in 2026. Vinyl sits at the low end and cedar, stucco, or brick veneer at the top. Material choice and how much old siding must be removed drive most of the difference.
What is the cheapest siding that still holds up? Vinyl is the lowest-cost option and performs well for most climates, running about $4 to $12 per square foot installed. Insulated vinyl costs more but improves energy efficiency. Engineered wood is a step up in look and durability without the price of fiber cement.
Can I install new siding over old siding? Sometimes, and it saves on tear-off, but it can hide rot and moisture problems and add weight the wall was not designed for. Most reputable installers recommend removing the old siding so they can inspect and repair the sheathing underneath. Ask each bidder which approach they quoted.
Why do siding quotes vary so much? Different bids often assume different materials, different square footage, or different scope on trim and tear-off. Line the quotes up item by item and confirm they are pricing the same job before you compare the totals.
Does new siding need a permit? Many jurisdictions require a permit for a full siding replacement, especially when sheathing or insulation is involved. A licensed contractor pulls it under their license. If a contractor tells you to pull the permit yourself, treat it as a warning sign.
Ready to compare local siding installation quotes? Find a vetted siding installer near you via Thumbtack and get free quotes from background-checked pros.
