Brick vs cement board siding cost usually ranges from $6 to $25 per square foot installed, depending on whether the brick is veneer or full-depth masonry. For a home with 2,000 square feet of exterior wall area, cement board commonly costs $12,000-$26,000, while brick veneer often costs $20,000-$50,000; labor, tear-off, wall preparation, and local rates drive the difference.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement board siding installed | $12,000 | $18,000 | $26,000 | 2,000 sq. ft.; $6-$13 per sq. ft. |
| Brick veneer installed | $20,000 | $34,000 | $50,000 | 2,000 sq. ft.; $10-$25 per sq. ft. |
| Full-depth brick masonry | $30,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 | 2,000 sq. ft.; structural work may apply |
Assumptions: Typical U.S. pricing, standard access, and sound wall framing; excludes major structural repairs.
Installed prices for brick veneer and cement board
Cement board generally costs less upfront, while brick veneer adds a substantial masonry labor and material charge. The ranges above assume cement board planks or panels and thin brick or conventional brick veneer, not a structural brick wall. Actual billable area can be lower than a home’s floor area because siding covers exterior walls, not interior space.
Cement board installed pricing commonly falls around $6-$13 per square foot. Basic lap siding on a straightforward, single-story wall tends toward the lower end; premium textures, complex trim, and two-story access raise the rate. Brick veneer often runs $10-$25 per square foot installed, with the upper end more likely when the design needs detailed corners, lintels, or extensive cutting.
What masonry and fiber cement quotes include
Quotes may treat demolition, flashing, trim, and waste differently, so compare the listed scope rather than the bottom line alone. A typical labor rate is $45-$85 per hour for siding crews and $60-$110 per hour for masons, though contractors usually bid the complete project.
| Cost component | Cement board range | Brick veneer range | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2-$6 per sq. ft. | $4-$12 per sq. ft. | Brand, color, grade, and profile |
| Installation labor | $3-$7 per sq. ft. | $5-$13 per sq. ft. | Cutting, layout, crew skill, access |
| Underlayment and flashing | $0.50-$2 per sq. ft. | $1-$4 per sq. ft. | Drainage plane and opening details |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$4 per sq. ft. | $2-$6 per sq. ft. | Existing siding type and landfill fees |
| Trim and accessories | $2-$8 per linear ft. | $5-$20 per linear ft. | Window surrounds, corners, and sills |
Labor estimate: crew hours multiplied by the applicable hourly rate; many bids instead combine labor and materials into a per-square-foot price.
Wall area, brick type, and access change the estimate
Wall complexity and the choice between veneer and structural brick can move a quote by tens of thousands of dollars. Measuring the actual exterior wall area is essential: a 1,500-square-foot siding job at $8 per square foot is $12,000 before extras, while 2,500 square feet at the same rate is $20,000.
Brick veneer adds less weight than a full masonry wall but still requires suitable support, flashing, and drainage details. Full-depth brick may need a foundation ledge or structural changes. Cement board costs rise when walls require extensive furring, sheathing repair, or moisture-barrier upgrades; fixing isolated damage is different from rebuilding large sections.
Height and shape matter, too. A one-story rectangle is usually less labor-intensive than a two-story home with gables, dormers, and many openings. If the wall exceeds roughly 10-12 feet or has difficult access, scaffolding and slower handling can add hundreds or thousands of dollars. Assumptions: Standard residential wall conditions; unusually complex elevations require a site-specific quote.
Regional labor rates for brick and cement board
Labor-heavy brick veneer is especially sensitive to local mason availability. In high-cost metro areas in the Northeast, West Coast, and parts of the Mountain West, installed bids may run 15%-30% above a typical national estimate. Competitive markets in parts of the Midwest and South may come in 5%-15% below, although storm-code requirements, transportation, and local material supply can change that pattern.
For a 2,000-square-foot wall area, a $34,000 average brick veneer quote could become roughly $39,000-$44,000 in a market priced 15%-30% higher. A $18,000 cement board project could reach about $20,700-$23,400 at the same premium. Use local bids for a reliable comparison because national averages cannot account for crew supply or site access.
Removal, scaffolding, and trim can add thousands
Replacing existing siding can add $1-$6 per square foot for removal and disposal, depending on material layers and hauling distance. Asbestos-containing siding requires qualified assessment and handling, which can raise the expense considerably. Scaffolding, lift rental, or tight property access may also appear as separate charges rather than being included in the base installation rate.
Trim is another frequent difference between estimates. Cement board projects may need replacement corner boards, window trim, and caulking, while brick veneer quotes can include special lintels, sills, and flashing around openings. Ask whether the quote covers those details, disposal, and cleanup. A low base price is not comparable if it excludes necessary water-management work.
Maintenance and repainting affect long-term value
Cement board can need repainting roughly every 10-15 years, depending on paint quality, exposure, and upkeep. Repainting siding can cost about $2-$5 per square foot of painted surface, with prep or repairs adding to the bill. Brick veneer typically does not need routine painting, but mortar joints may need repointing over time; localized repointing often costs $5-$15 per square foot of affected masonry.
Both choices need periodic inspection around windows, doors, and roof intersections. Cement board’s lower starting price can be offset partly by future paint expenses, while brick’s higher installation cost may be balanced by less frequent surface finishing. Compare expected upkeep over the ownership period rather than treating installation price as the only expense.
Three project quotes show the price gap
A 1,500-square-foot, single-story home with basic cement board lap siding might be quoted at $9,000-$19,500, or $6-$13 per square foot. A 2,000-square-foot home with standard brick veneer could cost $20,000-$50,000, or $10-$25 per square foot. A 2,500-square-foot, two-story home with premium cement board, extensive trim, and difficult access might reach $25,000-$35,000, or $10-$14 per square foot.
These examples assume ordinary framing and no major sheathing replacement. One contractor may quote a higher rate but include tear-off and trim; another may exclude both. Compare the same measured wall area, material grade, removal scope, flashing, trim, and cleanup before selecting a bid.
Reduce the siding bill without cutting weather protection
Keep the project within the required wall area, retain sound trim where appropriate, and avoid decorative upgrades that do not improve durability. Choose standard cement board profiles or common brick colors when appearance requirements allow. Schedule quotes before peak demand, and ask whether combining siding work with related exterior repairs reduces mobilization charges.
Obtain at least three itemized bids and verify that each includes moisture barriers, flashing, fasteners, disposal, and finish work. Do not save money by omitting water-management details or installing heavy veneer without confirming adequate support. Scope control and apples-to-apples bids are safer savings than skipping preparation or protective components.