Introduction: Understanding True Wood Siding Costs

If you’re trying to pin down how much wood siding costs, here’s the short answer: material is only half the story—sometimes less. On real bids I’ve built, the biggest surprise for homeowners is that installation labor can match or exceed material, especially with custom profiles and premium finishes. A cedar order around $15,000 in materials can land at $25,000–$30,000 all-in once you factor in skilled labor, prep, and finishing. Off-season scheduling (November–February) regularly trims 15–25% off labor, bulk orders around 2,000+ sq ft can unlock discounts, and pre-finished boards raise material cost ~20–30% but shave installation time and labor. Use the calculator below for a fast, practical estimate, then dive into detailed cost drivers and savings tactics.

Cost Calculator Tool

Material Cost Breakdown by Type

Cedar ($8–$15/sq ft)

Cedar remains the go-to for curb appeal and flexibility (lap, bevel, shingles). Expect the lower end for common grades and simpler profiles, and the upper end for clear grades, wide boards, shingles, and factory finishing. Remember: pre-finished cedar lifts material ~20–30% but trims install time, which can neutralize part of that premium on labor. In my estimates, a 2,000 sq ft bevel cedar job with pre-finishing often prices out more predictably and finishes faster, which matters if you’re racing weather windows.

Engineered Wood ($6–$10/sq ft)

Engineered wood siding (think resin-bonded wood strands/fibers) compresses cost without ditching the wood look. It ships consistent, installs fast, and pairs well with factory finishes. Typical bids land on the lower end for standard colors and on the upper end for deep-tone pre-finishes and longer warranties.

TMT — Thermally Modified Wood ($12–$20/sq ft)

Thermally modified boards go through high-heat treatment that stabilizes the wood, improving moisture resistance and dimensional stability. You pay more per square foot, but you get straighter runs, fewer surprises with cupping, and a premium modern look that designers love.

Shou Sugi Ban ($15–$25/sq ft)

Shou Sugi Ban (charred wood) delivers dramatic texture and color depth. Much of the cost sits in controlled charring and sealing steps. Factor in touch-ups around cuts and penetrations; the finish workflow is specialized and benefits from crews who do this regularly.

Tropical Hardwoods ($20–$35/sq ft)

Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa and similar hardwoods are the high watermark for durability and density. They’re heavy and tough on tools (and on installers), so even though the material line skyrockets, labor can creep up as well—pre-drilling, specialized fasteners, and careful handling add hours.

Installation Labor Costs

Labor is where wood siding swings. On real projects I’ve priced, labor commonly equals the material subtotal, and with custom profiles, complex elevations, or intricate trim packages, it can surpass it. Regional markets matter: the Northeast and West Coast carry higher labor rates; the South trends lower; Mountain/Metro markets vary. Complexity (angles, window density, multi-story access) adds lift. Pro tip from the estimating desk: target off-season (Nov–Feb) if your climate allows; crews are more available and 15–25% labor savings are typical when schedules are flexible.

Additional Cost Factors

Old Siding Removal

Plan $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft for tear-off and disposal. Lead-safe protocols and multiple layers under older homes push toward the top of the range.

House Wrap & Moisture Barriers

Budget $0.50–$1.50 per sq ft for WRB (house wrap), tapes, and flashings. High-exposure walls, rain-screen battens, and premium self-adhered membranes add cost but protect your investment.

Trim & Accessories

Expect 10–20% of the material subtotal for corners, casings, soffit/fascia transitions, vents, fasteners, and color-matched caulks. Custom milled trim sits higher.

Painting/Staining

For site-finished systems, allow $1.50–$3.50 per sq ft for coatings and labor (more for multi-coat dark colors). Prefinished climbs material cost ~20–30% but typically reduces install time and post-install call-backs.

Long-Term Maintenance Costs

5-Year View: Light washing, targeted caulk touch-ups, and spot finishes on cut ends and high-exposure faces. Budget a small maintenance reserve of $0.25–$0.50 per sq ft per year.
10-Year View: Expect at least one full recoat for painted or stained systems in sun-baked climates. Reserve $1.50–$3.00 per sq ft at the decade mark.
20-Year View: Two full coating cycles for most painted systems; cedar and TMT age well if coatings are kept up. Hardware/fastener refreshes and selective board replacements keep performance tight.

Cost-Saving Strategies

• Timing: Schedule in the off-season to capture 15–25% labor savings when crews have slack in the calendar.
• Bulk Thresholds: Ordering 2,000+ sq ft can unlock wholesale material pricing; consolidate small phases into one delivery if possible.
• Finish Smart: Prefinished adds 20–30% to materials but saves time and reduces site risk; on complex elevations it often wins total cost.
• Partial vs Full Replacement: If your WRB, sheathing, and trim are sound, targeted replacement can defer thousands until a full-envelope refresh is warranted.

Financing Options

Most homeowners mix cash + low-APR home improvement loans. If you’re pursuing an exterior refresh that also improves energy performance (better WRB, rain-screen), check for local incentives. Pairing siding with window/door upgrades can spread fixed mobilization costs across multiple scopes.

ROI & Home Value Impact

Wood siding is a curb-appeal lever. In many markets, a high-quality wood re-siding recoups a meaningful portion of cost at resale—especially with timeless profiles (bevel, shingles) and crisp trim packages. The cleaner the execution and maintenance record, the stronger the return.

Sample Project Estimates

Scenario A — 2,000 sq ft Cedar, Prefinished, Midwest, Standard Complexity
Typical range: material ~mid-teens per sq ft, labor ≈ material, plus trim, WRB, and minor removal. With pre-finishing and standard profiles, it’s common to see totals around $25,000–$40,000 depending on trim and access.

Scenario B — 2,000 sq ft Engineered Wood, Site-Finished, South, Standard Complexity
Lower material range and lower regional labor often land total bids near $18,000–$30,000, rising with premium colors or heavy trim packages.

Scenario C — 2,000 sq ft Shou Sugi Ban, Prefinished, West Coast, Complex
Premium material plus higher labor market and complexity can push totals into the $45,000–$70,000 band.

Related Terms, Variants & Questions

• Primary: wood siding cost calculator, wood siding price estimator, wood siding installation cost
• Variants: cost of wood siding per square foot, cedar siding cost per square foot, TMT wood siding cost, Shou Sugi Ban siding price, tropical hardwood siding cost
• Long-tails: total cost to install cedar siding on 2000 sq ft house; wood siding cost including labor and materials; average cost wood siding removal and replacement
• People also ask: How much does wood siding cost in my region? What’s cheaper: prefinished or site-finished wood siding? How do seasonal labor discounts work? What adds the most cost besides materials?

Pair your estimate with climate and maintenance checkpoints in the Siding & Exterior Cladding Guide (2025), then price the upkeep curve and repaint intervals in cedar siding cost & maintenance (real 20-year totals).

FAQs

How accurate is the calculator?
It reflects real estimating logic: material ranges by species, labor ≈ material (adjusted by region, finish, complexity), and optional adders. Always verify with local, licensed installers.

Does prefinished actually save money?
Often, yes. It raises material cost ~20–30% but trims installation time and post-install punch lists. On complex elevations, it can win on total cost.

Why do quotes vary so much?
Profile complexity, trim packages, access (heights, staging), regional labor rates, and finish workflow. Off-season timing and bulk orders can swing totals the other way.

Is engineered wood “cheap” looking?
Modern products look sharp, install fast, and keep budgets predictable—great for projects prioritizing value while maintaining a wood aesthetic.