How Much Does It Cost to Install Hardie Siding

The old vinyl on the exterior of your home is beginning to peel up.

It is stained, dented, and warped.

Your home is losing its curb appeal.

You have been looking around and researching what options you have for new home siding and are beginning to think that James Hardie siding just might be for you.

But you still have some questions; mainly about the costs associated with the project.

In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know about the costs associated with installing your Hardie siding.

average cost to install hardie siding

Is James Hardie Siding Expensive?
How Much Does it Cost to Install James Hardie Siding?
Average Cost to Install Hardie Siding
6 Factors That Affect the Cost of James Hardie Siding Installation
Installation Costs of James Hardie Siding Compared to Other Siding
How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardie Board Siding Yourself?
Get a Free Estimate on Your James Hardie Siding Installation With Elite Home Exteriors NW Today

Is James Hardie Siding Expensive?

Hardie siding costs run higher than many other siding costs.

Installing Hardie siding will cost you more in the short term, however, due to its extreme durability, it can save you tons in the long term.

How Much Does it Cost to Install James Hardie Siding?

The answer to this question isn't quite as cut and dry as it sounds.

As with most things, the cost to install Hardie siding can fluctuate depending on :

Where you live
The size of the project
Who is installing it
If you are using panels, planks, shingles, or another form of Hardie siding

Average Cost to Install Hardie Siding

On average, you can expect to spend somewhere between $7-$13 per square foot . This includes the price of the product and the installation fees.

Based on this cost, siding a 2,000 square foot home using Hardie siding would cost between $14,000 and $26,000.

Sometimes, there are some additional charges to be aware of, such as removal fees for old siding.

While you can find a good guestimate, without a full quote, finding the average cost to install Hardie siding is rather difficult.

6 Factors That Affect the Cost of James Hardie Siding Installation

As previously mentioned, there are many different factors that affect the cost of installing Hardie siding.

There is no 'one size fits all' estimate to be given but knowing what costs go into your final payment is a great place to start.

Understanding the…

Material composition
Labor costs
Quantity needed
Style of siding
Location of project
Paint pricing

… is vital to understanding what you are paying and what you are getting .

#1: Material Composition

Hardie siding is comprised of 4 basic ingredients :

Portland cement
Water
Sand
Cellulose fibers

Hardie siding can also include other materials designed to make the product last longer, look better, and be more efficient.

Depending upon the siding you choose, the added materials could vary and might have a difference in cost.

#2: Labor

As with anything, labor costs make up a huge chunk of your new siding.

You can expect to pay somewhere between $7,600 and $11,200 to have a professional install your Hardie siding.

This might seem like a lot but, due to the difficulty of installation, having a professional correctly install your Hardie siding will cost much less than trying to do it on your own.

Another factor to consider when reading that labor quote is the size of your project.

The more siding you are putting up, the longer it will take .

And the longer it takes, the more labor charges it will incur.

#3: Square Footage

The square footage of your home plays a massive part in the overall cost of your Hardie siding.

Higher square footage drives up the costs of materials and labor .

#4: Style

There are multiple different styles of Hardie siding.

These styles include:

Textured panels
Lap siding
Vertical siding
Shingle-style siding
And more

Each of these different styles carries a different price tag.

The best way to find a solid price point for each individual style of siding is to get an official quote.

James hardie board installation costs

#5: Location

Where you live makes a massive difference in what you pay .

Prices vary from:

State to state
City to city
Urban to rural areas
Low-income to high-income areas

If you are in an area that is prone to hurricanes, your cost might be higher because of how Hardie siding must be installed to withstand that type of weather.

Low-income areas usually run cheaper than high-income areas.

Your location plays a vital role in the cost of your new Hardie siding .

#6: Paint Pricing

Once you install your Hardie siding, you need to think about painting it.

Painting your Hardie siding is an important part of making sure it lasts as long as possible and looks fantastic .

To get the job done, you can expect to pay around $1.25 to $3.25 per square foot .

Since Hardie siding is fiber cement siding, it:

Is easier to paint
Takes paint better; and
Generally uses less paint than other siding options

cost to install hardie siding

Installation Costs of James Hardie Siding Compared to Other Siding

It might sound like Hardie siding is a pretty pricey siding choice, especially when you look at other potential siding options .

