Is Siding Replacement Expensive?
Siding replacement is one of the most beneficial projects you can do for your home. There are a few different siding options available based on the performance of siding materials and budget. If your siding is beginning to rot and showing signs of damage, it is time to repair or replace it.
One of the most common questions homeowners have about siding replacement is what the cost entails. It’s no secret replacing siding for homes can be expensive, but many variables go into the cost of the bottom line. We’ve outlined some of those variables so you have a better idea of what to expect.
Understanding The Types Of Siding Available
The siding material type plays a major role in the overall cost of your siding replacement. Some of the most common types of siding with the average material cost include:
- Vinyl siding – $3 to $11 per square foot
- Wood siding – $4 to $13 per square foot
- Aluminum siding – $3 to $11 per square foot
- Fiber Cement/James Hardie siding – $6 to $13 per square foot
- Brick siding – $8 to $18 per square foot
- Stucco – $10 to $45 per square foot
As you can see, there is a wide range when it comes to material pricing. The contractor you work with can help you narrow down the specific price of the material you are considering.
Siding Replacement Labor Costs
Labor is another important factor in the cost to replace siding. The labor cost can range from $1 to $13 per square foot, depending on the siding material you choose. The most common siding types are James Hardie siding, vinyl, aluminum, and wood, which have an average labor cost of up to $2 per square foot. The labor costs vary depending on how easy the materials are to cut, install, and work with in general. However, these are just starting points of the overall cost of replacement siding. Other unique factors of your home will determine the price as well.
What Factors Can Make Siding Replacement Cost Fluctuate?
While you can get a general idea of the cost to replace siding online, you’ll need to talk to an experienced professional to understand the cost for your particular home. These factors can make your siding replacement project more or less costly:
- The square footage of your home
- The architectural design of your exterior
- The type of siding you are replacing
- Single-story vs. two-story
- Whether any specific features like moisture barriers are required
When a siding contractor visits your home to provide an estimate, they will take all of the above factors into consideration. Generally speaking, a 1,500-square-foot home could cost between $14,000-$25,000 for siding replacement.
How Do You Know If You Need Replacement Siding?
Your home’s siding can last 6 years up to 100 years with proper maintenance. Factors you should evaluate regularly include whether the paint is peeling or worn, how much wood rot or damage is present, or if it’s simply outdated. With vinyl siding, replacement signs could be that it is faded, cracked, misaligned or loose. Sometimes siding simply needs a fresh coat of quality paint to extend its lifespan. Your siding contractor will evaluate it closely and make recommendations based on their professional experience.
DIY vs. Professional Siding Installation
Handy homeowners might consider replacing their home siding on their own to save labor costs. While this option saves a significant amount of money on labor, it could be more costly in other ways. There is no substitute for experience. Replacing the siding on your home by yourself can take an extremely long time and you never know what issues you might run into. And if you make a mistake without realizing it, the cost to fix it could be extensive.
Do I Need A Permit To Side My House?
The answer is yes, you need a permit. The permitting jurisdiction depends on the area you live in. Here’s some helpful information for do-it-yourselfers.
If you live in Martin County including Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, and Jensen Beach, call (772) 288-5916
If you live in the City of Stuart, call (772) 288-5326
If you live in the City of Sewall’s Point, call (772) 287-2455
If you live in Saint Lucie County:
Port Saint Lucie City, call (772) 871-5132
Fort Pierce City, call (772) 467-3000
If you live in the unincorporated cities of Fort Pierce and Jensen Beach, call Unincorporated Saint Lucie County at (772) 871-5132
Hiring a professional for siding replacement is almost always the best way to go. Contractors often receive discounts on materials and they know exactly how to work with the materials you choose and the area you live in. The last thing you want is for your home to be a construction site for months, so working with a professional can reduce that timeframe to a couple of weeks depending on the size of your home.
How To Save Money On Replacement Siding
The good news is you can save money on replacement siding with a little time and effort. The first thing to remember is to get at least three cost estimates from different companies. Always work with reputable and trustworthy siding companies to ensure you don’t have long-term problems with your siding. In the state of Florida the DBPR provides funding to complete your project should anything go wrong with your state-certified contractor. And don’t be afraid to negotiate on the labor costs and ask how you can reduce them. For example, many contractors will reduce costs if you remove the old siding yourself.
The most important thing to remember is to never choose a contractor that is significantly cheaper than others. This is a sign of an inexperienced contractor or one who sacrifices quality. These are headaches you don’t want to deal with.
Work With The Best Contractor For Peace Of Mind
Did you know replacing your home’s siding will improve your home’s value? Whether you’re looking to maintain your home, sell your home or if you simply want a more attractive curb appeal, siding replacement can help.
At db Home Improvements, we work with a variety of siding materials to repair or replace your siding and to best suit your needs and budget as a homeowner. We also have special financing for those customers who would like to finance all or part of their project. When we search for lenders to offer our customers financing, we only work with financing that fits our own 5-star criteria. We use lenders with no-collateral signature loans, stated income qualification, and no prepayment penalties with percentage rates that are less than half of many credit cards today. There is a 30-minute approval with the most secure applications. We are confident in the quick qualification and performance of the home improvement financing companies we offer.
We specialize in wood siding repair and fascia and soffit repair. While the quality of materials is important, we take even more pride in our workmanship and cleanliness. Our customers enjoy our A+ BBB rating and our 5-star reviews representing our quality products and customer service since 2006. We are confident you will love your replacement siding for years to come.
If you are in the Florida areas of Martin County, Stuart, Palm City, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point, or Jupiter Island, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your siding needs.