If you have recently started getting quotes for siding replacement, there is a good chance you have experienced a little sticker shock.
Replacing the siding on an entire home can easily become one of the larger exterior remodeling projects a homeowner takes on. That naturally leads to an important question:
Why is siding so expensive?
The answer is that you are paying for much more than the siding itself.
A properly completed siding replacement involves thousands of individual pieces, substantial labor, removal of the existing exterior, weatherproofing, trim work, equipment, disposal, supervision and skilled installation.
The good news is that there are ways to save money on siding replacement without choosing the cheapest contractor or sacrificing the quality of the finished project.
Understanding where the money goes is the first step.
1. There Is a Lot More Material Than You Think
When homeowners picture a siding project, they naturally think about the siding boards or panels covering the walls.
But a complete siding replacement usually involves considerably more.
Depending on the home and siding system, a project may require:
- Siding boards or panels
- Housewrap or weather-resistant barrier
- Window and door trim
- Corner boards
- Fascia and other exterior trim
- Flashing
- Starter strips and mounting components
- Fasteners
- Caulking and sealants
- Paint or factory-finished materials
- Specialty materials around architectural details
Even relatively small houses can require a significant amount of material.
If you are installing a premium product such as fiber cement siding, the material cost can be considerably higher than basic vinyl siding—but homeowners are often choosing these products because of their appearance, durability and long-term performance.
2. Siding Replacement Is Extremely Labor Intensive
One of the biggest costs associated with siding replacement is labor.
Unlike some remodeling projects where large sections can be installed quickly, siding involves hundreds or even thousands of individual cuts, measurements and fastening points.
Before new siding can even be installed, crews may need to:
Remove the old siding.
Remove old trim.
Inspect the sheathing underneath.
Repair damaged areas.
Install a new weather barrier.
Flash windows and doors.
Install trim.
Cut and install the new siding.
Caulk and seal the exterior.
Complete touch-ups and cleanup.
If your home has multiple stories, complicated rooflines, dormers, large windows or architectural details, the installation becomes even more time consuming.
You are not simply paying someone to attach siding to a wall. You are paying for an entire exterior system to be properly removed, rebuilt and weatherproofed.
3. Your Home May Have Problems Hidden Behind the Existing Siding
One of the biggest unknowns on a siding project is what contractors will find once the old siding is removed.
On a home that is 20, 30 or 40 years old, contractors may discover:
- Rotten wood
- Water damage
- Improper flashing
- Deteriorated sheathing
- Missing weather barriers
- Previous installation mistakes
- Damage around windows and doors
These conditions usually cannot be seen until demolition begins.
A reputable siding contractor will address these problems rather than simply covering them with new siding.
It may increase the project cost, but fixing these issues is extremely important. The last thing a homeowner wants is beautiful new siding installed over an existing moisture problem.
4. Quality Siding Installation Requires Skilled Installers
The siding itself is only part of what determines how long the project will last.
Installation matters tremendously.
Proper siding installation requires knowledge of things like flashing, water management, fastening patterns, expansion gaps, clearances and manufacturer installation requirements.
Small mistakes can eventually lead to larger problems.
That is why comparing siding quotes based only on the total price can be misleading.
Two contractors may be installing the exact same siding product, but the quality of the finished project can be very different depending on how the siding is installed and how closely the project is supervised.
5. Constant Price Increases On Building Materials
Over the past ten years, building material prices have risen significantly. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, overall construction material prices have risen by roughly 74% since 2016, while plastic construction products — a category that includes many materials used in exterior construction — have increased by roughly 67%.
Price increases started largely during Covid around 2020 but have continued to be a normal occurrence with suppliers notifying contractors of 3-7% price increases multiple times each year.
This has led to a major increase in the ultimate cost to the customer that contractors have to charge in order to stay profitable on projects like siding replacement.
6. Large National Companies Often Have Much Higher Overhead
This is an area homeowners should pay particular attention to.
There can be an enormous difference between what different companies charge to install similar siding products.
Sometimes that difference has very little to do with the actual siding.
Large national home improvement companies can have substantial expenses associated with advertising, call centers, layers of management, sales organizations and corporate overhead.
Those costs eventually have to be built into the price homeowners pay.
It is entirely possible for two companies to offer similar siding products while providing dramatically different estimates.
That brings us to one of the most important questions homeowners should ask:
How Can You Save Money on Siding Replacement?
The answer usually isn’t finding the cheapest contractor.
The goal should be to find the best value.
You want a contractor that can provide high-quality materials and installation without forcing you to pay for unnecessary overhead.
One of the best ways to save money on siding replacement is to compare reputable local siding contractors with the large national companies advertising in your area.
A good local contractor may have access to many of the exact same siding manufacturers and materials while operating with a much leaner cost structure.
That can translate into substantial savings for the homeowner.
Don’t Automatically Choose the Lowest Siding Quote
There is an important distinction between saving money and simply choosing the cheapest bid.
A siding replacement protects your home from Colorado’s sun, snow, wind, hail and large temperature swings.
Installation mistakes can be expensive to correct later.
When comparing siding contractors, look beyond the final number.
Ask:
What siding product are you installing?
Who will actually install it? What is the installers level of experience?
How will my windows and doors be flashed?
What weather barrier will be installed?
How will damaged sheathing be handled?
Who supervises the project?
What workmanship warranty do you provide?
Are you properly insured?
Can I see reviews and examples of completed projects?
Those questions often tell you much more than the price at the bottom of the proposal.
Local Contractors Can Offer the Best of Both Worlds
Homeowners sometimes assume they have two options:
Hire an expensive national company for quality.
Or hire a small contractor to save money.
There is another option.
A well-established local exterior contractor can often provide the professional project management, premium siding products and warranties homeowners expect while avoiding some of the enormous overhead associated with national home improvement companies.
That is the approach we take at Rocky Mountain Exteriors.
Our goal isn’t to be the cheapest siding contractor in Colorado.
Our goal is to provide homeowners with a high-quality siding replacement at a fair price.
We believe homeowners should be able to purchase premium siding and professional installation without paying thousands of additional dollars simply because a company has a massive national advertising and sales organization.
Get Multiple Siding Replacement Quotes
If you are considering replacing your siding, get multiple estimates.
And don’t just compare the price.
Compare the material.
Compare the installation process.
Compare the contractor.
Compare their reviews.
Compare the warranty.
And compare how confident you are that the company will still be available if you need them after the project is finished.
A reputable local contractor can often be one of the best ways to save money on siding replacement while still getting the quality and appearance you want for your home.
If you’re considering new siding for your Denver-area home, Rocky Mountain Exteriors would be happy to provide a siding consultation, answer your questions and prepare a detailed siding replacement estimate. Give us a call at 303-377-2801 for questions or if you are interested in a quote.
You may be surprised how much you can save simply by comparing a reputable local contractor with some of the larger siding companies in the market.