Cedar Siding Replacement Cost: What Homeowners Actually Pay in 2026

Replacing cedar siding is one of the bigger exterior projects a homeowner can take on — and the price range is wide. Most U.S. homeowners spend somewhere between $6 and $18 per square foot installed, depending on the cedar species, board profile, prep work required, and where they live. On a 1,500-square-foot home (roughly 15 squares of wall area after deducting windows and doors), that translates to a total project estimate of $9,000–$27,000 or more. The numbers below are estimates as of 2026 and vary by region, contractor, and site conditions. Always get at least three quotes from licensed local siding contractors.

Cedar Siding Cost per Square Foot: The Key Variables

Cedar is not a single product. Costs shift based on species, grade, and profile — before labor even enters the picture.

• Western red cedar: The most common choice for siding. Clear grades (no knots) run significantly more than knotty or #2 grades. Expect material costs of roughly $3–$8 per square foot for standard lap boards.
• Eastern white cedar: Often used in shingle or shake form, especially in the Northeast. Slightly softer than western red cedar; comparable material pricing but regional availability affects cost.
• Profile matters: Beveled lap (clapboard), tongue-and-groove, board and batten, and cedar shingles/shakes each carry different material and labor rates. Shingles are more labor-intensive to install than flat lap siding.
• Grade: Clear (no visible knots), A-grade, and STK (select tight knot) command a premium over #2 common. The difference can be $2–$4 per square foot in material alone.

What's Included in the Total Replacement Cost

A full cedar siding replacement is more than boards and nails. Understanding what goes into a contractor's quote helps you compare bids accurately.

Old Siding Removal and Disposal

Stripping existing siding adds $1–$3 per square foot to the project depending on the material being removed. Wood and vinyl come off faster than stucco or multiple layered installations. Disposal fees for the dumpster or haul-away typically run a few hundred dollars on a standard house — your quote should specify whether that's included. If the existing siding is pre-1980 and you haven't had it tested, note that some older painted or composite products may contain hazardous materials; a certified inspector can rule that out before demolition begins.

Sheathing, House Wrap, and Wall Prep

Once old siding is off, contractors inspect the sheathing (the structural panel layer beneath). Rotted or damaged sheathing boards must be replaced — typically $2–$5 per square foot for OSB or plywood, plus labor. A water-resistive barrier (house wrap or felt paper) goes on before new siding; if the existing wrap is torn or absent, replacing it adds cost but is worth doing for moisture protection. Flashing around windows, doors, and penetrations should be inspected and replaced where needed.

Cedar Board Installation

Labor for cedar siding installation typically runs $3–$7 per square foot depending on profile complexity and regional labor markets. Cedar shingles and shakes take longer per square than lap boards because each piece is individually hand-nailed. Multi-story homes add to scaffolding and safety costs. Corners, windows, and trim details (J-channel, corner boards, fascia, soffit work) are often billed separately or as line items.

Finishing: Staining, Priming, and Painting

Raw cedar needs a finish to perform over time. Pre-primed cedar boards are available and save a step. A full prime-and-paint job adds roughly $1.50–$3.50 per square foot in labor and materials. Penetrating stain (a popular choice for cedar because it lets the grain show) runs similarly. Some contractors bundle finishing into the siding quote; others price it separately. Clarify this before signing.

Cedar Siding Replacement Cost by House Size

These ranges assume a full replacement with standard lap cedar, moderate wall prep, house wrap, and paint or stain. They are ballpark estimates — not quotes.

• Small home (~1,000 sq ft of wall area / ~10 squares): $7,000–$16,000 installed
• Medium home (~1,500 sq ft of wall area / ~15 squares): $10,000–$24,000 installed
• Large home (~2,200 sq ft of wall area / ~22 squares): $15,000–$36,000 installed
• Cedar shingles (same house sizes): Add roughly 20–35% to these ranges due to higher labor time per square.

A quick note on measuring: „squares" in siding estimates equal 100 square feet of wall surface. To estimate your wall area, measure the perimeter of your home, multiply by the wall height, then subtract windows and door openings (typically 15–20% of gross wall area on most houses).

Factors That Push Cedar Siding Costs Higher

• Two-story or taller homes: Scaffolding or boom lift rental adds to labor costs and slows the crew down.
• Extensive rot or moisture damage: Hidden rot behind old siding is the biggest budget wildcard. Some contractors charge a contingency allowance per linear foot of framing replaced.
• Architectural complexity: Gables, bay windows, dormers, and irregular angles require more cuts, more waste, and more skilled labor time.
• High-cost labor markets: San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Seattle labor rates run well above the national average. Rural Midwest or Southeast markets trend lower.
• Clear-grade or FSC-certified cedar: Premium lumber grades can nearly double the material cost compared to STK or #2 grades.
• Custom profiles: Tongue-and-groove vertical siding or wide-reveal shiplap boards may need special-order lumber with longer lead times and higher per-board pricing.

Partial Replacement vs. Full Cedar Siding Replacement

Not every cedar siding project is a full tear-off. Sometimes only sections of the house — typically the lower courses, a gable, or the north-facing wall — have deteriorated while the rest is sound.

Partial replacement is less expensive up front but comes with a matching challenge: cedar weathers and grays over time, so new boards rarely match existing aged siding in color, even when stained identically. If visual consistency matters, a full replacement is easier to execute. If the house will be fully repainted or stained after the repair, partial replacement is usually fine.

Contractors typically have a minimum charge for small patch jobs — often equivalent to 2–4 squares of work regardless of actual area — so a handful of damaged boards replaced individually can cost more per square foot than part of a larger project.

How to Get Accurate Bids for Cedar Siding Replacement

Getting three quotes from licensed, insured siding contractors in your area is the standard advice — and it's worth following. But to make those bids comparable, ask each contractor to itemize the same scope:

• Old siding removal and disposal: included or separate line item?
• Sheathing and house wrap inspection: what's the per-board rate if replacement is needed?
• Cedar species, grade, and profile: make sure all bids specify the same product so you're comparing apples to apples.
• Finish coat: is prime-and-paint or stain included, or priced separately?
• Trim, fascia, and soffit: which areas are in scope?
• Warranty: what does the contractor warranty on labor, and what does the lumber supplier warranty on the cedar?

A bid that's significantly lower than the others almost always reflects a different scope, a lower-grade material, or an unlicensed crew. Check contractor licenses through your state's contractor licensing board and verify insurance before any work starts.

Cedar Siding Maintenance Costs After Replacement

The replacement project isn't the end of the cedar cost story. Cedar is a living wood product that reacts to moisture and UV, so ongoing maintenance is part of ownership.

• Re-staining or repainting: typically needed every 5–10 years depending on climate, sun exposure, and product used. A full exterior repaint on a 2,000-sq-ft home runs several thousand dollars in most markets.
• Caulk and joint inspection: annual check of caulk lines around trim, windows, and board ends prevents the moisture infiltration that causes rot.
• Board-level repairs: cedar boards that are cracked or cupping can often be individually replaced without disturbing surrounding siding — one of cedar's practical advantages over other materials.
• Mildew treatment: In humid climates, cedar can develop mildew on the surface. A diluted bleach-and-water wash before repainting handles it; severe cases may need a professional cleaning.