Average Cost per Square Foot and House Size
Budgeting is a primary concern ahead of any home improvement project. Whether you’re going to contact a siding contractor or attempt a DIY repair or replacement of any siding, you’ll want to be aware of average costs. We’ve outlined supply costs for you here.
Vinyl Siding Cost per Square Foot
Vinyl is as low maintenance a material for house siding as you’ll find. On average, you can expect to pay between $1 and $6 per sq. ft for vinyl clapboard siding. This will vary depending on the gauge of material you are going with. Industry standards mandate that vinyl siding be at least .035 inches thick. Many modern high-quality or insulating materials can be thicker than this and cost more. Your exact costs will depend on your budget, square footage, and durability needs.
Other add-ons such as vinyl fascia and soffits coverings could add anywhere from $3 to $7.50 per linear foot in cost.
Vinyl Siding Labor Cost
No matter the material you go with for your siding project, hiring a qualified work crew is always a good idea. They can save you the aggravation and hassle of gathering all of the materials and tools needed while ensuring that the job is done properly the first time. Here are some average costs for labor on a number of siding-related tasks.
Vinyl Siding Removal Cost
Professionals will charge anywhere from $0.25 to $1 per square foot for removal. Aside from that, you may be billed for disposal fees, which could run you up to $250 extra. The exact figure for this will depend on your house size and how much material is being hauled away.
Vinyl Siding Repair Cost
Vinyl siding repairs on your home’s exterior can be tricky for a number of reasons. If your siding is damaged or has experienced warping or cracks from overexposure to the elements, then any licensed professional can easily remove your old siding and patch things up.
Aside from removal fees, re-touching or patching up a section of vinyl siding will likely cost anywhere from $2 to $4 per square foot. That said, the effectiveness of this repair could be contingent on the type of vinyl siding you have on your home. Matching could be a tall order depending on its age, color, or texture. Siding styles can go out of production or circulation and could make a total replacement of your siding necessary in some cases.
Vinyl Siding Installation Cost
The average price of a full-scale vinyl siding installation — if done by a professional — will include all labor and material costs, including coverage for your gables, soffit, fascia, and other specialty areas as needed.
Expect this project to cost anywhere from $6,000 to $16,000, with average costs typically settling between $9,000 and $11,000. These averages fit most home sizes and vinyl siding types. Project costs will depend on supply prices at the time of your installation and the gauge and style of vinyl siding you choose.
Can you install vinyl siding by yourself?
Yes, you definitely can install vinyl siding on your own. Along with being incredibly weather-resistant and long-lasting, it is fairly easy to cut and fasten to exterior walls. The installation process can be time-consuming for anyone without dedicated expertise in the field, but this is the case with any home maintenance or renovation.
DIY Vinyl Siding Installation Considerations
Aside from procuring raw materials, disposing of existing siding, and taking the necessary safety precautions, you should account for the following.
Time to Install Vinyl Siding
As far as home projects go, installing new vinyl siding is incredibly involved and time-consuming. With requisite time off from work, you can expect to take between one to two weeks to tear down old siding, wrap your home, and put up new siding.
Luckily, vinyl siding is one of the easiest to install on your own, with only basic tools needed. DIY projects will also require that you rent a dumpster or procure some other means of waste disposal.
Tools needed to Install Vinyl Siding
You’ll be in luck if you already have a fully-stocked workshop. If not, some extra purchases may be necessary. Aside from a circular saw with a quality fine-tooth blade, these are relatively inexpensive.
- Circular or miter saw with fine-tooth blades (12 to 16 teeth per inch) – available for rental from most major hardware or home supply stores.
- Hammer
- Square and chalk line-up tool
- Tape measure
- Fine-tooth hand saw
- Unlocking tool (to unhook vinyl siding pieces without damaging them)
- Tin snips
- Drill with a 5/16-inch bit
- Utility knife/ razor
Fasteners
You’ll have your choice of fasteners when installing vinyl siding. Corrosion-resistance nails, screws, or staples made from aluminum or stainless steel will be your best bet by far. These should be able to penetrate at least 3/4-inch into your base wall material.
Vinyl Siding Cost by Type
Here, we’ve outlined the relative costs of each type of vinyl siding by type and design. Vinyl siding options are incredibly varied and often come in a number of different colors to suit any homeowner’s desire. Aside from that, they come at a relatively low cost when compared to siding prices for other materials.
