Timber shiplap cladding typically costs $7-$20 per sq. ft. installed in the U.S., with an average near $12 per sq. ft. for straightforward exterior walls. Wood species, wall preparation, trim, finish, access, and local labor rates can move a quote substantially; material alone often runs $2-$12 per sq. ft.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed shiplap cladding | $7 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | $20 per sq. ft. | Standard exterior project, excluding major repairs |
| Cladding material | $2 per sq. ft. | $5 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Species, grade, profile, and finish affect price |
| Labor | $4 per sq. ft. | $7 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Higher for complex walls or difficult access |
| 1,000 sq. ft. installed | $7,000 | $12,000 | $20,000 | Wall area, not floor area |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for exterior walls, standard horizontal installation, ordinary access, and no extensive rot or structural repairs.
What 1,000 Square Feet of Shiplap Usually Costs
For a contractor-installed exterior project, a practical budget is $7-$20 per sq. ft., or $7,000-$20,000 for 1,000 sq. ft. of net wall surface. Many uncomplicated jobs using common pine or cedar fall around $10-$14 per sq. ft., putting the same project near $10,000-$14,000.
Measure the walls being clad, not the home’s interior floor area. A house with 1,000 sq. ft. of floor space may have considerably more than 1,000 sq. ft. of exterior wall, especially with multiple stories, gables, and projections. Contractors generally subtract large doors and windows but allow for cut waste, often 5%-15% depending on layout and board length.
Prices assume shiplap boards installed over a suitable weather-resistive barrier and sound sheathing. They may not include new insulation, extensive flashing, replacement sheathing, scaffolding, painting, or repairs behind existing siding. Material-only estimates commonly range from $2-$12 per sq. ft.; specialty hardwoods or factory-finished boards can exceed that range.
How Boards, Labor, and Trim Shape the Quote
A written estimate should distinguish board supply from installation and list the smaller items that make the assembly weather-resistant. The figures below are typical planning ranges per square foot of cladding area; some contractors combine several items into a single rate.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber boards | $2 per sq. ft. | $5 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Species, grade, thickness, finish |
| Installation labor | $4 per sq. ft. | $7 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Wall height, cuts, layout, crew rates |
| Membrane and battens | $0.75 per sq. ft. | $1.75 per sq. ft. | $3 per sq. ft. | Drainage design and existing wall condition |
| Trim and corner boards | $3 per linear ft. | $7 per linear ft. | $14 per linear ft. | Material, width, window and corner count |
| Removal and disposal | $1 per sq. ft. | $2.50 per sq. ft. | $5 per sq. ft. | Old siding type, layers, disposal access |
| Finish application | $1 per sq. ft. | $2.50 per sq. ft. | $5 per sq. ft. | Coat count, product, onsite preparation |
Ask whether the quoted board price includes waste, delivery, fasteners, and finish. A low board rate can omit these items, while a higher installed price may include them. A useful labor estimate check is ; many siding crews charge an equivalent of $50-$100 per worker-hour, though quotes are often priced by area.
Trim can be priced by linear foot or as a lump sum. Window and door openings need careful flashing and cut work, so their presence may increase labor even though they reduce the net wall area. Estimates should also clarify whether the contractor is responsible for caulking, drip edges, and transitions to roofs or masonry.
Which Wood Species and Board Specs Raise Material Prices
Common pine is usually the lower-cost choice at roughly $2-$6 per sq. ft. for boards, depending on grade, treatment, and finish. Cedar often costs $4-$10 per sq. ft.; it is widely used outdoors, but quality and clear-grain selection can raise the price. Durable hardwoods and specialty profiles may reach $8-$18 or more per sq. ft. before installation.
Species is only one part of the material specification. Ask for the board’s actual thickness, face width, grade, moisture condition, and intended exterior use. Wider boards cover more area per piece but can be more prone to movement if poorly dried or installed. A premium grade with fewer knots may be worth the additional cost where appearance is prominent, but is not always necessary on secondary elevations.
Board profile also matters. A standard shiplap joint usually costs less than custom-milled or unusually deep profiles. Boards sold unfinished may have a lower purchase price but require onsite primer, stain, or paint; factory-applied finishes raise upfront material cost while potentially reducing installation time. Compare prices on a coverage-area basis, since nominal board dimensions do not equal the exposed face after overlap.
When Wall Height and Repairs Increase Installation Labor
Installing shiplap on a single-story, rectangular wall may take a small crew several days, while a multi-story home with dormers, many openings, or irregular corners can take one to two weeks. A typical labor component is $4-$12 per sq. ft. A local crew’s hourly equivalent may be around $50-$100 per worker, with additional charges for specialty access equipment or extra setup.
