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The average cost of repairing siding is $600 - $1,200.
In this guide
Signs your siding needs repairCost factors
Types of siding
Labor
Repair vs replacement
Enhancement and improvement costs
Additional considerations and costs
FAQ
How much does it cost to repair siding?
For decades, siding has been a viable external shell for any home or business. In the early days, siding was typically simple wood clapboard. However, vinyl 1 and aluminum siding have become popular options that are easy to care for and maintain.
The cost to repair a 170-foot section of damaged siding naturally varies, depending on the material. To replace a singular piece of wood siding averages $100-$150 per section, plus labor. A contractor charges $40-$50 per hour. To replace a 170 sq.ft. section of siding averages $600-$1,200 in material and labor.
Signs your siding needs repair
Siding acts as the protective shell for your home. This means that it is exposed to often extreme weather conditions, which take their toll on the appearance and stability of the siding. In many cases, siding can start to show visual signs of damage. You may notice broken or cracked siding. Mold, fungus, or mildew can build up on the siding’s surface and require removal to restore the siding to its former glory. Also, you may notice missing nails or areas where the caulking 2 is damaged or gone. After a storm, it is not uncommon for tree limbs or flying debris to hit the siding’s surface and cause dents or cracks, which also must be promptly repaired.
Cost factors
Several things should be taken into consideration when determining the cost to repair the damaged siding. Often the location of the damage matters if it is in hard-to-reach areas such as behind shrubs or other obstacles. Also, a home that has multiple stories will require ladders to repair high damage. Vinyl siding tends to be the most cost-efficient siding to repair. Aluminum siding is often expensive or impossible to effectively repair because it is difficult to match the color of the old siding with the new. In time, all siding suffers fading or cracking. Replacing pieces of siding or repairing cracks tends to be relatively easy. Extensive damage, such as from a storm, may require the replacement of a whole wall of siding.
Types of siding
Different types of siding are more prone to certain damage or problems.
| Type | Damage | Repairs |
|---|---|---|
Vinyl ($40/12’-12-½’ piece) | Fading Cracking | The faded or cracked piece must be removed and replaced |
Stucco ($9/bag of stucco) ($22/finishing material) ($6.00-$9.00/sq.ft.) | Cracks in the mortar 3 | The best way to repair medium-sized cracks is to have the cracks filled in with stucco 4 |
Bricks or stone ($8-$10/sq.ft. of repair) ($2-$3/sq.ft. ofgrout 7 andmortar 5) | Cracking | Cracks in the mortar surrounding brick and stone siding must be filled in using grout 5 or mortar |
Wood ($100-$150/6 ft. section) | Fading Cracking Rot | The faded, rotten, or cracked section must be removed and replaced |
Fiber cement ($1.62/sq.ft.) ($40-$50/hr) | Cracking | Often the best way to repair the damage is to have the section replaced |
Aluminum ($7/sq.ft. for repair) ($755-$1,207/170 sq.ft. replacement) | Fading Dents | Virtually impossible to repair without replacement |
Labor
No matter what type of siding you have, most siding contractors charge from $40-$50 for installation, replacement, or repair of all siding. The damaged siding must be removed and discarded. Many contractors will lay an insulation or vapor barrier 6 prior to hanging the new siding.
Typically, a contractor will include labor in the price per square foot. However, a small repair job is usually determined simply using the amount of time that it will take to repair the damage. To repair a single piece of damaged vinyl siding usually takes a contractor one hour to remove the damaged piece, lay any underlayment 7, and replace it with a new piece. Siding contractors charge $40-$50 per hour plus the cost of the siding which averages $40. The total amount to replace a damaged section of vinyl siding averages $80-$90.
Repair vs replacement
Most vinyl siding can easily be repaired by replacing a small section of siding. A single section of vinyl siding that measures 12' to 12-1/2' long averages $40 per piece and takes a siding repairman only an hour to repair at a cost of $40-$50 per hour. However, colored aluminum siding is often difficult to match so many siding repair companies will recommend that you replace the entire wall to effectively match the color of the siding. The cost to replace 170 sq.ft. of damaged aluminum siding averages $755-$1,207 for labor and supplies. Bricks, stone, and stucco can all easily be repaired and not require replacement. A masonry expert will fill in any cracks using stucco or mortar for a cost of $8-$10 per square foot. Fiber cement 8 is more difficult to repair and often requires that a single sheet of the siding be replaced to effectively repair the damage. The cost of a sheet of fiber cement that measures 48-in. x 96-in averages $36 and the cost of labor is $40-$50 per hour. Any time a section of siding can be repaired it is much cheaper than complete replacement.
