Tyvek house wrap typically costs about $0.10-$0.30 per square foot for material alone, or roughly $0.25-$0.80 per square foot installed. Roll size, product type, wall access, tear-off, and local labor rates account for most differences in a quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyvek material | $0.10/sq ft | $0.18/sq ft | $0.30/sq ft | Standard residential products; specialty versions may cost more |
| Installation labor | $0.15/sq ft | $0.35/sq ft | $0.60/sq ft | Varies with wall height, openings, and prep |
| Installed house wrap | $0.25/sq ft | $0.50/sq ft | $0.80/sq ft | Typical accessible walls, excluding major repairs |
| 1,500 sq ft wall area | $375 | $750 | $1,200 | Approximate installed totals |
What Tyvek Costs on a Typical Exterior Wall
For a straightforward new-build project, standard Tyvek material generally runs $0.10-$0.30 per square foot before waste. Installation commonly adds $0.15-$0.60 per square foot, putting a basic installed job around $0.25-$0.80 per square foot. A 1,500-square-foot wall area therefore lands near $375-$1,200, with about $750 as a practical midpoint.
These estimates assume standard residential wrap, normal access, and no extensive sheathing repairs. Wall area means the surface being wrapped, not the home’s floor area. Contractors often add 5%-10% for overlaps, cuts, and waste; windows and doors reduce net coverage but require extra detailing.
Assumptions: U.S. residential project, standard Tyvek house wrap, ordinary access, and no unusual code or moisture-control work.
How Wrap, Tape, Labor, and Removal Shape the Quote
A contractor’s price may combine materials, fastening and seam work, setup, and disposal. Ask whether the estimate includes flashing tape, cap fasteners, trim details, old-wrap removal, and wall repairs. Those items can be billed separately or included in a per-square-foot rate.
| Quote item | Typical price | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyvek wrap | $0.10-$0.30 | Per sq ft | Product grade and roll pricing |
| Seam and flashing tape | $0.03-$0.12 | Per sq ft of wall | Openings and required detailing |
| Fasteners and small supplies | $0.02-$0.06 | Per sq ft | Substrate and fastening method |
| Installation labor | $0.15-$0.60 | Per sq ft | Access, layout, and crew rate |
| Removal and disposal | $0.10-$0.40 | Per sq ft | Existing material and debris volume |
Labor and removal can matter as much as the wrap itself. For hourly estimates, a two-person crew working 8-12 hours at combined rates of $75-$140 per hour would charge roughly $600-$1,680 for labor.
Why Wall Height, Openings, and Product Grade Change Price
Wall geometry is a major cost driver. A simple one-story rectangle with few openings is faster to wrap than a two-story exterior with gables, corners, and many windows. Above roughly 10-12 feet, ladders or scaffolding may slow production; difficult access can add $0.10-$0.30 per square foot or more.
Window and door detailing also affects labor. Each opening needs careful cuts and integration with flashing, and 15 or more openings on a modest house can push labor toward the upper end of the range. A specialty or higher-performance wrap may cost $0.20-$0.45 per square foot for material, compared with common standard products.
Measure the actual wall surface and count openings before comparing bids. Damaged sheathing, irregular framing, or a requirement for additional drainage details can create separate charges, so the quote should identify these conditions instead of hiding them in a broad allowance.
Where to Trim a Tyvek Installation Estimate
Cost control starts with a clearly defined scope: square footage, product name, tape, fasteners, removal, disposal, and repair allowances. Comparing at least three itemized bids helps reveal whether one price excludes details included in another. Similar product specifications matter; a cheaper substitute may not provide the same installation instructions or performance characteristics.
Choose standard wrap when the wall assembly does not require a specialty product. Scheduling the wrap with siding or other exterior work may reduce mobilization charges, while clearing shrubs and stored items can improve access. Avoid paying for removal if existing wrap is sound and the project scope allows it to remain; have the contractor confirm compatibility and local requirements first.
Buying rolls directly can appear cheaper, but confirm roll coverage, overlap, waste, delivery, and return policies. A material-only price is not comparable to a contractor’s installed rate. Do not skip tape or flashing details simply to reduce the quote; poorly integrated openings can create moisture problems and costly repairs.
How Regional Labor Rates Affect Installed Tyvek Pricing
Material prices are relatively consistent nationally, but shipping and retailer availability can shift them. Labor usually creates the larger regional difference. High-cost metro markets may run 15%-30% above a national midpoint, while rural areas with lower overhead may come in 5%-15% below it. Remote locations can reverse that advantage if crews travel far or materials require special delivery.
Use local bids to set the budget rather than treating a national average as a fixed price. In a higher-cost market, an accessible project may approach $0.60-$1.00 per square foot installed; in a lower-cost market, similar basic work may be closer to $0.22-$0.65. These ranges assume standard materials and exclude extensive sheathing repair.
Local weather and construction schedules can affect contractor availability. A siding-season rush may raise labor charges, while coordinating work during a less crowded period can improve scheduling options. The price difference is not guaranteed, so compare written scopes and start dates.
What Three House-Wrap Quotes Might Include
For 1,000 square feet of easy-to-reach wall, a material-only purchase could total about $100-$300 for standard wrap, before tape, delivery, or waste. A contractor’s labor-and-material quote for the same uncomplicated area might fall around $250-$800. If old wrap must be stripped, repairs and disposal could lift the total to $350-$1,200.
| Example | Scope | Estimated total | Implied rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic new construction | 1,000 sq ft, two-person crew, 6-8 hours | $300-$650 | $0.30-$0.65/sq ft |
| Typical siding preparation | 1,500 sq ft, openings, tape, 10-14 hours | $700-$1,350 | $0.47-$0.90/sq ft |
| Re-wrap with tear-off | 1,500 sq ft, removal, disposal, minor prep | $900-$1,800 | $0.60-$1.20/sq ft |
These examples are budgeting scenarios, not guaranteed local bids. The implied rates rise with labor hours, access difficulty, and removal; they assume no major framing or sheathing replacement.
When Removal, Repairs, or Siding Work Add Charges
Replacing old house wrap requires more than installing a new layer. Contractors may charge $0.10-$0.40 per square foot to remove and dispose of existing material, with higher costs if it is brittle, trapped behind trim, or mixed with other debris. Minor substrate preparation may add $0.05-$0.25 per square foot; replacing damaged sheathing is usually priced separately by panel or labor hours.
Request separate prices for wrap, tear-off, disposal, and repairs. Coordinating the job with siding replacement can limit repeated setup, but siding removal and reinstallation are separate major expenses. Confirm who handles flashing around windows and doors, and whether the bid includes protection of exposed walls if weather delays the siding work.