Costs of materials and labor add up to a pretty ample sum .

But, is the cost to install Hardie siding actually that much more than other siding options?

Read on to learn more about what you would be paying for different siding .

How Much Does it Cost to Install James Hardie Siding vs. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the cheapest possible siding options out there .

Vinyl siding usually costs about $3.50 per square foot.

This price fluctuates depending on the brand, whether or not it is insulated, and similar factors.

For that same 2,000 square foot home, for vinyl siding, you can expect to pay between $12,000 and $21,000, including labor .

Also, you do not need to paint vinyl siding as you do with Hardie siding.

Yes, vinyl siding is quite a bit cheaper .

However, vinyl is also one of the least resilient siding options on the market .

In the event of a fire, vinyl will melt.

In high winds, vinyl can blow off.

Vinyl gets nicks and dings easily and is much more susceptible to Mother Nature than Hardie siding.

When it comes to Hardie siding versus vinyl siding , if you are looking for quality that lasts, you are going to want to go with Hardie.

How Much Does it Cost to Install James Hardie Siding vs. Wood Siding

Wood siding can have a wide price range .

It can run a little cheaper than vinyl.

Installed wood siding typically costs anywhere from $2 to $30 per square foot.

This means that siding that 2,000 square foot home could cost as little as $4,000 or as much as $60,000 .

And that is just for the materials .

The lower costs don't necessarily include things like treatment, staining, or paint.

While wood siding might seem like an economically conscious choice, it is important to look at the durability of wood siding.

Wood siding is easily susceptible to many maladies such as :

Termites
Rot
Fire
Weather
Sun damage

Hardie siding, on the other hand, does not have these weaknesses.

How Much Does it Cost to Install James Hardie Siding vs. Stucco Siding

Stucco siding is a popular option in warm, arid climates like the southwestern states .

This is because it adds an extra layer of insulation to a home.

Stucco, however, is not nearly as cheap as the other options.

Stucco siding costs somewhere around $4-$8 per square foot and that is just for the material.

This means that our 2,000 square foot home now costs about $8,000 to $16,000 .

Again, that doesn't include the costs of actually getting that stucco siding onto your home .

Stucco is a pretty durable siding option.

Like Hardie siding, stucco is naturally fire-resistant, easy to maintain, and looks great .

But moisture can be a problem for stucco-sided homes.

Stucco can also crack and crumble when the foundation of the home shifts.

how much does it cost to install hardie board siding

How Much Does it Cost to Install Hardie Board Siding Yourself?

If you are thinking that installation fees seem to be a huge part of the cost of siding your home, you are correct.

It might be easy to look at those numbers and decide to attempt a DIY .

While DIY-ing some home projects can be a great way to save money and be creative, the "do it yourself" approach to installing Hardie siding is probably not your best option.

No doubt, the cost will be much less, after all, you aren't charging yourself an installation fee.

If you choose to install your Hardie siding yourself, you just need to cover the costs of materials .

But this could very well include more than just the siding and paint.

There is a long list of things you need if you want to put up your own Hardie siding .

You'll need a:

Caulk and a caulk gun
Air compressor with air hose
Chalk line
Circular saw
Cordless drill and a bit set
Staple gun
Speed square
Sawhorse
Dust masks
Jigsaw
Safety glasses
Sliding gauges
Siding nailer
15 gauge trim nailer
Cement circular saw blade

And that isn't all. You still need nails, siding, felt, and more .

DIY-ing Hardie siding is extensive and requires a ton of different materials.

While it might be cheaper, purchasing all of these items adds up quickly .

Additionally, Hardie siding is far more difficult to install than most sidings.

All the holes have to be pre-drilled, the placement is more difficult, and it is heavier than your average siding .

Because of the composition of Hardie siding, it can easily break during the installation process.

These things can add up to leave you with a big mess, low savings, and a ton of work .

DIY-ing Hardie siding is not recommended .

Get a Free Estimate on Your James Hardie Siding Installation With Elite Home Exteriors NW Today

Here at Elite Home Exteriors , we know a thing or two about installing Hardie siding.

It's what we do .

Hardie siding is a great option if you want your house to look great and last a lifetime.

We offer 100% free estimates on your Hardie siding installation .

Let us handle the mess so that you can enjoy the beauty of your new Hardie siding!