Walls above 10-12 feet often cost more because safe access and staging take longer. Scaffolding, steep terrain, landscaping, and limited space for material storage can add roughly $500-$3,000 or more to a residential job, depending on duration and rental needs. These expenses should appear separately or be explained within the labor rate.
Hidden damage is another common source of change orders. Removing old siding may reveal soft sheathing, failed flashing, or water intrusion. Replacing isolated sheathing can add about $2-$6 per sq. ft. of affected area, while framing or moisture repairs are priced by scope. Request a process for documenting concealed damage and approving extra work before it begins.
Why Shiplap Quotes Differ Across U.S. Regions
Local wages, contractor availability, shipping distance, and climate-related installation details all influence the estimate. Compared with a national baseline, labor-heavy markets in the Northeast, West Coast, and major cities may run about 10%-25% higher. Rural markets can be 5%-15% lower for labor, though remote delivery or limited crew availability can erase that difference.
Regional differences are most visible in labor and logistics, not just the board price. Cedar may be more readily available in parts of the West, while buyers elsewhere may pay more to transport it. In cold, wet, or coastal locations, the specified water barrier, corrosion-resistant fasteners, flashing, and finish can add cost but are important to long-term performance.
Use the national ranges as a starting point rather than a local guarantee. Compare at least three detailed bids from contractors serving the same area, and check whether each includes the same wood species, net wall area, board finish, removal, and trim. A lower regional quote may reflect a different scope rather than a more efficient crew.
Three Example Quotes for Different Exterior Projects
The following examples show how scope affects installed pricing. They use typical U.S. planning rates and are not substitutes for a site-specific estimate. Wall areas are net of large openings; small cut waste is included in the material allowance.
| Project and specification | Material estimate | Labor and related work | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 sq. ft. single-story wall, pine, basic trim | $2,100-$3,600 at $3.50-$6 per sq. ft. | $3,000-$4,800, about 60-80 crew-hours | $5,500-$9,500 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. house exterior, cedar, standard removal | $5,000-$8,000 at $5-$8 per sq. ft. | $6,000-$10,000, about 120-160 crew-hours | $12,000-$20,000 |
| 1,200 sq. ft. two-story project, premium finished boards | $9,600-$15,600 at $8-$13 per sq. ft. | $9,000-$15,000, including access and detailed trim | $20,000-$34,000 |
The second example is close to a common midrange full-home quote. Its estimated total works out to $12-$20 per sq. ft. and includes removal, but not major sheathing repairs. Labor hours vary with crew size and productive time; a larger crew can shorten the calendar schedule without necessarily reducing the total labor charge.
What Removal, Finishing, and Site Work Add
Old siding removal generally adds $1-$5 per sq. ft., including disposal where debris handling is straightforward. Multiple siding layers, heavy materials, or difficult access can push it higher. Haul-away may be a separate fee, often $300-$1,000 for a typical project, depending on volume and local disposal charges.
Factory-finished boards can cost more upfront but may avoid a separate onsite coating charge. Onsite painting or staining commonly adds $1-$5 per sq. ft., depending on surface preparation, number of coats, and whether boards are finished before or after installation. Exposed end cuts may need sealing regardless of the chosen finish.
Other possible charges include delivery, custom color matching, replacement of damaged trim, and flashing around windows or roof edges. Delivery may be $100-$500 or more for a regional order; distant or small-load deliveries can cost extra. Permits are not usually the main expense for siding alone, but local rules may apply when exterior work changes fire resistance, insulation, or historic appearance.
How to Lower the Timber Shiplap Cladding Price
Keep the design straightforward where possible. A consistent board width, standard profile, and simple horizontal layout reduce custom milling and cut labor. Ordering enough material in one delivery can avoid repeated transport fees, but excessive over-ordering can leave costly surplus; ask the contractor to show the planned waste allowance, typically 5%-15%.
Compare complete scopes rather than choosing the smallest total. Request itemized prices for boards, labor, trim, removal, disposal, membrane, finish, and repairs. Confirm the quoted species and grade, installed coverage area, fastener type, and warranty. A bid that excludes flashing or finish may appear cheaper but leave necessary work unbudgeted.
Save on material by choosing a sound, standard-grade wood appropriate to the exposure instead of specifying clear premium boards across every wall. If existing siding is sound and the wall assembly allows it, leaving it in place may avoid removal costs, but the installer must verify a flat, secure substrate and correct moisture management. Do not skip a weather barrier, flashing, or required ventilation to reduce the quote; correcting water damage can cost far more than installing those details correctly.