How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost Per Square Foot?
If you're pricing out new siding, the national average runs $7.32 to $13 per square foot installed. For a typical 1,500-square-foot house (wall area, not floor area), that works out to roughly $11,000 to $19,500. A 2,000-square-foot house lands between $14,600 and $26,000.
But those national numbers only tell part of the story. Where you live, what you're tearing off, and the quality of vinyl you pick will swing that price more than you expect.
What's Actually in That Price
The sticker price isn't just siding. Here's where your money goes on a per-square-foot basis:
- Vinyl siding material: $0.12–$0.19
- Labor (basic install): $1.54–$3.67
- Job supplies (caulk, nails, flashing): $0.02–$0.02
- Equipment allowance (scaffolding, saws, lifts): $3.35–$5.66
- Remove old siding (if needed): $0.02–$0.05
- Debris disposal: $2.28–$2.92
The biggest surprise for most homeowners? Equipment and disposal together can eat up half the total cost. That's not markup—it's the reality of running a crew with ladders, dumpsters, and insurance.
What You'll Pay in Your City
Vinyl siding costs vary wildly by metro. Here's the real spread across 20 major US cities:
| City | Per Sq Ft (Installed) |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $8.42–$15 |
| San Francisco, CA | $8.19–$14 |
| Seattle, WA | $8.06–$14 |
| Chicago, IL | $7.95–$14 |
| Boston, MA | $7.95–$14 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $7.81–$14 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $7.69–$13 |
| San Diego, CA | $7.69–$13 |
| Denver, CO | $7.20–$12 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $7.20–$12 |
| Atlanta, GA | $7.10–$12 |
| Houston, TX | $7.05–$12 |
| Dallas, TX | $7.05–$12 |
| Austin, TX | $6.97–$12 |
| San Antonio, TX | $6.99–$12 |
A homeowner in Columbus, Ohio reported paying around $9,500 for a 1,500-square-foot ranch—right in line with that city's $7.25–$12 range. Meanwhile, a Massachusetts homeowner with a two-story 1,800-square-foot house was told to expect $40,000–$60,000, which works out to about $22–$33 per square foot. That's high even for Boston's range, but it shows how complexity (two stories, steep rooflines, trim work) can push you to the top end fast.
What Real Homeowners Are Saying
The Reddit threads tell a consistent story: sticker shock is real, but the quotes aren't crazy.
One homeowner with a 900-square-foot house got a $17,000 quote for top-tier CertainTeed vinyl, plus $9,000 for the garage. That's roughly $19 per square foot for premium material on a small house. A flipper in the same thread noted that a 1,200-square-foot home with a detached garage ran them a little over $20,000—about $5 per wall-foot, which aligns with the national labor-and-materials average for mid-grade work.
Another caution: don't confuse floor area with wall area. A 1,000-square-foot house might have 1,200–1,500 square feet of siding, depending on the number of stories and roof pitch. One Halifax homeowner got two quotes around $30,000 for a small 1,000-square-foot house and thought it was insane—until other homeowners pointed out that the wall area was likely double the floor area. Pre-pandemic, someone paid $20,000 for twice the house.
A carpenter on r/Carpentry quoted $2,400 to strip and reside a 1,600-square-foot house with 25–30-foot gable peaks. Other pros told him he was charging too little—$25/hour for that kind of work is low, and they'd bill $160–$250 per "square" (100 square feet) for new construction alone.
How to Get a Fair Price Without Getting Burned
Three things matter more than shopping the lowest bid:
Get three quotes, not two. One Columbus homeowner found that quotes for their 1,500-square-foot ranch ranged from $7,000 to $15,000. That's a $8,000 spread for the same house. The middle quote ($9,500) was the winner.
Know what you're tearing off. If you have painted or failing siding, removal costs are real. A carpenter in the Reddit thread quoted $2,400 for 1,600 square feet including strip and disposal. That's $1.50 per square foot just for the tear-off—and he was undercharging.
Don't assume bigger is always cheaper. Small houses (under 1,000 square feet) often cost more per square foot because the crew still needs to mobilize, rent equipment, and spend a full day or two on site. That $17,000 quote for a 900-square-foot house isn't as crazy as it sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does vinyl siding cost for a 2,000 sq ft house?
Nationally, expect $14,600 to $26,000 installed. In a cheaper market like San Antonio, you might hit the low end; in New York or San Francisco, you'll be closer to $30,000.
What's the labor cost to install vinyl siding per square foot?
Labor alone runs $1.54–$3.67 per square foot. Some pros charge by the "square" (100 sq ft) at $150–$250 for basic install, more if there's tear-off or complex rooflines.
Is Home Depot vinyl siding installation cheaper?
Home Depot subcontracts to local installers. Their pricing is usually competitive, but you're paying for the convenience of a single point of contact. You'll often get a better price from a local crew—just vet them thoroughly.
How much does vinyl siding cost for a 1,500 sq ft house?
Plan on $11,000 to $19,500 installed. A Columbus homeowner paid $9,500, but prices have climbed since then due to material and labor inflation.
Does that $17,000 quote for a 900 sq ft house sound right?
For premium material like CertainTeed on a small house, yes. The per-square-foot cost is higher on small jobs because the crew's fixed costs don't shrink. It's not a rip-off—it's the economics of a short job.
Bottom Line
These are reference ranges, not a quote. Your actual cost depends on your local labor market, the condition of your existing siding, and the quality of vinyl you choose. Get three itemized estimates, ask about disposal and equipment fees upfront, and don't let a high per-square-foot number on a small house scare you off—it's normal.