If you are considering putting siding on your home, you need to count the cost first. Understanding what you are going to pay ahead of time can really make a difference in your ability to get the job done without unnecessary delays.
Generally speaking, you will pay anywhere from $2 per square foot for cheap vinyl siding up to $11 or more for a more expensive option. Aluminum siding can also be considered, and it is generally a less expensive option.
Of course, when people talk about siding for their home, they may be talking about any number of different types of materials, from vinyl siding to stone or even brick. For the purpose of this article, however, we are going to focus on vinyl siding or aluminum siding, because they are typically associated with that term.
Siding Cost Estimator / Calculator
Many people choose vinyl or aluminum siding because it is easy to work with and is relatively inexpensive. If you want to dress up your home and really make it look good, then going with this type of siding is an option to consider.
At the same time, however, it is more than just window dressing. You need to consider everything involved with the project, from the repairs that may be necessary on the existing siding to the cost of labor, if you are having it installed by an outside company.
For those who are choosing an outside company, make sure that you choose a reliable contractor that is equipped for this type of work. Although it may be possible for a handyman to take care of it, it is generally better to hire a contractor with insurance who is bonded.
Finally, for those who are planning on installing the siding on their own, safety needs to be considered. You will be working on ladders and working with materials that could cause harm, as well as some tools that could harm you.
At a bare minimum, we would always recommend that you wear safety glasses and gloves when working with siding. You can also include other PPE, especially if you’re going to be working at heights or working out in the heat.
Let’s consider some of the specifics associated with estimating the cost of siding.
How To Calculate How Much Siding Needed
The method of calculating how much siding is needed for any job is rather straightforward. Quite simply, you have to get the square footage of the house and you can do the calculations from there.
To calculate for siding, measure the height and width of the side of the house that is being upgraded. You can do this for every side or section. Multiply the width by the height to get the square footage.
After you get the square footage of the area you are covering with siding, you need to check the siding you are using to see how much is in each box. This is going to differ, depending upon the manufacturer and even the type of siding you are installing.
From there, it is just a matter of doing the math. Take the square footage and divide it by the number of square feet in every box. You will then know how many boxes you need for the job.
You also have to calculate the amount of additional material that is necessary, including corners and the siding that goes around windows and doors. This should be included in the overall cost of the project.
One other thing to consider is overage. You never want to order only the amount of siding that you need because you may end up running short before the project is over.
As a general rule, you should order 20% more siding than what is calculated necessary for covering the home. This extra siding will account for any mistakes that are made as well as for some left over, in case repairs are necessary in the future.
It is better to buy it in advance now because you can get siding from the same lot. If you try to purchase siding in the future to match, there is likely to be a discrepancy in the color that will be noticeable.
How To Calculate the Cost Of Siding
The process of calculating the cost of siding is also easy, once you have the amount of siding needed in mind.
Take the square footage of the area that is being covered by siding and multiply it by the cost per square foot of the siding itself. This will get you the general cost for the material you need. Remember to add the 20% overage when doing the calculation.
You may find that, at this point, the money necessary to complete the project is more than what you had anticipated. Fortunately, there are ways to cut back on how much you will be spending, including looking for alternatives.
If you had your mind set on a certain type of expensive vinyl siding, you may be able to cut back to aluminum siding and save a few dollars per square foot. That can add up to a considerable amount of money for an average-sized home.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 30, 2022.
In addition, there are other things that need to go into the calculation as well and we will consider those below.
How To Calculate Cost Of Siding Installation (Cost Of Materials, Labor, Incidentals)
Although it may be possible to install siding on your home as a DIY project, you may also consider hiring a professional to do it for you. That is going to add to the cost, but how much will it cost you?
Generally speaking, a professional will charge anywhere from $2 up to $5 for every square foot of siding they install. The cost may be lowered, depending upon the size of the job or the difficulty of the job.
There are a number of things that go into the cost of insulation for siding that need to be considered. Most of these are going to be provided by the contractor you hire but there may be others that you could purchase on your own.
Labor is going to be the biggest cost when you hire a contractor to install siding on your home. You also have the cost of materials and potentially, the incidentals that are needed for this job.
Something else that should not be overlooked is the possibility that you may have to pay to have the home prepared before the siding is installed. The charge from the contractor may be for the siding itself or they may look into it and charge extra if they notice problems.
For example, you would definitely want to have the home cleaned thoroughly before any siding went on. If there are any issues on the current siding, including mold or mildew, they should be cleaned from the home using a pressure washer rather than covering them over with siding. Otherwise, you would just be inviting future problems.
Repairs that may be necessary for the home are also something that should not be overlooked. This could include things such as removing rotted wood or perhaps replacing wood or other material in areas where it is missing. You want a solid foundation and backing for the siding being installed.
It is best if you hire a contractor that is going to do everything for you. Otherwise, you may want to handle some of the smaller items yourself, such as pressure washing the home in order to save money.
Other Things To Consider When Estimating A Siding Project
Putting siding on your home is an excellent way to update the look of your home and even to add some curb appeal. Siding will last for decades if it is installed properly and cared for.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 30, 2022.
That being said, there are some things that should be considered when you are thinking about doing this type of work on your home. There are some things that are out of your ability to do anything about and other things that could be stopped or benefited if you plan ahead.
Perhaps one thing to consider is the season. If you are trying to get the siding installed during the colder winter months or in the middle of the summer, you may not have as easy of a time finding a contractor to do the work.
Something similar could happen if you are trying to install siding during a busy time of the year, as contractors tend to be used up very quickly.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the fact that something unexpected could happen when you begin preparing for the job. You might start removing some old siding or doing work on the home to prepare for the new siding and discover issues that you did not expect.
Although it is impossible to plan for all unexpected events, you should add some money to the budget for the possibility. Otherwise, you could get part-way through the project and suddenly realize that you are not able to complete it.
Using a siding cost estimator is the best way to get a good idea of what you will spend to put siding on your home. It is essentially taking the square footage of the home by multiplying the length by the width and then multiplying it by the cost per square foot. Add in any extras, such as preparation and overage and you have your rough estimate.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 30, 2022.