Cedar siding typically costs about $4-$12 per linear foot installed when boards have a 6-inch exposure; wider or premium profiles can cost more. The price depends on board style, wood grade, tear-off needs, wall access, finish, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-inch-exposure cedar boards, installed | $4 per linear ft | $7 per linear ft | $12 per linear ft | Standard lap boards; installed rate varies by wood grade and labor |
| Cedar material only | $2 per linear ft | $4 per linear ft | $8 per linear ft | About 6-inch exposure; specialty profiles may exceed this range |
| Installed cedar siding by wall area | $8 per sq ft | $13 per sq ft | $22 per sq ft | Includes typical materials and installation, before major repairs |
| 1,500 sq ft of siding area | $12,000 | $19,500 | $33,000 | Excludes unusual access, extensive sheathing work, and premium finishes |
What cedar siding costs per linear foot at 6-inch exposure
For standard cedar lap siding with a 6-inch exposed face, a practical installed budget is $4-$12 per linear foot. That equals about $8-$24 per square foot of finished wall coverage, although many standard projects fall closer to $8-$18 per square foot. The upper end is more likely with clear-grade cedar, custom profiles, complex walls, or higher-cost markets.
For a basic estimate, budget about $7 per linear foot for ordinary 6-inch-exposure boards and installation. This assumes a straightforward exterior with normal access, standard house wrap or flashing work, and no major rot replacement. A contractor may quote by the square foot rather than the linear foot, so the quote should identify the exposed board face used for conversion.
Linear-foot pricing is not interchangeable across siding widths. A board with 4 inches exposed covers one-third of a square foot per linear foot; 6 inches covers one-half square foot; and 8 inches covers two-thirds of a square foot. Wider exposure covers more wall per board, so the cost per linear foot rises even when the cost per square foot stays similar.
Assumptions: 6-inch exposed face, typical U.S. labor rates, standard cedar lap profile, normal access, and no extensive substrate repairs.
How cedar board material and installation appear on a quote
A siding estimate may combine materials and labor into one installed rate, but separating the items makes it easier to compare bids. Material prices vary with cedar grade, board thickness, profile, and supplier. Labor includes layout, cutting, fastening, flashing details, and trim fitting; complex corners and openings take longer than uninterrupted walls.
| Quote component | Typical price | Basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar siding boards | $2-$8 | Per linear ft at 6-inch exposure | Grade, profile, thickness, and supplier |
| Installation labor | $3-$8 | Per linear ft at 6-inch exposure | Wall height, cuts, corners, and crew rates |
| Weather barrier and flashing | $0.50-$2 | Per sq ft of wall | Existing condition and required detailing |
| Trim and accessories | $2-$8 | Per linear ft of trim | Corner boards, window trim, and fascia details |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$4 | Per sq ft of old siding | Material type, layers, and disposal fees |
Materials and labor together commonly account for most of the installed price, while trim, removal, and wall preparation can add a substantial separate amount. Confirm whether the quote includes house wrap, flashing, fasteners, caulking, primer, paint or stain, and disposal. These may appear as allowances or exclusions rather than included work.
For labor estimating, a crew may price the job by square foot, by day, or as a fixed project charge. A rough labor calculation is . When an hourly rate is supplied, $50-$100 per worker-hour is a useful broad budgeting range, but installed bids usually package labor with overhead and project risk.
Why board exposure, cedar grade, and profile change the price
Exposure is the first conversion to check. Divide the exposed width in inches by 12 to find square feet covered by each linear foot. At $13 per square foot installed, a 4-inch exposure works out to about $4.33 per linear foot, a 6-inch exposure to $6.50, and an 8-inch exposure to about $8.67, before rounding and project-specific adjustments.
Compare bids using both the exposed width and the installed price per square foot, not just the linear-foot figure. A low per-foot number may simply reflect a narrower board that covers less wall. For lap siding, the overlap is not part of the exposed face, so the seller’s nominal board width can differ from the coverage width used for pricing.
Cedar grade also matters. Knotty grades generally cost less and show more natural variation, while clear or select grades have fewer visible knots and a more uniform appearance. Material-only pricing can range from roughly $2-$5 per linear foot for common grades at 6-inch exposure to $5-$10 or more for premium boards and specialty profiles. Regional availability can push these ranges higher.
Profile changes labor as well as material expense. Beveled lap siding is a common baseline; shiplap, tongue-and-groove, board-and-batten, and shingle-style installations require different coverage calculations and detailing. Shingles or shakes are typically priced per square foot or per roofing square, not by a simple linear-foot rate. Request a coverage statement before comparing a per-unit quote for those styles.
Installed cedar prices compared with fiber cement and vinyl
Cedar costs more to buy and maintain than many factory-finished alternatives, but offers a natural wood appearance. Installed cedar often falls around $8-$22 per square foot, while vinyl siding commonly ranges from $4-$12 per square foot installed and fiber cement from about $6-$15. These are broad U.S. ranges; product quality, trim, tear-off, and wall repairs can alter the comparison.
