The cost to Hardiplank a house is typically $10,000-$40,000, with many standard projects landing near $22,000. The final price depends on exterior wall area, siding style, tear-off needs, trim details, labor rates, and repairs to the wall beneath the old siding.
Installed estimates generally run $7-$16 per sq. ft. of siding coverage. This is wall area, not the home’s interior floor area; windows and doors reduce coverage, while gables and complex layouts can add labor.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank installed | $10,000 | $22,000 | $40,000 | About 1,400-2,500 sq. ft. of exterior wall |
| Installed rate | $7 per sq. ft. | $10-$12 per sq. ft. | $16 per sq. ft. | Material and installation; scope varies |
| Siding material only | $2.50 per sq. ft. | $4-$6 per sq. ft. | $8 per sq. ft. | Product, finish, and local availability affect price |
| Old siding removal | $1 per sq. ft. | $2 per sq. ft. | $4 per sq. ft. | May include disposal charges |
What HardiePlank costs on a typical house
A straightforward installation of factory-primed lap siding usually costs $7-$12 per sq. ft. installed. A standard home with 1,800 sq. ft. of siding coverage may therefore cost about $12,600-$21,600 before extensive repairs or upgrades. Larger homes, premium finishes, and detailed trim can push the price higher.
A practical budget for a typical house is $18,000-$28,000 when removal, standard trim, and routine site cleanup are included. Smaller, simple homes may come in below that range, while large or architecturally complex exteriors can exceed $40,000.
Assumptions: U.S. contractor installation, standard lap siding, ordinary access, and no major sheathing damage.
How boards, trim, and labor shape the quote
Quotes should separate siding, installation, and related work so the scope is clear. Installed rates vary because contractors may include different amounts of trim, flashing, removal, and finishing. The table shows common planning ranges; local bids may bundle these charges rather than list them separately.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank boards | $2.50-$8 | Primed or prefinished product, profile, and grade | Per sq. ft. |
| Installation labor | $3-$8 | Wall height, cuts, layout, and crew experience | Per sq. ft. |
| Trim and corner boards | $6-$15 | Window surrounds, corners, and decorative detail | Per linear ft. |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$4 | Existing material, layers, and disposal location | Per sq. ft. |
| Weather barrier or flashing | $0.50-$2.50 | Existing condition and required replacement | Per sq. ft. |
Labor and trim often account for a large share of the total, not just the visible siding boards. A labor estimate can be checked with ; crew rates commonly work out to roughly $50-$100 per worker-hour, although bids are often priced by the project.
Wall area and board finish can shift the total
Accurate wall measurements matter more than the home’s listed floor area. A 2,000-sq.-ft. one-story house may have less siding coverage than a similarly sized two-story home with dormers, gables, and many corners. Each extra cut or transition adds installation time.
Factory-finished boards generally cost more than primed boards but can reduce on-site painting. Depending on product and labor, prefinished siding may add about $1-$3 per sq. ft. to the installed price. Higher walls requiring staging, or steep access around landscaping, may add 10%-25% to labor.
Measure exterior wall coverage and list finish, trim, and height assumptions before comparing per-square-foot quotes. Projects above 2,500 sq. ft. of siding or with multiple stories commonly need a separate allowance for access and detailing.
How long installation takes and what labor includes
A typical crew of three or four may need 5-10 working days for a straightforward house, including removal and installation. The schedule can extend when the crew replaces sheathing, works around masonry, or paints primed boards after installation. Weather and contractor availability also affect completion time.
Labor usually covers layout, fastening, cuts, and ordinary installation cleanup. It may not include major framing repairs, extensive caulking, painting, or moving exterior fixtures. Confirm the number of workdays and exactly which tasks are included in the labor price.
Why regional HardiePlank prices differ
Labor markets, shipping distance, contractor demand, and local building practices create meaningful regional differences. Compared with a broad national planning estimate, metropolitan areas with high wages may run 10%-25% higher. Rural areas can be 5%-15% lower, but limited contractor availability or long delivery distances can erase the savings.
In wetter or coastal locations, bids may include more flashing, moisture-management work, or corrosion-resistant fasteners. These are scope differences rather than a fixed regional surcharge. Compare local quotes with matching product, removal, trim, and repair allowances.
Removal, painting, and repairs that add to the bill
Removing old siding can add $1-$4 per sq. ft., with layered materials or difficult disposal at the upper end. Replacing damaged sheathing may cost about $2-$5 per sq. ft. of affected area, while new exterior trim can add $6-$15 per linear ft. Painting primed siding may add approximately $1.50-$4 per sq. ft., depending on preparation and number of coats.
Permits are not required everywhere for a like-for-like siding replacement, but local rules differ. Fees, if applicable, may be around $100-$500, and code-required weatherproofing or wall upgrades can add more. Ask the contractor to identify allowances and price repairs separately rather than burying them in a lump sum.
HardiePlank compared with vinyl and wood siding
Vinyl siding commonly costs about $4-$12 per sq. ft. installed, often less than fiber cement. Engineered wood may run roughly $6-$13 per sq. ft., while natural wood can cost $8-$18 or more, depending on species and finish. These ranges vary by region and do not always include the same trim or removal work.
HardiePlank is heavier than vinyl and usually requires careful cutting and fastening, so installation is not a direct DIY substitute. Repairing only damaged boards may be more economical than replacing an entire exterior when the remaining siding is sound and compatible replacement pieces are available.
Ways to lower a HardiePlank installation quote
Keep the layout simple where possible, choose a standard lap profile, and compare primed boards with factory-finished options using the full painting cost. If existing siding can remain and local rules allow it, ask whether installation over it is appropriate; hidden damage and moisture concerns may make removal necessary.
Get at least three itemized bids based on the same measured wall area and product specification. Schedule outside peak demand when contractors have availability, and group trim or related exterior work only when it avoids duplicate setup charges. Do not cut costs by skipping flashing, manufacturer-required clearances, or repairs to wet or damaged wall surfaces.