Vertical siding costs about $5-$16 per square foot installed, with many standard projects averaging $8-$11 per square foot. Material, wall preparation, trim details, removal of old siding, and regional labor rates drive the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed vertical siding | $5/sq ft | $9/sq ft | $16/sq ft | Material and installation |
| Materials only | $2/sq ft | $5/sq ft | $10/sq ft | Varies by siding type |
| 1,500 sq ft of siding | $7,500 | $13,500 | $24,000 | Before major repairs or upgrades |
| Old siding removal | $1/sq ft | $2/sq ft | $4/sq ft | More for difficult disposal |
What vertical siding costs on a typical house
For a 1,500-square-foot siding area, a straightforward installation commonly totals $12,000-$16,500 using midrange products and standard trim. A small home or basic vinyl job may start near $7,500, while premium wood or fiber cement, complex walls, and extensive detailing can bring the same area to $24,000 or more.
Installed pricing generally falls between $5 and $16 per square foot, not per square foot of floor area. The siding area is measured across exterior walls, subtracting large openings when the contractor’s estimate allows. Assumptions: U.S. national ranges, standard wall access, ordinary trim, and no major framing or moisture repairs.
How boards, trim, and labor shape the quote
Vertical layouts can require extra measuring, fastening, furring, or trim work compared with a simple horizontal installation. The table shows common installed ranges; local quotes vary with brand, finish, wall condition, and contractor scope.
| Cost component | Low | Average | High | What changes the rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding materials | $2/sq ft | $3.50/sq ft | $6/sq ft | Thickness, profile, color |
| Fiber cement materials | $4/sq ft | $6/sq ft | $9/sq ft | Board style and finish |
| Wood or engineered wood | $4/sq ft | $7/sq ft | $11/sq ft | Species, grade, coating |
| Installation labor | $2/sq ft | $4/sq ft | $7/sq ft | Cutting, layout, access |
| Trim and flashing | $1/sq ft | $2/sq ft | $4/sq ft | Corners, windows, transitions |
Material and installation together make up most of the bill. Separate line items help reveal whether a low bid excludes house wrap, corner boards, starter strips, flashing, or waste allowance.
Which board material and wall details raise the price?
Vinyl board-and-batten is usually the lower-cost choice, while fiber cement and real wood tend to cost more because of heavier materials, cutting, finishing, and handling. Metal siding can also reach the upper end, especially with custom profiles or protective coatings.
Wall height and pattern matter too. Walls above 10 feet may need additional staging, while numerous windows, outside corners, gables, and narrow returns increase cuts and trim. For fiber cement, heavier boards and manufacturer-specific fastening can add labor; a change from 8-foot to 12-foot boards may reduce seams but can require more handling and suitable delivery access.
Complexity can move labor several dollars per square foot even when the siding material stays the same. Rot repair, sheathing replacement, or an uneven wall is usually priced separately after inspection.
How much do removal, prep, and installation labor add?
Crews commonly charge $50-$100 per labor hour, though bids are more often presented as a project or per-square-foot rate. A three-person crew might need 5-10 working days for a typical 1,500-square-foot siding area, depending on access, weather, and trim complexity.
Removing existing siding typically adds $1-$4 per square foot, and disposal may be included or billed separately. House wrap or a drainage layer can add roughly $0.50-$2 per square foot installed. Replacing damaged sheathing may cost $2-$5 per square foot of affected wall, excluding extensive structural repairs.
Ask whether the estimate includes tear-off, disposal, weather barrier, flashing, and repairs. These details can explain a substantial gap between two bids with similar-looking totals.
How regional labor rates change vertical siding estimates
Labor-intensive markets, including many coastal metro areas, can run 15%-30% above a national midpoint. Lower-cost rural markets may be 10%-20% below it, although long delivery distances or limited contractor availability can offset the difference. Severe-weather regions may also require upgraded fastening or moisture-management details.
These are broad comparisons rather than fixed regional price lists. A quote should state the siding area, material line, labor, tear-off, trim, and any code-related work so estimates from different contractors can be compared consistently.
Location changes labor and delivery more predictably than it changes the product’s listed price. Local permits may apply when the job includes structural changes, but a like-for-like siding replacement often has different requirements by jurisdiction.
Three vertical siding quotes for different project scopes
A 1,000-square-foot wall area in basic vinyl at $7 per square foot installed would total about $7,000 before removal. A 1,500-square-foot fiber-cement project at $11 per square foot would total about $16,500, assuming standard trim and no significant repairs.
A 2,000-square-foot wood siding job at $15 per square foot could reach $30,000 for installation and mid-to-high-grade material. If tear-off adds $2 per square foot, the added charge is $4,000. These examples exclude unusual scaffolding, extensive sheathing work, and optional painting unless included in the quoted rate.
Compare quotes at the same measured siding area and with the same inclusions. A seemingly cheaper per-square-foot rate may omit trim, waste, finishing, or disposal.
Where can homeowners trim the siding budget?
Keeping the existing siding is worth considering only if it is sound, flat, and compatible with the new installation method. Covering damaged or moisture-trapping walls can hide problems, so a contractor should inspect the substrate before recommending overlay work.
Choose a standard color and profile, limit decorative trim changes, and schedule the project before peak contractor demand when practical. Homeowners can reduce avoidable labor by clearing shrubs, moving outdoor furniture, and confirming access, but should leave removal and wall preparation to the agreed scope.
Get at least three written bids with matching material specifications and line items. Compare warranty terms, fastening details, disposal, and repair allowances—not just the headline price.