| Siding options | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
Repair | Cheaper Easier | May not exactly match the existing siding Repair spots may be noticeable |
| Replacement | Looks perfect when complete | Expensive Complete replacement usually requires a professional Cannot be handled as a simple DIY project |
Enhancement and improvement costs
Siding painting
A new coat of paint can add life to any siding. The average cost to paint 1,500 sq.ft. of siding is $1,850-$2,500.
Additional considerations and costs
- Asbestos. Older homes built prior to 1960 often feature asbestos 9 siding. Asbestos is dangerous if the fibers or dust become airborne, so there is always a certain amount of risk involved in repairing the siding. You can no longer purchase asbestos siding, but you can often find a suitable replacement for the damaged area, such as fiber cement, which looks very similar to asbestos siding and can be painted to match. A specialized asbestos removal company charges $200-$700 per hour to remove and dispose of the asbestos. Many contractors who specialize in asbestos removal will charge a fixed base fee of $1,500-$3,000 per job regardless of how small the job is.
- DIY. Many people opt to undertake siding repair themselves. Stucco, stone, and brick are fairly easy to repair using caulk 2. Vinyl and fiber cement can be replaced in the area of damage. Aluminum siding that is colored is often difficult to match and if you cannot match the damaged area then you might want to consider painting the siding when you are done repairing the damage so everything matches.
- Additional charges. Nowadays, many contractors want to install a housewrap (often called Tyvek) between your home’s exterior walls and the siding to optimize waterproofing. A 9 ft. x 150 ft. roll of housewrap averages $165 per roll. However, this is an additional cost and rarely included in the price. You should always take the time to make sure that the cost of the building paper is included if you have decided to have it installed.
- Replacing siding. If your home sustains siding damage and the damaged siding is no longer viable, then you could use siding panels from an area of your home that is less visible to replace the damaged area. Then you can try your best to replace the siding you borrowed from the obscure area of your home with a somewhat similar style or color.
FAQ
- How much does it cost to fix siding on a house?
The price to fix siding varies depending on the material. However, most contractors charge between $40-$50 per hour for labor.
- How do I fix a hole in my vinyl siding?
You can use caulk to repair the hole. Simply find a caulking material that is waterproof and matches the shade of the final siding. Fill the hole with the caulk, smooth the surface, and allow it to dry.
- What is siding repair?
Siding repair refers to fixing small areas of damage on siding, such as areas that are cracked or fading.
- Why do you need siding?
Siding is used to further protect your home, provide additional insulation, and also offer curb appeal.
- How much is vinyl siding for a 1,500 sq. ft. house?
To have vinyl siding installed on a 1.500 sq.ft. house averages $8,000-$12,000 or $5.01 per sq.ft.
- How much does it cost to repair wood siding?
A single section of six-foot wood siding usually averages $100 to $150 per section to have replaced professionally. Staining or painting will cost additional. A gallon of stain or paint averages $30-$50 per gallon and a painter’s labor to paint siding averages $20-$35 per hour.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others
2 Caulking: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant
3 Mortar: A mixture of Portland cement or lime or a combination of both, sand, and water used to bind bricks, stones, and concrete masonry units together
4 Stucco: A type of durable plaster finish made of aggregates, a binder, and water (traditionally Portland cement, sand, and water) used on masonry, walls, ceilings, and decorative moldings
5 Grout: A fluid form of cement used to seal the joints between tiles. It also makes the surface stronger because it bonds the tiles together
6 Vapor barrier: A protective cover, commonly made of polyethylene, used for damp proofing walls and floors
7 Underlayment: Roofing material laid underneath roofing tiles to seal the roof, preventing leaks
8 Fiber cement: A building material made with cellulose fiber, concrete, and recycled materials such as glass
9 Asbestos: A group of fire-resistant silicate minerals found in construction materials including paint, particularly in older homes. When the asbestos deteriorates, particles can become airborne and this is a serious health hazard.
How much does it cost to repair siding in my city?
Cost to repair siding varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Labor cost by city and zip code
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Labor cost in your zip code
Last modified: See change history
Methodology and sources
