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What to look for on a siding quote
Siding quotes vary 2x or more for the "same" project because material choice (vinyl vs fiber cement vs wood), existing siding removal, insulation upgrades, and house wrap all dramatically change cost. A quality quote itemizes each of these.
House perimeter x height, minus window and door openings. A typical 2,000 sq ft two-story home has ~1,800–2,400 sq ft of siding area.
Vinyl (CertainTeed, Mastic), fiber cement (James Hardie), engineered wood (LP SmartSide), real wood (cedar), or metal.
Lap, Dutch lap, shake, board-and-batten, panel. Each has different installation labor.
Tear-off + disposal adds $1–$3/sq ft. Some siding (asbestos, pre-1978 lead) adds hazmat fees.
Tyvek HomeWrap, Typar, or similar. Code-required under new siding; $0.25–$0.75/sq ft installed.
1" foam or fanfold insulation behind siding adds R-value; $0.50–$1.50/sq ft.
Starter strip, J-channel, soffit/fascia, corner posts, window/door trim. Often 15–25% of total material cost.
All joints and penetrations should be sealed. Specification of caulk type (acrylic vs polyurethane) matters for lifespan.
Fiber cement and engineered wood need paint. Should specify primer + 2 topcoats, or factory pre-finished.
Required in most jurisdictions for full re-siding.
Material (20–50 yrs depending on type) + workmanship (typically 2–10 yrs).
Red flags in a siding quote
Cheaper in the short run ($1,500–$3,500 savings) but hides rot, moisture damage, and pests. Also adds weight to the wall structure, and may push windows out of alignment.
Code requires water-resistive barrier under new siding. If missing, expect moisture damage within 5 years.
Older homes with 2x4 walls benefit significantly from 1" foam under siding (adds R-4 to R-5). If not discussed, you're missing a cheap efficiency upgrade.
Standard vinyl is rated for 110 mph wind. Coastal or tornado-alley installs need high-wind vinyl (rated 150+ mph) or alternative material — quote should specify wind rating.
James Hardie siding comes primed but needs painting for warranty. If quote includes install only, add $2,000–$5,000 for paint.
Fiber cement warranties (e.g., James Hardie 30-yr) have specific requirements: proper clearance, painting, flashing, and install techniques. A quote that doesn't specify these may void warranty.
EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule requires certified contractor + containment + disposal for lead-based paint work. Skipping this is an EPA violation.
Common hidden costs and change orders
These items are often missing from the initial siding quote and show up later as change orders or surprise fees. Ask about each before signing.
- Rot repair around windows / doors ($200–$1,500)
- Insect or moisture damage repair behind existing siding
- Painting fiber cement or engineered wood ($2,000–$5,000)
- Lead paint abatement on pre-1978 homes ($500–$5,000)
- Soffit and fascia replacement ($500–$3,000)
- Gutter removal and reinstallation ($300–$1,000)
- Electrical fixture / outlet extensions through thicker siding