There’s nothing more unseemly than peeling paint or badly worn out siding on a house. We’ve all heard the suggestion that first impressions matter and when it comes to the exterior appearance of your home, that couldn’t be truer! 😉
If your siding needs replacing, it’s best to do it as soon as possible. This is a job that is probably best left to professionals, unless it’s something you’ve done before, and you happen to have all the necessary tools including metal trim break, ladders and platforms, plus a handy and reliable friend willing to help. 😉
Cost Installed
On average, foam-backed vinyl siding will cost between $7.50 and $12.50 per square foot installed on a simple single-story house. So, for a typical house requiring about 2,000 sq. ft. or 20 “squares” of vinyl siding installed, your total cost will be between $15,000 and $25,000 for materials and labor.
Some homeowners may opt for a less-costly non-insulated siding option which would cost about $7.50 to $9.50 per sq. ft. to install on average or about 30% less than foam-backed option.
In addition to the cost of the job, you may also have to pay for the removal and disposal of the old siding. Lastly, you will need to take into the account the cost of obtaining a building permit from your local town hall. This cost will vary depending on your location.
Materials Basics
When installing a new vinyl siding on your house, you will have a few choices of materials ranging from basic to premium. In most cases, standard options should work just fine for most homes.
Cost of Materials:
Some contractors may charge more for the entire job including labor if you choose to go with a premium option. On the low-end, your siding materials will cost about $1.50-$2.00
A standard, middle of the road option will cost about $2.50-$3.00 per square foot. A more premium option will cost $3.00 per square foot.
All else being equal, premium colors and styles or patterns will cost more. In addition to the cost of materials, you will also need to consider the cost of building permits, supplies such nails, wrap, aluminum trim for windows, etc.
Important Considerations
Whether you decide to hire a professional contractor or choose to go the DIY route, you’ll want to make sure that a high-quality vapor barrier gets installed underneath the siding in order to keep the moisture away from your home.
In addition to vapor barrier, it’s a good idea to have some insulation installed during the installation of vinyl siding. Talk to your contractor to see if the quoted price includes insulation or a foam-backed option.
Make sure that a building permit is pulled for the job, so you don’t get fined for unauthorized installation.
Normally, a contractor will prepare a site plan and application to pull the necessary building permits on your behalf, but if you choose to go the DIY route, make sure you don’t neglect this important step!