Western red cedar shingles typically cost $7-$18 per sq. ft. installed, with many standard projects averaging about $12 per sq. ft. The price depends on whether the shingles cover a roof or wall, cedar grade and thickness, tear-off needs, roof complexity, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shingle materials | $3 per sq. ft. | $5.50 per sq. ft. | $9 per sq. ft. | Grade, thickness, and coverage affect price |
| Installed roofing | $9 per sq. ft. | $13 per sq. ft. | $20 per sq. ft. | Standard roof; tear-off may cost extra |
| Installed siding | $7 per sq. ft. | $11 per sq. ft. | $16 per sq. ft. | Wall area, trim, and access change labor |
| Bundle of shingles | $45 | $80 | $140 | Coverage varies by product and exposure |
Installed cedar shingle prices by project size
For a typical roof, western red cedar shingles cost about $9-$20 per sq. ft. installed, or roughly $18,000-$40,000 for 2,000 sq. ft. of roof surface. A straightforward job with standard-grade shingles is often near $13 per sq. ft. Wall siding generally runs $7-$16 per sq. ft. installed, or $14,000-$32,000 for 2,000 sq. ft. of coverage.
Budget about $13 per sq. ft. for a standard roof and $11 per sq. ft. for cedar shingle siding. Prices assume a professional installation, ordinary access, and no major structural repairs. Roof area means the sloped surface, not the home’s floor area; a steep or complex roof has more surface and takes longer to cover.
Assumptions: U.S. midrange labor rates, standard western red cedar, typical access, and no extensive decking replacement.
What roofing and siding quotes include
Material quotes may cover only shingles, while a full installation price includes underlayment or weather-resistive barriers, fasteners, flashing, labor, and job cleanup. Ask whether the estimate includes starter courses, ridge details, trim, delivery, and removal of the existing roof or siding.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar shingles | $3-$9 per sq. ft. | Grade, thickness, and exposure |
| Installation labor | $4-$9 per sq. ft. | Roof pitch, wall height, and detailing |
| Underlayment and flashing | $1-$3 per sq. ft. | Roofing system and code requirements |
| Tear-off and disposal | $1-$4 per sq. ft. | Existing layers and disposal fees |
| Trim and accessories | $2-$8 per linear ft. | Edges, corners, ridges, and openings |
Labor and prep can rival the shingle bill, so compare estimates by included tasks rather than the total alone. A line-item quote makes it easier to spot missing tear-off, flashing, or disposal charges.
Roof shingles versus cedar shingle siding
Roofing and siding shingles are not automatically interchangeable. Roof products must be installed as a weather-shedding system with appropriate exposure, underlayment, flashing, and roof details. Siding shingles use wall-specific layout and weather barriers. Ask the supplier to confirm that the product and installation method are rated for the intended application.
Roofing often costs more per square foot than siding because pitch, edge details, fall protection, and roof penetrations slow the work. A basic wall may be less expensive to reach, but high gables, multiple windows, and intricate trim can bring siding labor into the upper range.
Use the correct product and installation specification for the surface; a low material price does not make a mismatched shingle a sound substitute.
How grade, exposure, and roof pitch change price
Clear, premium-grade shingles with fewer visible defects usually cost more than lower grades intended for less prominent areas. Thicker shingles and tighter exposure generally use more wood per square foot. Since bundle coverage varies, compare price per square foot at the specified exposure instead of comparing bundle prices alone.
Roof pitch and layout affect labor. A simple roof below a 6:12 pitch is generally less demanding than a steep roof above 8:12, where setup, movement, and safety precautions can add time. Complex valleys, dormers, and multiple penetrations also require extra cutting and flashing. For siding, wall height above two stories or many openings can increase setup and fitting time.
Confirm shingle grade, thickness, exposure, and measured coverage in writing before comparing bids. Changing any of these specifications can make two apparently similar estimates unequal.
How long cedar shingle installation takes
A roofing crew of three or four may need about 5-10 working days for a 2,000-sq.-ft. roof, depending on tear-off, pitch, weather, and detailing. Siding installation on 2,000 sq. ft. of wall area can take roughly 7-14 working days when trim and window details are included. These are planning ranges, not guaranteed schedules.
Labor rates commonly fall around $50-$100 per worker-hour, though contractors usually quote a project total rather than an hourly bill. Rain, cold conditions, difficult staging, and repairs discovered after removal can extend the schedule and raise labor expense.
Ask the contractor to separate installation labor from removal, repair allowances, and cleanup. This helps identify which charges may change if concealed damage is found.
Regional price gaps for cedar shingle projects
Labor markets and delivery distance can move installed prices materially. Dense coastal and high-cost metro areas may run about 10%-25% above a national midrange quote. Rural areas may be 5%-15% lower when local crews are available, but long delivery routes or limited contractor availability can offset the savings.
Climate and local building requirements also affect the assembly, especially on roofs exposed to heavy rain, wind, or wildfire risk. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and project. Verify applicable rules with the local building department and ask whether permits, inspections, or specified underlayment are included in the estimate.
Compare at least three local bids using the same measured area and product specification. A national average is useful for screening, but local written estimates better reflect delivery, labor, and code costs.
Three cedar shingle estimates with different scopes
A straightforward 1,500-sq.-ft. roof using standard shingles might price at $11 per sq. ft., totaling about $16,500, with roughly 100-140 labor hours. A 2,000-sq.-ft. roof with steep sections and tear-off might run $16 per sq. ft., or $32,000, with about 180-260 labor hours. A 1,200-sq.-ft. siding project with standard trim might cost $10 per sq. ft., totaling $12,000, with about 130-200 labor hours.
These examples assume ordinary material availability and no major sheathing replacement. The roof examples use roof surface area; the siding example uses wall coverage. Labor hours vary with crew size and staging, and should not be treated as a fixed schedule.
Use examples as a scope check, not as a substitute for a measured local quote. A bid far outside these ranges may reflect different grade, access, tear-off, or repair work.
Lowering the cedar shingle bill without cutting corners
Keep the project area and product specification consistent while soliciting bids. If existing layers can legally and safely remain, avoiding tear-off may save about $1-$4 per sq. ft.; a contractor should first check moisture, attachment, and code limitations. Handle simple site clearing or moving outdoor items before installation if the contractor agrees it will not delay the crew.
Choose a suitable standard grade rather than paying for premium appearance where it is not needed, and avoid changing exposure or thickness mid-project. Bundling roof and siding work can reduce duplicate mobilization charges, but only if the schedule and crew capability fit both tasks.
Prioritize sound flashing, barriers, and installation details over cosmetic upgrades that do not improve the required performance. Compare warranties, cleanup, and repair allowances alongside the price, and get any excluded work stated in writing.