One of the most common questions homeowners ask us at Elmans Contractors is simple:
“How much does siding cost?”
But the real answer is more complex than a single number — especially in Richmond, Virginia, where home styles, climate conditions, and material choices vary widely.
If you’re searching for:
This guide will give you clear, realistic pricing ranges, explain what actually drives siding costs, and help you avoid common (and expensive) mistakes.
At Elmans Contractors, we believe homeowners deserve transparent information, not misleading “starting at” numbers.
Siding is not priced the same way as flooring or paint. Two homes with the same square footage can have very different siding costs due to:
That’s why understanding siding pricing starts with square footage + real-world variables.
A siding project covering 3,000 square feet is considered a large exterior renovation, typically seen on:
Vinyl siding:
💲 $15,000 – $27,000
Fiber cement (James Hardie):
💲 $27,000 – $45,000
Engineered wood:
💲 $24,000 – $40,000
The price difference depends on:
A 3,000 sq ft home with minimal trim and easy access will cost significantly less than a home with intricate details and multiple elevations.
A 1,200 sq ft siding project is common for:
Vinyl siding:
💲 $7,000 – $12,000
Fiber cement siding:
💲 $11,000 – $18,000
Engineered wood siding:
💲 $10,000 – $16,000
Smaller projects do not always scale down proportionally in price because:
This is why professional installation matters — shortcuts are more common on smaller jobs.
This is one of the most searched questions — and one of the most misunderstood.
💲 $6,000 – $10,000
This includes:
At Elmans Contractors, we don’t install vinyl siding as a cosmetic layer — we install it as a protective system.
This is a critical question — and one many homeowners get wrong.
A 2,000 sq ft house does NOT need 2,000 sq ft of siding.
Square footage refers to interior living space, not exterior wall coverage.
To determine siding needs, contractors calculate:
Most 2,000 sq ft homes require:
📐 1,600 – 2,400 sq ft of siding
Depending on:
Vinyl siding:
💲 $10,000 – $20,000
Fiber cement siding:
💲 $18,000 – $35,000
Engineered wood:
💲 $16,000 – $30,000
The only way to know exact numbers is with a professional exterior measurement.
Removing old siding adds labor and disposal costs.
Hidden rot, moisture damage, or insect damage must be addressed — ignoring it leads to failure.
Trim work often adds 20–30% to total cost.
Two-story homes and steep grades increase labor time and safety requirements.
Richmond homes face:
This means siding systems must include:
Cheap installations fail quickly in Virginia’s climate.
We regularly repair siding installed by:
Common failures include:
Siding is a long-term investment — not a cosmetic upgrade.
At Elmans Contractors, siding is one of our core services.
We bring:
✔ Local Richmond experience
✔ Knowledge of Virginia building codes
✔ Proper moisture-management techniques
✔ Clean, professional job sites
✔ Transparent pricing
✔ No shortcuts
We treat siding as a protective system, not just panels on a wall.
To get a real number — not a guess — you need:
Online calculators are estimates only. A professional evaluation saves money long-term.
Yes, but not always the best long-term value.
Yes — siding replacement consistently ranks high for ROI.
Most projects take 1–2 weeks, depending on size and complexity.
Often, yes. A professional contractor handles this.
Be cautious of:
Quality siding costs money — but poor siding costs more.
If you’re asking:
The real answer depends on your home, materials, and installer.
At Elmans Contractors, we provide honest guidance, professional installation, and results built to last in Richmond’s climate.
📍 Serving Richmond, VA and surrounding areas
🏠 Vinyl • Fiber Cement • Engineered Wood Siding
🛠 Licensed • Insured • Local Experts