Installing vinyl siding costs $13,350 on average. Save by choosing a smooth texture, shopping contractors carefully and doing some work yourself.

Your home's vinyl siding might look faded after a few decades of being lashed by rain and seared by sun. Or maybe you simply want a different look. Regardless of the type of exterior wall your house has, vinyl siding is an option that could be in your price range.

The average cost to replace vinyl siding on a typical 2,450-square-foot house is $13,350, according to a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) survey of its members.

Installation could cost more or less than that, depending on square footage, labor costs in your area and the quality of the siding. The more you know about the costs of vinyl siding, the more you will be able to complete the project within your budget.

How much does it cost to install vinyl siding?

Because it’s made of plastic, vinyl siding can be manufactured in a variety of textures and thicknesses. Both factors affect price.

“Thicker siding costs more and is available in more textures.”

Textures: A smooth vinyl surface costs the least. If you don't want the plain look, you can find vinyl siding that looks like wood clapboard or wood shake, but the material will cost more.

Thicknesses: Vinyl siding comes in various thicknesses (also known as gauges). Thicker siding costs more, is available in more textures and is intended to be more durable. Here are some common thicknesses:

  • Builder grade: 0.040 inch thick

  • Standard grade: 0.044 inch thick

  • Thick grade: 0.046 inch thick

  • Premium grade: 0.048 inch thick

Vinyl siding costs an average of about $4 a square foot to install, according to HomeAdvisor, a referral service for home improvement professionals.

Trim: Moldings, soffits and trim work around windows and doors can add to material and labor costs. They can cost $3 to $6 per linear foot, according to HomeAdvisor.

Labor: The cost of hiring a contractor varies.

Removal: If you have old siding that must be removed and disposed of, expect to pay $1,000 to $3,000 to have that work done, according to HomeAdvisor.

Return on vinyl siding investment

Real estate agents like to say you can add to your home's value by enhancing "curb appeal" — the way the house looks from the street. Replacing vinyl siding is often an exercise in adding to a home's curb appeal.

“Vinyl siding is the most popular exterior wall type in the Northeast and Midwest.”

Replacing vinyl siding recovers about 75% of the cost in increased home value, according to the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report compiled by NARI and the National Association of Realtors. Out of the $13,350 average cost of a vinyl siding replacement, homeowners recover $10,000 if they sell the home, according to the report.

There are several ways to pay for vinyl siding replacement, including dipping into savings and getting a cash-out refinance. One of the most popular ways to pay for home improvements is through a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. It's a second mortgage that turns your home's equity into cash as you need it.

Nationally, vinyl siding has been the most popular exterior wall material for newly built homes since the mid-1990s, according to the Census Bureau's annual Survey of Construction. It is by far the most popular exterior wall type in the Northeast and Midwest. But vinyl siding is rarely used in the West. Keep the material's local popularity in mind when deciding whether to install vinyl siding where you're residing. You want to avoid costly renovation mistakes.

How to nail down vinyl siding costs

1. Keep it simple

Choosing smooth siding instead of textured siding is a way to save money on materials. Likewise, you can choose the thinner standard-grade siding over premium-grade siding to take advantage of lower material prices.

2. Shop around

Obtain quotes from several vinyl siding contractors. Ask for references from former clients, and contact them. Ask if the work was done on time, if the contractor's estimate was accurate, and if the contractor responded promptly to questions, concerns and complaints.

Check with the Vinyl Siding Institute to find out if you're dealing with a VSI certified installer with at least two years' experience who has taken a training course and passed an exam.

Also check with the local building department or state consumer protection agency to confirm that the siding contractor is licensed and insured.

3. Install it yourself

No one said installing vinyl siding is easy, but if you have the skill, a do-it-yourself project can save on labor costs. The same goes for siding removal.