The first step in replacing the siding on your house is getting an estimate, which may lead to the question, how does the siding contractor produce an estimate?
The answer is not simple because it involves considering many facets of your home.
Siding Contractor Considerations
When a siding contractor puts together an estimate for you, they consider various costs within several categories. As you can see, while the cost of materials and the type of siding you choose comprise more than half of the total project, other costs do make a difference.
Material Costs (55%) include not only the cost of your visible siding panels and trim, but also the invisible costs of necessary materials like fasteners and nails. The cost of the trim boards, corner posts, and flashing costs will show up on your invoice, as well as other items your siding contractor must use for a solid installation, such as house wrap or weather barrier installation, caulking and sealants, garbage removal, etc. It also includes equipment rental, ladders, and scaffolding. Of course, the vast amount of the cost will depend upon the type of siding you select and the durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal you want.
Many homeowners also like to add insulation as they replace their siding, and this, too, will be itemized on the invoice if necessary.
At Pro-Home Services, we offer many types of siding that vary in price, based on their construction and features. Your siding contactor can help you select the best one for your budget and your home’s needs.
- Vinyl ($5 – $8 a sq ft) Vinyl is a budget-friendly choice that doesn’t compromise on durability. Offered in an array of colors, vinyl provides a low-maintenance exterior that won’t rot like wood.
- Composite Cladding ($6-$10 a sq/ ft) Pro-Home Services offers a premium siding from Alside that provides an economical alternative to other brand-name engineered wood products. Ascend cladding offers the same high-end aesthetics, moisture resistance, and durability as its competitors.
- Engineered Wood ($8 – $12 a sq ft) From the street, engineered wood siding is barely distinguishable from real wood, but it is much more affordable and provides unparalleled longevity and impact resistance from natural and manmade causes.
- Fiber Cement ($9 – $15 a sq ft) Fiber cement siding is composed of cellulose fibers and cement for extra strength and is particularly resistant to insects, fire, and harsh weather.
Labor Costs (35%) are the next most significant part of your estimate. Your siding contractor will calculate the labor costs for your installation either hourly or by the square foot. The estimate will also vary depending on whether you hire the siding contractor for siding removal, installation, or both. Labor costs will also vary depending on where you live. For example, Pro-Home Services is a siding contractor that services the Chicagoland area in the State of Illinois. The average salary for a siding contractor in Illinois is slightly above average compared to other areas of the country.
Fixed Factors for Material Costs and Labor
The siding contactor will use several “fixed factors” to calculate the amount of labor and siding you need for your estimate. The fixed factors concern your home and are beyond your control. They include:
- Square footage of your home
- Home design
- Complexity of project
Generally, a siding contractor will use the measurement of the total square footage of your home’s exterior walls to determine the amount of siding needed for a job. Depending on your home’s design, you may have areas that will not require siding, such as a brick façade, and the siding contractor will adjust the estimate accordingly.
Your home also dictates the complexity of the project. A two-story home will necessarily incur more labor and material costs than a ranch-style one. If you have complicated rooflines, garrets, or dormers that will need special attention, it may also affect your labor costs. Your siding contractor will be able to comment on how the design of your home affects total costs.
Other areas of complexity may include getting access to some parts of the house. You might also need help from neighbors to finish the project. The siding contractor will consider these conditions and adjust the estimate accordingly.
Permits and Fees (5%)
Although it is a lesser part of the total cost of your siding project, permits and fees can add up. The siding contractor incurs administrative time in securing the necessary permits for your project. Municipalities all have fees for siding installation that vary considerably. For example, Flossmoor has a $100 minimum fee for siding permits. Joliet charges a $65 minimum fee. They also add $10 for every $1,000 of construction value over $7,000.
Contingencies (5%)
Contingencies are those unexpected charges that you may incur during your project. You typically have no control over these, and the siding contractor will spell them out in your contract to prepare you, just in case. Here are just some examples of “the unexpected”:
- Weather delays
- Material price changes
- Hidden rot or structural issues
- Necessary design or material changes
- Issues with removing existing siding
Nobody likes contingencies, but they happen. As your siding contactor removes your siding, they will let you know if they have uncovered any structural issues and how they can help you fix it before replacing the siding. They will help resolve underlying issues pertinent of your siding project and either address or call your attention to any resulting cosmetic issues.
How Homeowners Can Minimize Costs
Although there may be a number of variables you cannot control about your siding project, there are many you can. Here are some ideas for you.
Select popular colors and styles. Special orders for unpopular styles and colors often take longer and incur unnecessary costs. If you order the most popular colors and styles, they may be more affordable and available, too!
Install off-season. Siding contractors are all busy in Spring and Summer but may be able to negotiate with you in the “leaner” months. Try scheduling in the Fall and even the Winter months!
Order products before prices rise. It pays to watch the market because current events often affect imports, like construction materials. If the cost of imports rising, it makes sense to schedule sooner rather than later to lock in prices.
Choose the right siding contractor. Rates vary between contractors, but generally, you get what you pay for. Siding contractors with a track record of excellence, a dependable crew, and lots of experience behind them will be more likely to provide you with the most complete and accurate estimate for your siding project. They will also be more likely to deliver on their promises because they have a proven process for achieving customer satisfaction!
That’s why the most crucial way to minimize your costs is to choose the right contractor for your job. Be sure that your contractor meets the following requirements!
- They are licensed in your state.
- They have proof of insurance.
- They have good online reviews.
- They can provide references from satisfied customers.
- They can provide a free, complete estimate.
- They have a good reputation in the business community.
- They are not “storm chasers” from out of town. They do not guarantee their work or stay to fix any issues after the job is done.
- They can tell you how long the job will take.
- They should be able to dispose of the removed siding for you.
Re-siding your home is a big job that begins with an estimate from a siding contractor. If you think Pro-Home Services can be your siding contractor, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 630.790.0800 or contact us.