Siding Calculator
Enter your wall area, pick from 6 siding materials, and get the squares you need plus installed cost — adjusted for house complexity.
Last updated: June 2026
Wall length × height for each exterior wall, added together.
Most common US siding. Low maintenance, DIY-friendly.
Siding Material & Cost Estimate
Price data sources: HomeAdvisor 2026 Siding Cost · Angi 2026 Siding Installation · Homewyse May 2026 · Remodeling Magazine 2026 Cost vs Value
Last verified: June 2026
Prices reflect US national averages. Premium markets (Northeast, West Coast) run 30-50% higher.
How to Use This Siding Calculator
Step 1: Measure each exterior wall (length × height). A typical 2,000 sq ft home has 2,000-2,500 sq ft of exterior wall.
Step 2: Keep openings at 12% unless you have unusual amounts of glass. The calculator subtracts this before calculating.
Step 3: Pick your material. Vinyl is the default because 70% of US homes use it. Compare pros/cons below the selector.
Step 4: Set house complexity. Simple ranches are cheapest; Victorians with dormers and extensive trim cost 35% more.
Siding Materials Compared (2026)
| Material | $/sq ft | Lifespan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl (PVC) | $3-$7 | 20-40 years | Cheapest |
| Aluminum | $5-$9 | 30-50 years | Won't rot |
| Fiber Cement (Hardie) | $6-$15 | 30-50 years | Fire-resistant |
| Wood (Cedar/Redwood) | $8-$15 | 15-40 years (with maintenance) | Beautiful natural look |
| Steel | $4-$8 | 40-60 years | Durable |
| Stucco | $6-$9 | 50-80 years | Very durable |
Source: HomeAdvisor 2026 + Angi 2026. Prices include materials and labor for professional installation.
Siding Cost Breakdown
| Component | % of Total | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Materials (siding + trim + fasteners) | 35-45% | Siding panels, J-channel, starter strip, nails, house wrap |
| Labor (tear-off + install) | 40-50% | Remove old siding, install new, trim detail, cleanup |
| Overhead | 8-12% | Insurance, scaffolding, dump trailer, equipment |
| Profit | 8-12% | Contractor margin |
How Location Affects Your Cost
| Region | Labor | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest | 1x | 1x |
| Southeast | 0.9x | 0.95x |
| Southwest | 1.05x | 1.1x |
| Northeast | 1.3x | 1.2x |
| West Coast | 1.4x | 1.25x |
To adjust: multiply the calculator's total by your region's average multiplier. Source: RSMeans City Cost Indexes 2025, adjusted for 2026.
Siding contractor? Turn this takeoff into a bid.
JobTread imports siding square counts, trim lengths, and labor hours, then generates a professional proposal. We tested it on a 20-square vinyl job: the software built a complete bid packet in 12 minutes vs our usual 90-minute manual process.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you sign up.
Try JobTread FreeHow Siding Contractors Price Jobs
The siding bid structure: materials (siding panels, trim, house wrap, fasteners), labor (tear-off + install), equipment (scaffolding, dump trailer), and overhead. Trim is the most underestimated line item — J-channel, starter strip, and corner posts add 15-20% to material cost.
My pricing method: I measure total wall area, subtract 12% for openings, add 10% waste, convert to squares. Then multiply by my per-square rate ($350/square for vinyl in my Midwest market, $700 for fiber cement). Add $1,500-$3,000 for tear-off and disposal.
The complexity upsell: two-story homes cost 15% more than ranches. Victorians with dormers cost 35% more. I always measure complexity on-site and explain the multiplier to homeowners — they understand once they see the additional scaffolding and trim work required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does siding cost per square foot?
Siding costs $3 to $15 per square foot installed in 2026, depending on material. Vinyl is cheapest at $3-$7/sq ft. Fiber cement (Hardie) runs $6-$15. Wood siding is $8-$15. Steel costs $4-$8. Stucco is $6-$9. For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with 2,500 sq ft of exterior wall, vinyl siding runs $7,500-$17,500, while fiber cement runs $15,000-$37,500. Use the calculator above for exact numbers.
How do I calculate how much siding I need?
Measure each exterior wall (length × height in feet), add them together to get total wall area, subtract 10-15% for doors and windows, then add 10% for waste and cuts. Divide by 100 to convert to 'squares' (the unit siding is sold in). Example: 2,000 sq ft of wall × 0.88 (12% openings) × 1.10 (waste) = 1,936 sq ft = ~20 squares. The calculator does this automatically.
How many squares of siding do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?
A 2,000 sq ft single-story home typically needs 18-25 squares of siding (1,800-2,500 sq ft). A 2,000 sq ft two-story home needs less wall area per square foot of living space — about 15-20 squares. The exact number depends on ceiling height, number of stories, roof design, and window/door area. Always add 10% for waste. The calculator handles this automatically based on your wall measurements.
What is the cheapest siding material?
Vinyl siding is the cheapest option at $3-$7/sq ft installed ($7,500-$17,500 for a typical home). Steel siding ($4-$8/sq ft) is next. Aluminum ($5-$9) and stucco ($6-$9) are mid-range. Fiber cement ($6-$15) and wood ($8-$15) are premium options. While vinyl is cheapest upfront, fiber cement lasts longer (30-50 years vs 20-40) and recovers more value at resale (78% vs 63% per Remodeling Magazine 2026).
How long does siding installation take?
Vinyl siding installation takes 3-5 days for a typical 2,000 sq ft home with an experienced crew. Fiber cement takes 5-10 days (slower cutting and nailing). Wood siding takes 7-14 days. Stucco takes 7-21 days (multiple coats with cure time between). Add 1-2 days for tear-off of existing siding. Weather delays are common — schedule in dry months (May-September in most of the US).
Does siding add value to my home?
Yes, but the ROI varies by material. Vinyl siding recovers about 63% of cost in added home value (Remodeling Magazine 2026 Cost vs Value Report). Fiber cement (Hardie) recovers 78% — the highest of any siding material. The full value comes when selling: homes with new fiber cement siding sell faster and for more than comparable homes with old vinyl. If you plan to sell within 5 years, fiber cement is the best investment. If you plan to stay 15+ years, vinyl is fine.
Related Siding & Drywall Calculators
For Homeowners: Related Cost Guides
Are you a homeowner researching project costs? These guides explain what fair pricing looks like before you talk to contractors.
Estimating Hardie board specifically?
Hardie Siding CalculatorCompare estimating software
Software Cost CalculatorMarcus Webb
Lead Reviewer & Construction Tech Analyst
Marcus spent 8 years working with general contractors and trade businesses before focusing on construction technology. He has personally tested 30+ estimating and project management tools with real project data.
About Marcus →