How Much Does It Cost to Install Vinyl Siding?

Reviewed by Carol J Alexander remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

According to the 2022 Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), 24 percent of newly constructed homes have vinyl siding. But your home doesn't have to be new to install vinyl siding. Some homeowners opt to replace existing vinyl siding on their older homes. Others choose vinyl siding to cover their existing wood siding because it's more easily maintained.

The average cost to install vinyl siding is from $9,206 to $17,133, with most homeowners spending $12,780 to side a 2,000-square-foot home. On the low end, you could side a 1,000-square-foot home with economy-grade siding for $3,710. On the high end, it costs $27,270 to apply premium-grade siding on a 3,000-square-foot home. This guide looks at all the factors influencing these cost ranges, the pros and cons of vinyl versus other materials, and how to pay for this home improvement project.

Cost to install vinyl siding

Vinyl siding installation cost factors

The average cost of vinyl siding depends on multiple factors besides the size of your home. Below, we look at each variable and how it figures into the overall cost.

Size of home

Larger homes require more materials and labor hours to install the siding. Therefore, the project costs more. However, estimating the square footage of the home's footprint will only give you a broad price range.

You get a more accurate estimate by measuring the surface area of your home's exterior walls. To do this, follow these steps:

Divide the surface into rectangles and triangles. Measure these sections and calculate the square size. (See the formulas in the box.) Once you have the total square footage, multiply that by the square foot price of your siding to get an estimated cost. 

Of course, other materials like trim, soffit, and fasteners are needed, too, but this calculation will give you a ballpark figure.

Another point to keep in mind is the shape of your house. Architectural elements like dormers and gables require more complicated cuts and will add to the cost. Due to the added labor time to use safety harnesses and ladders or scaffolding, multiple stories will, too.

Cost to install vinyl siding based on home size

Siding quality

Most residential vinyl siding is from .042 to .048 inches thick. However, some economy grades measure as thin as .035, and some premium grade siding in designer styles is a half-inch thick or more. The thicker, high-end vinyl designed to resemble cedar shakes or stone is more expensive, lasts longer, and is more durable. Also, a higher quality product typically has a longer warranty period than economy grades.

Siding style

The home's exterior siding defines its style and personality. From casual country to formal stone, you can achieve various designs with vinyl siding. However, the kind you choose will affect the cost. Here are the most popular vinyl siding styles with a brief description. 

• Traditional lap siding – Horizontal planks embossed with a natural wood-like texture
• Smooth – Horizontal planks with no texture
• Beaded – Has a beaded indentation along the edge of each horizontal plank
• Dutch lap – The top half of horizontal planks are concave to give the appearance of lapping
• Clapboard siding – Horizontal planks with wider ones at the bottom
• Board and batten – Vertical panels, 12-inches wide, with thin, pre-attached battens
• Vinyl shake siding – Thick vinyl panels formed to resemble rows of hand-split shakes
• Scalloped – Thick, horizontal panels formed to resemble individual scallops with rounded bottoms
• Vinyl log siding – Horizontal convex planks with a wood grain that resembles logs
• Vinyl brick siding – Vinyl panels, 2- to 4-foot wide, formed to resemble rows of bricks
• Vinyl stone siding – Panels formed to resemble dry-stacked stone

Siding type

The type of vinyl siding you choose affects the estimated cost. Typically, siding comes in three varieties: hollow, premium, and insulated. Let's take a look at what makes them different.

• Hollow siding – This type of siding is the thinnest, least expensive, and least durable. Though installed over rigid foam board or house wrap, a gap exists between the vinyl planks and the wall.
• Premium siding – Premium siding is heavier and thicker, though more costly. The better quality and improved durability make it more applicable to areas prone to extreme weather fluctuations. This thicker, better-quality siding is more durable. It's also installed over rigid foam insulation or house wrap.
• Insulated vinyl siding – The most costly type of siding, this premium vinyl has rigid foam insulation attached to the underside of the plank. It provides better insulation than when the foam is applied to the wall and is recommended for colder climates. For increased energy efficiency, contractors in extreme climates will use additional insulation with the insulated siding.

Additional cost factors

A few factors influencing the cost of a vinyl siding installation vary by homeowner. Those items include the following.

Existing siding

The labor for siding removal costs from $52 to $96 per hour.

If your home has existing vinyl siding, it must be removed and discarded before installing new siding. This demolition will add to the overall cost of the project. In addition to installation charges, you will incur demolition and disposal costs.

Location

Vinyl siding installation costs vary by region of the country. For example, all home improvement costs are higher in urban areas like Los Angeles or Baltimore than rural locations. But, with siding, the location's climate dictates the type of siding used and whether additional insulation is required–both factors could increase the overall cost. Also, installation could be more costly during the off-season in areas with extreme temperatures.

