Here’s what to expect from your cost estimate.

From the outside, your home only looks as old as your siding. If your current siding is cracking or fading, you may consider a siding replacement to revive your home’s aesthetic. If your home sustained damage from a fire or flood, or if a pest infestation has left you with undesirable housemates, siding replacement may be essential to protecting the integrity of your home.

No matter your reason for re-siding, you have the opportunity to give your home a facelift — you can choose new siding colors and a design that enhances your home’s curb appeal and value. But re-siding is also a costly endeavor. Knowing what to expect can help you make room in your budget or secure the appropriate financing for your needs. While the best way to get an accurate price is to request a quote, this guide will provide a general sense of how much siding replacement costs and the factors that impact pricing.

What Factors Impact the Cost of Siding Installation?

• Your home’s size and shape: The surface area of your home’s exterior determines how much material your siding installer will need and may even impact the cost of a permit if one is required. You’ll also pay more for a home with multiple stories, especially if its architectural design makes siding installation more challenging.
• Your existing siding: The cost to remove your current siding can vary depending on the siding material and whether there’s any damage underneath. Some older homes may require lead paint abatement.
• Your home’s location: The price of materials, labor, and compliance with building codes and permitting requirements vary from one location to the next.
• Your choice of materials: Some siding materials cost more than others. Vinyl is less expensive but lacks the aesthetics of wood or fiber cement. Wood is typically more expensive than either fiber cement or vinyl and also has higher ongoing maintenance costs. Fiber cement is more expensive than vinyl, but typically less than wood siding, and is more resilient to weather and fire damage than either wood or vinyl.
• Different product lines of the same material also vary in cost: Hardie® Artisan siding
• Labor prices for the contractor you choose: Some companies charge more for labor than others, even within the same zip code. Comparing quotes can help you get a good price, but make sure to evaluate the installer’s reputation. An unusually low price can sometimes indicate inferior workmanship. James Hardie thoroughly vets its Preferred Contractors to ensure a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
• The season: Summer is typically a busy season for siding replacements, so scheduling your re-siding project during the contractor’s off-season may sometimes grant a lower estimate. However, you’ll need to be more wary of inclement weather that could impact the job during those off-seasons.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Material

Upfront pricing is an important consideration, but there are a few other factors you should think about before choosing a siding material. Compare your options based on the following parameters.

Aesthetic Appeal

You’ll likely live with your siding choice for as long as you remain in your home, so you should choose an aesthetic that brings you joy. Hardie® siding is a versatile option — it’s available in hundreds of factory-prepared colors and can mimic the appearance of more expensive materials like wood and stone. Hardie® siding is also easy to paint later, if you decide you want a refresh, but don’t need to replace the boards. Check out our inspiration guide to see what’s possible, or use our visualizer to envision a custom look of your own.

Durability

You’ll also want to consider how well the siding material will endure the tests of time and weather. In a modern retelling of The Three Little Pigs, the wisest of the little pigs might choose fiber cement siding to affordably build the more durable house. Hardie® products are engineered to stand up to Mother Nature (though we haven’t tested them against wolves, Hardie® holds no appeal to pests such as termites and woodpeckers. Still, we’re pretty sure even the angriest of the wolf pack wouldn’t be able to blow down a home with Hardie® siding).

Hardie® siding resists damage from moisture, whether hurricanes, rain storms, or heavy snow pose a threat in your area. It’s also recognized by fire departments nationwide for its noncombustible properties — While fire can quickly melt vinyl and destroy wood, Hardie® siding won’t ignite when exposed to a flame. Hardie® siding also holds no appeal to pests like termites or woodpeckers. Even the color is designed to resist fading and cracking, thanks to the ColorPlus® technology finishes which create a stronger bond.

Warranty Info

James Hardie is confident that Hardie® siding is a durable choice for homeowners (and little pigs), so we stand by our products with industry-leading warranties. All Hardie® siding and trim products come with a 30-year, non-prorated limited warranty, which includes a Lifetime limited transferable warranty covering materials and labor. If you end up selling your home, the next homeowner will be covered. Not to mention, our ColorPlus® Technology finishes come with a 15-year limited warranty that covers paint and labor, protecting against peeling, cracking, and chipping.

Most siding manufacturers include a warranty, but you’ll want to check the details before choosing a product.

Maintenance

Some siding materials are more difficult or expensive to maintain than others. Vinyl may be cheaper upfront, for example, but it is more susceptible to damage from the elements, such as hail, and may crack, buckle or sag as a result of extreme temperature changes.

Hardie® siding requires minimal maintenance every six to 12 months, and are more durable to resist damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail."

ROI

You may not live in your home forever, so it’s important to think about how your re-siding project will impact the value of your home. James Hardie warranties are transferable, and due to the low-maintenance durability of Hardie® products, many homebuyers see Hardie® siding as a valuable feature. In fact, replacing your siding with Hardie® siding is one of the top remodeling projects in terms of return on investment, according to the 2024 “Cost vs Value Report” from Remodeling Magazine.

What’s Included in My Contractor’s Pricing Estimate?

If you ask your contractor for an itemized price quote, you might see the following items:

• Materials: Your contractor may include a per-unit price and quantity for all required materials, including the siding and trim boards.
• Labor: Some siding installers estimate how long the project will take and multiply an hourly rate by the number of hours, while others may charge a flat rate for the entire job.
• Other costs: Your price quote will also include miscellaneous expenses, such as equipment rental, waste removal, permit costs, and sales tax, which will be reflected in the total price.

Most price quotes also account for unexpected costs. For example, the document might indicate a percentage above the estimated price that could be due upon completion if inclement weather or other unforeseen issues occur. Our re-siding guide offers an outline of what to expect during the installation process.

Understanding Cost and Value

Siding replacement is one of the more expensive home renovation projects, but it can deliver big benefits. Understanding the upfront and ongoing costs of different siding options can help you choose the right material for your home, and once you’ve determined the approximate cost of your project, you can financially prepare.

As you do the math to determine the cost vs value of different products, remember that you can’t put a price tag on protecting your family or your most precious belongings. Hardie® siding has helped homes survive wildfires that turned neighboring homes to ash. You never know when a natural disaster could wreak havoc on your community, so make sure price isn’t your only priority when replacing your siding. It doesn’t hurt that the same siding that is noncombustible and resists damage from weather is also the siding that provides long-lasting beauty for your home with low maintenance.