Compare the full installed scope and expected upkeep rather than selecting by siding price alone. Vinyl often has lower initial material and labor costs, while fiber cement can require more cutting and handling. Cedar may need periodic staining or painting, and unfinished cedar exposed to weather can gray or deteriorate without appropriate maintenance.
For a 1,500-square-foot siding area, those broad ranges suggest roughly $12,000-$33,000 for cedar, $6,000-$18,000 for vinyl, and $9,000-$22,500 for fiber cement. A project with extensive trim, multiple stories, or old siding removal can exceed these amounts. Make sure each comparison includes the same wall area, trim scope, water-resistive barrier, and disposal work.
How regional labor rates shift cedar siding estimates
Labor markets and cedar supply create meaningful regional differences. A straightforward project in a lower-cost rural market may land near the lower half of the installed range, while dense urban areas or regions with limited siding crews may run 15%-30% above a typical national estimate. Coastal or mountain locations can also carry higher delivery and access charges.
Local quotes are more reliable than a national per-foot average because labor, freight, and cedar availability vary widely. In the Pacific Northwest, cedar may be easier to source, but higher local wages can offset some material savings. In parts of the Midwest or South, a specific grade or profile may require longer-distance delivery, adding cost even where labor is less expensive.
Request at least three written bids from contractors familiar with wood siding in the area. Ask each bidder to state the measured siding area, board exposure, grade, finish, labor scope, and any travel or delivery fees. A 15% price gap can reflect different assumptions rather than a contractor’s markup alone.
How many labor hours cedar siding installation can take
For a simple one-story home with roughly 1,500 square feet of siding area, a small experienced crew may need about 5-10 working days, depending on crew size, weather, openings, and trim detail. Two-story homes, detailed gables, many windows, and uneven walls can extend the schedule. Tear-off and sheathing repairs add time beyond the siding installation itself.
Labor is most predictable when the wall layout is simple and the substrate is sound. A crew may move quickly across broad, unobstructed walls but slow down around corners, window returns, roof intersections, and utility penetrations. Narrow board exposure creates more courses and fastening, while a larger exposed face can reduce the number of rows but may cost more per board.
Ask whether the labor price includes setup, ladder or scaffold use, caulking, trim work, cleanup, and weather protection. A low bid that excludes these tasks can become more expensive through change orders. Some contractors also have minimum project charges, so a small repair may cost more per linear foot than a full exterior installation.
Removal, trim, and repairs that add to a cedar siding bill
Replacing existing siding often adds $1-$4 per square foot for removal and disposal, with higher charges for multiple layers, difficult access, or materials requiring special handling. If the sheathing is damaged, replacement commonly adds about $2-$6 per square foot of affected area for materials and labor, depending on the repair and local rates.
Budget separately for hidden damage because it cannot always be priced accurately before the old siding comes off. A contractor can describe a unit rate for replacing sheathing, house wrap, or framing so the homeowner knows how changes will be billed. Ask for photos and approval before work expands beyond the original scope.
Trim is another frequent source of variation. New corner boards, window and door trim, fascia transitions, and water-table details may add several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the home’s perimeter and design. Pre-finishing or factory-applied coatings can increase the material price but may reduce on-site painting time and improve consistency.
Delivery, scaffolding, and finish work should also be checked. Long-distance freight for specialty cedar can add $200-$1,000 or more on a project, while difficult multi-story access may add 10%-25% to labor. Painting or staining after installation may cost roughly $1-$4 per square foot, depending on preparation, number of coats, and whether the surface needs primer.
Which cedar siding choices can reduce the installed price
Keeping the existing siding in place is not always appropriate, but avoiding unnecessary tear-off can save removal and disposal charges if the wall assembly, moisture protection, and local code allow an overlay. A contractor should inspect the existing surface and confirm that added thickness will not interfere with windows, trim, drainage, or ventilation details.
The most controllable savings usually come from choosing a standard profile, limiting trim changes, and defining repairs before work begins. Common knotty cedar and readily stocked board sizes generally cost less than clear grades and custom-milled profiles. A simpler layout with fewer accent bands and fewer transitions can also reduce labor without changing the entire material choice.
Compare bids with matching specifications rather than choosing the lowest total. Ask for separate prices for cedar boards, labor, removal, trim, finish, and sheathing repairs. If the estimate is per linear foot, verify the exposed width and convert it to square-foot coverage. This prevents a narrow board quote from appearing cheaper when it covers less wall.
Scheduling during a contractor’s less busy period may improve availability, though weather and regional demand affect timing. Avoid rushing into a full replacement when isolated boards or trim can be repaired safely; conversely, patching widespread rot can create repeat labor costs. A written inspection and repair scope helps distinguish necessary work from optional upgrades.