Three pricing budgets for vinyl siding costs

For any home improvement project, it helps to know what you can afford based on your budget. If you have a budget in place, the following pricing tiers include what you can afford in each. 

Budget-friendly vinyl siding installation

On a tight budget, homeowners pay $5,000 to $10,000 for a vinyl siding installation.

On average, homeowners with a strict budget can pay for a vinyl siding installation on their 1,000-square-foot home. To side a larger home, they can install an economy-grade siding with a .044 thickness or thinner. Basic styles like Dutch or traditional lap and smooth or beaded planks are within this price range.

Mid-range vinyl siding installation

With a mid-range budget, homeowners pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a vinyl siding installation.

The average homeowner can afford to side a 2,000 to 2,500-square-foot home with premium-grade siding that's more durable and weather-resistant. For a slightly smaller home, they can afford a designer-style siding that includes board and batten, vinyl shakes, or stone.

Another option in the pricing category is to mix and match. For instance, if you have a larger home and can't afford the luxury designer styles, you can choose a premium siding for most of the house and use the luxury styles for embellishment. Here are a few examples.

• Vinyl stone panels on the lower half of the walls with board and batten above
• Dutch lap siding on the rectangular wall portions with vinyl scallops in the gables
• Clapboard siding mixed with vinyl shake siding

Luxury vinyl siding installation

On the high end of the spectrum, homeowners pay $20,000 to $30,000 for a vinyl siding installation.

Owners of large luxury homes can afford premium, designer siding and insulated siding. In addition to options like vinyl shake or stone, homeowners in cold climates can afford additional insulation for better energy efficiency. For homes over 3,000 square feet, expect to pay at least $10 per square foot extra for the materials alone.

Pros and cons of vinyl siding

DIY vs. Professional vinyl siding installation

If you've ever watched a siding professional install vinyl, you probably thought it looked pretty easy. For the most part, it is. But what happens when you get to architectural details like windows, the eaves, or dormers? How do you match the corners? Which piece goes on first? Do you know how to calculate how much siding your home requires? Professionals not only know all these things, but they also have the proper tools to help them do so. 

Siding is your home's first line of defense against wind, water, and pests. Even small gaps from incorrect installation can leave your home vulnerable to these outside forces. Also, incorrectly installed vinyl siding is prone to warping, bulging, gapping, and cracking. Hiring a professional is wise if you've never installed siding before. Otherwise, you risk spending your savings on future repairs needed to fix your mistakes.

Paying for your vinyl siding installation

Depending on the size of your house, installing vinyl siding can cost a big chunk of change. Since installing it isn't a DIY-friendly job, you can save on labor costs. If you don’t have the cash for this home improvement project, here are a few payment options to make paying for it more manageable.

• Borrow against your HELOC. If you already have a home equity line of credit, withdrawing funds for vinyl siding is easy. If you've never opened a HELOC, ask a lender to open one.
• Apply for a home improvement loan. A HELOC allows you to withdraw funds when needed, no matter how little. But a home improvement loan gives you a lump sum for the project. A loan may be the best option if you don't have any other projects on your list.
• Contractor financing. Ask your siding contractor if they offer financing. If so, compare the rates with those from your financial institution.

Ways to save money on new vinyl siding 

If you’ve gotten estimates from several contractors and still need to shave a bit off the project cost, here are a few ways to do that.

• Choose a different material. Choosing a plain-Jane siding will be less expensive, whether you opt for a thinner grade of siding or give up the specialty style like faux stone.
• Ask about tax breaks. Because of its insulation properties, vinyl siding can make your home more energy efficient. With this in mind, check with your accountant for current tax advantages to installing vinyl siding on your home.
• DIY the demo. If your home has existing siding, remove it yourself to save on the demolition labor cost. 

Other considerations

• Hidden damage found behind existing siding – You may find hidden damage from water or insects when you remove the old siding. The damage will need repairing before the new siding is applied, adding to the overall cost.
• Permitting – Depending on your local building officials, you may need a permit to replace the siding on your house. If you've hired a professional siding contractor, he'll likely roll this cost into the project's total cost. If you're DIYing the project, check with your local building official about how to apply and the prices.
• Warranties – Make sure to compare warranties on the products you're interested in installing before deciding. Also, ask the contractor if he guarantees the workmanship.

Improve your curb appeal with new vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable ways to give your home a facelift. And turning rarely noticed into the talk of the neighborhood can, in most instances, be done in a week. Let us help you find a siding expert to give you a quote specific to your region – because first impressions are everything.