Whether you want a plain-grain or flat vinyl siding option or imitation wood grain for your home, your local roofing and siding contractor will likely have a few options for you.
| Vinyl Siding Type | Cost Per Square Foot | Labor Cost Per Square Foot |
| Board and Batten Siding | $5 – $12 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Clapboard Siding | $1 – $6 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Vertical Siding | $3 – $8 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Dutch Lap Siding | $3 – $8 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Vinyl Shake Siding | $4 – $10 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Insulated Vinyl Siding | $8 – $16 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Vinyl Stone Siding | $5 – $10 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Beaded Siding | $3 – $7 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Vinyl Brick Siding | $6 – $10 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Scalloped Vinyl Siding | $4 – $9 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
| Smooth Vinyl Siding | $1.75 – $6 | $2.50 – $5.50 |
- Board and Batten: Board and batten is typically a wood siding option and was initially made to imitate a more rural or rustic look. That said, it is also commonly available in vinyl. It’s a no-frills design, featuring narrow raised verticle planking strips between wider recessed flat sections, usually between 7 and 8 inches wide.
- Clapboard Siding: This style employs thin, overlapping wood planking to cover the side of your home. It is the style most commonly emulated by vinyl siding and presents a functional and affordable solution.
- Dutch Lap Siding: Dutch lap siding is another siding replacement option widely available in wood and vinyl. The wood option features interlocking planking, while vinyl presents a lighter-weight imitation of the same appearance.
Vinyl Siding vs. Other Materials: FAQs and Cost Comparison
Is vinyl siding cheaper than wood siding?
Wood siding installation for the average full-sized home will cost between $9,000 and $18,000. Cost factors will include wood type, siding design, and home size. Vinyl siding can, in most cases, cost far less. Average vinyl installation costs will fall around $9,000, which is the lower end of wood siding costs.
Is vinyl siding cheaper than aluminum siding?
This will depend entirely on the relative availability of materials in your area. Aluminum siding costs anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot, with other metal sidings — such as steel — costing far more.
How long will vinyl siding last?
Vinyl is an incredibly durable option for any siding need. It takes a long time to fade and doesn’t rot, warp, or peel. Vinyl siding can last 50 to 60 years under sub-optimal conditions. If properly cared for and cleaned, it can last for decades beyond this as well.
Is vinyl siding cheaper than fiber cement (Hardiplank & Hardie Board)?
Fiber cement siding will typically have higher average material costs, at up to $15 per square foot. However, this type of siding, made from cement and wood pulp, can cost up to $25 per square foot for installation.
House Method Roofing Methodology (Roofing Type)
Arranging for a home repair of this scale is going to be a fairly involved project. If you haven’t conducted renovations like this – either via a contractor or on your own – then it can be a bit overwhelming. At House Method, we pride ourselves on being able to take all of the guesswork out of the equation for you.
We’ve thoroughly evaluated each roofing type to make your selection process easier. Through exhaustive research into hundreds of different roofing providers throughout the United States and analyses of thousands of individual homeowner experiences, we’ve broken our roof rating system down into the following categories.
All roofs receive an aggregate rating between (0.0) and (1.0). This rating is comprised of six key evaluation criteria, which we’ve outlined below. The rating between (0.0) and (1.0) will correspond to a secondary rating out of five stars, which is displayed more visibly in our articles across this category.
- Durability (.40): With roofs being constantly exposed to the elements, different materials’ relative durability is a key metric that must be considered. If you’re planning on conducting such an extensive upgrade to your home, then your roof’s expected lifespan should be among your primary concerns. We’ve weighed the relative effectiveness of all roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to corrugated metal roofing from different manufacturers in order to determine the most long-lasting options.
- Cost (.25):The nationwide average cost for replacing a 1,500-square-foot roof falls between $6,500 and $16,000. Across the board, you should expect to pay between $4 and $11 per square foot of roofing material. This range will account for your location, material choice and availability, ease of access to and installation of your roof, and far more.
- Contractor Availability (.13): Different roofing contractors in different locales will have varied service offerings. For example, not all roofers are equipped with the requisite skillset and knowledge to install metal roofing. Depending on the kind of roof you want to have installed, your contractor options may be somewhat limited.
- Warranty Offerings (.12): Aside from workmanship warranties, many roofing manufacturers will offer warranties for the panels themselves. Structural failure should be covered by any manufacturing firm for at least 10 years after the installation has been completed, at the panel or shingle’s full value. We grade each roofing type by standard warranty offerings to ensure that you’re covered in this case.
- Ease of Future Maintenance and Upgrades (.05): You should always have contingency plans after any home upgrade. Maintenance is inevitable, no matter the material you use. Whether you’re installing solar panels on a functional existing roof, or are simply replacing a defective panel or shingle, certain materials will be easier to work with than others. Typically, less durable materials will score higher in this category due to their better pliability and workability.
- Customization Options (.05): Any exterior and visible home upgrade is going to have an aesthetic element, aside from functionality. A roof replacement should be an upgrade to the curb appeal of your home. Different types of roofing materials will have varying numbers of style and color options, which factor into our rating.