Beveled cedar siding typically costs $8-$18 per sq. ft. installed, or about $16,000-$36,000 for 2,000 sq. ft. of siding area. The final price depends on cedar grade and thickness, wall shape, labor rates, old siding removal, and whether the home needs new weather barriers or trim.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed beveled cedar siding | $8 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | $18 per sq. ft. | Standard profile, materials and installation |
| Cedar siding material | $3 per sq. ft. | $5.50 per sq. ft. | $9 per sq. ft. | Grade, thickness, species, and finish affect price |
| Installation labor | $4 per sq. ft. | $6 per sq. ft. | $9 per sq. ft. | Higher for complex walls or difficult access |
| 2,000 sq. ft. project | $16,000 | $24,000 | $36,000 | Before unusual repairs or premium upgrades |
What beveled cedar siding costs on a typical home
For a straightforward installation over a prepared exterior, homeowners commonly pay $8-$18 per sq. ft. for beveled cedar siding, also called bevel or clapboard siding. A practical planning figure is around $12 per sq. ft. installed. The range generally includes cedar boards, standard fastening, and installation, but not extensive sheathing repairs, painting, or major demolition.
A 1,500-sq.-ft. siding area may cost $12,000-$27,000 installed; a 2,500-sq.-ft. area may run $20,000-$45,000. These totals use exterior siding area, not the home’s interior floor area. A two-story house with many windows, gables, and corners can take more labor than a simple one-story home with the same wall coverage.
Material-only estimates often fall around $3-$9 per sq. ft. for common cedar boards. Contractor-installed prices rise because they include layout, cutting, fastening, flashing details, job setup, and business overhead. Estimates may quote siding by the square, meaning 100 sq. ft.; at $8-$18 per sq. ft., that equals $800-$1,800 per square installed.
Assumptions: U.S. national planning ranges, standard beveled boards, ordinary wall access, and no major structural repairs. Local estimates vary.
How cedar boards, labor, and removal shape the quote
Contractors may group expenses differently, so a written estimate should identify what the installed rate includes. The ranges below describe typical contributions to a standard project, rather than charges that always appear separately.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar boards | $3-$9 per sq. ft. | Grade, thickness, species, profile, and finish |
| Installation labor | $4-$9 per sq. ft. | Wall layout, height, corners, and crew access |
| Old siding removal | $1-$4 per sq. ft. | Number of layers, material type, and disposal |
| Weather barrier and flashing | $0.50-$2 per sq. ft. | Existing condition and water-management details |
| Trim and accessories | $2-$8 per linear ft. | Corner boards, window trim, and finish choices |
| Equipment and disposal | $300-$1,500 per project | Scaffolding, hauling distance, and debris volume |
Removal and replacement of hidden components can add several thousand dollars. Some bids include ordinary setup and waste handling in the per-square-foot rate, while others list them as allowances. Ask whether the quote covers house wrap, flashing, starter strips, corner boards, caulking, and cleanup before comparing totals.
Labor can be estimated as . For example, a crew totaling 80-140 labor hours at an effective $50-$85 per hour produces roughly $4,000-$11,900 in labor. Contractors usually price the whole scope rather than expose this calculation, but the formula helps explain why detailed walls and slow access increase the estimate.
Board exposure, cedar grade, and wall details that raise prices
Beveled siding is installed in overlapping courses, and the exposed face affects how much board covers a wall. A narrower exposure uses more courses and more material per finished square foot. A common exposure around 4-6 inches may fit standard budgets; reducing exposure to 3-4 inches can increase board use and installation time, while wider exposure near 7-8 inches may reduce course count if the product and design allow it.
Grade and thickness can shift the material bill by roughly $2-$5 per sq. ft. Knotty cedar is generally less expensive than clear, appearance-focused grades. Thicker boards and selected clear stock cost more and may require careful sourcing. Prices also vary by cedar species, moisture condition, mill profile, and whether boards arrive unfinished, factory primed, or prefinished.
Wall shape matters as much as area. A plain wall with few openings allows repetitive installation; many windows, doors, gables, and outside corners require more measuring and cuts. A steep roofline or work above 20 feet may require additional staging or scaffold time. Rot discovered beneath old siding is another uncertainty: replacing limited sheathing may add $2-$6 per sq. ft. of affected area, while framing repairs require a site-specific quote.
Board width and lap dimensions should be specified in the estimate. The contractor should also state whether the price is based on net wall area or includes a waste allowance. A 10%-15% material allowance is common for cutting and defects, but complex elevations may need more. Assumptions: Typical exposure and wall framing; premium grades and custom profiles can exceed the stated ranges.
Cut the cedar siding bill by controlling scope and finish choices
Keep the estimate focused on necessary work. If existing siding is sound, flat, and compatible with the planned assembly, ask whether installation over it is allowed and appropriate under local code and manufacturer guidance. Avoiding removal can save about $1-$4 per sq. ft., but covering damaged boards, trapping moisture, or ignoring window-flashing problems can create costly repairs.
Compare bids with identical board grade, exposure, removal, trim, and finish specifications. A low total may exclude house wrap, disposal, painting, or repairs. Request separate prices for the siding work and optional upgrades so the difference is visible. Check whether each contractor has included enough material for waste and whether taxes or permit charges are excluded.
Choose a practical cedar grade and standard profile where appearance requirements permit. Factory-finished boards cost more initially, but they can reduce field painting time; unfinished boards may be less costly to buy but require proper coating and labor. Compare complete installed and finished prices rather than material prices alone. Keep decorative trim limited to areas where it materially changes the look.
Prepare the site by clearing plants, grills, and stored items near the walls. Ensure contractors can reach the work area and discuss scheduling before ordering custom profiles. Combining siding with planned exterior trim work may reduce repeated setup charges, but bundling unrelated jobs does not guarantee savings. Do not cut costs by omitting flashing, drainage details, or compatible exterior coatings.
Regional cedar siding rates from coastal cities to rural markets
Labor and delivery can move an estimate substantially even when the siding product is the same. As a broad comparison, dense coastal and high-cost metropolitan markets may run 10%-25% above a national planning price. Lower-cost rural markets may fall 5%-15% below it, though long delivery routes or limited contractor availability can erase that difference.
On a $24,000 midrange project, a 15% regional premium adds about $3,600. This is a budgeting illustration, not a fixed local adjustment. Areas with strict exterior codes, older housing, high scaffolding costs, or strong demand for experienced cedar installers can price above surrounding markets.
Request at least three local written bids for the same scope. A regional quote should identify sales tax where applicable, delivery, disposal, and any permit allowance. Cedar availability and freight are especially relevant when a contractor specifies a less common species or mill profile. Compare the delivered material grade and board dimensions, not just the brand or product name.
How long cedar siding installation takes and what labor covers
A typical crew of three or four may need about 5-10 working days for a 1,500-2,500-sq.-ft. siding area when access is normal and the wall substrate is in good condition. Removal, repairs, intricate trim, weather delays, and painting can extend the schedule. Labor rates often translate to roughly $50-$85 per worker-hour when business costs are included, though bids are commonly based on the job.
Installation time rises when the crew must cut around numerous openings or work from scaffold. A single-story, rectangular home can be faster than a two-story house with dormers and projecting bays. Work may also be paused to protect exposed walls from rain or to allow coatings to dry. Ask whether the schedule includes old siding removal, installation of the weather barrier, cleanup, and finish work.
Before signing, clarify who is responsible for moving exterior fixtures, disconnecting downspouts, and reinstalling lights or shutters. Electrical work may require a licensed trade and a separate charge. A contractor should explain how the crew will protect windows, landscaping, and roof edges during removal and installation.
Removal, painting, and repair charges beyond the board price
Several common extras can raise the total. Removing one layer of wood siding may add $1-$4 per sq. ft.; difficult disposal, multiple layers, or special handling can cost more. House wrap and flashing work may add $0.50-$2 per sq. ft. where replacement is needed. Replacing damaged sheathing commonly costs $2-$6 per sq. ft. of affected area, excluding more extensive framing work.
Painting or staining can add about $1.50-$4 per sq. ft. of wall area. The price depends on whether boards are primed, how many coats are required, surface preparation, and access. Factory-finished cedar may carry a higher purchase price but can reduce on-site finishing labor. Confirm whether end cuts receive treatment, since cut edges can need additional protection.
Trim is often quoted by the linear foot, with standard cedar corner and window trim around $2-$8 per linear ft. installed, depending on dimensions and detailing. Scaffolding, lifts, and hauling may appear as a $300-$1,500 project charge or be built into labor. A permit is not universally required for siding replacement; local rules may require one when the project changes wall assembly, affects historic exteriors, or includes structural work.
Ask the estimator to describe how hidden damage will be priced. A written unit rate for sheathing or trim replacement can make change orders easier to evaluate. Typical extra-work allowances vary by location and should be confirmed in the contractor’s quote.
Three beveled cedar siding estimates for different wall scopes
The examples below use approximate installed pricing and show how scope changes the total. They are comparison scenarios, not guaranteed bids. Wall area is measured over the exterior rather than inferred from the home’s floor area.
| Project scenario | Scope and rate | Estimated total | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, simple ranch | 1,200 sq. ft. at $9-$12 per sq. ft. | $10,800-$14,400 | Standard knotty cedar, prepared walls, basic trim |
| Two-story replacement | 2,000 sq. ft. at $12-$16 per sq. ft. | $24,000-$32,000 | Removal, typical access, midgrade boards, ordinary disposal |
| Detailed premium exterior | 2,400 sq. ft. at $16-$22 per sq. ft. | $38,400-$52,800 | Clear cedar, complex walls, upgraded trim, finish work |
The same siding area can differ by more than $20,000 when grade, access, and finishing change. For a labor illustration, a two-story replacement might involve a four-person crew over 7-10 working days, or roughly 224-320 crew-hours. At an effective $50-$85 per worker-hour, labor value could fall around $11,200-$27,200, although contractor production rates and bundled pricing affect the actual bid.
The small ranch estimate assumes little demolition and minimal waste. The replacement example includes ordinary removal but not widespread rot. The premium example includes more costly cedar and added detail; it should not be treated as a required standard for durable siding. Ask contractors to list exclusions and allowances beside the total so the three prices can be compared on equal terms.