The Purpose of this Siding Calculator is to lift the veil on siding prices and empower you with ballpark siding price information. So, when you receive your estimate requests (specifically for your home) you will know whether that contractor is in the ballpark or not. If that contractor isn't, it's time to start asking some serious questions as to why that is. An ethical contractor will easily be able to justify their price.

READ ME: Most siding remodels are completed without a problem!  We just don't want you to fall in the category of the ones are filled with problems or break the bank!  So PLEASE, keep this in mind.  A siding remodel is not a scary endeavor to undertake, just PLEASE do your research Up Front!  Then you will come away from the experience wondering what all the fuss was about - and that's just what we want to see!

We suggest that you get At Least 3 to 4 Estimates for your siding... and here's why.
We can't stress this enough. Estimates! Estimates! Estimates! Honestly, do your research up front, before you sign anything. There is the perfect contractor just waiting for you - but you've got to find him or her. Often it takes several bids to find the right contractor at the right price... don't give up, it's worth it!
We have a contractor referral site called The Contractors With Integrity Network™ in which we invite you to request your Free Siding Estimates through. For now, here is more of why you should get at least 3 to 4 estimates...

1. First, an ethical siding contractor will encourage you to get other estimates because:
   1. they believe in their products & services and are not afraid to have competition because they know their bid will stand up.
   2. they understand that by you getting multiple estimates, once they start the job, you will be much more confident in your selections and your contractor choice.  Thus making their job a whole lot smoother and statistically they know you'll be a whole lot happier with your decisions... to them this equals referrals - which is one of the reasons they work so hard to make you happy.
2. Second, how are you (as a potential siding consumer) going to know if you are getting a good deal or not if you sign the first contract that crosses your kitchen table?
   1. this is exactly how most people end up paying astronomical amounts for siding.
3. Third, the more estimates you get, the more educated you will be about:
   1. your home's unique situation.
   2. the products and services that are available to you.
   3. what the typical service charges are for your exact project in your exact area.
4. and Fourth, if you get 3 to 4 estimates and they are all very comparable - you just have to pick the contractor that you identify with the most.
   1. if you get 3 to 4 estimates and they are all over the place in price, you'll know it's time to get more estimates, until you find the sweet spot that best suits your needs and at the price you are looking for.

Vinyl Siding Cost Calculator's Cost Groups Explained

1. Very Low:   Ask Lots of Questions!   It is possible to get a fully legitimate Very Low estimate but there are some things to watch out for and consider.
   1. Watch Out For:
      1. Fly By Night Companies (SCAMS) : Yes they do exist and often they prey on people by offering "hard to believe" deals. Always, always, always check your contractors out. 
         [ read more: Selecting a Quality Siding and Window Company ]
      2. Illegal Contractors : It costs a lot of money to run a legitimate siding company (and I'm not saying I think all those costs are justified) but if a company is illegal it doesn't give you any recourse should something go wrong.  If they don't finish the job, break something, somebody gets hurt, etc. etc. etc. - it will all fall in your lap, regardless of what you have already paid this illegal contractor.
         [ read more: Selecting a Quality Siding and Window Company ]
      3. Beginners : Contractors have to start somewhere right?  Well, maybe not on your house.  Most successful contractors learn while under the supervision of someone experienced... not out on their own and playing with your hard earned money.  But, it is your money and you have the right to do whatever you will with it.  Although, I wouldn't advise it.  I have seen a lot of jobs turn into nightmares for homeowners for this exact reason and ultimately they end up paying more than if they would have picked an experienced contractor in the first place.  Why? Because, often the experienced contractor has to fix the beginners work and we are now talking about more materials, more labor and not to mention the money you already gave the beginner.  Yikes!
   2. Legitimate Reasons for Very Low Bids :
      1. Business is Slow : sometimes contractors offer great deals because they are hungry for work.
      2. Focus on Referrals : many successful contractors have entered into a neighborhood (in need of work), bid a job cheap, did an outstanding job and subsequently sell all of your neighbors siding too.  It's a completely legitimate tactic and for you it's great to be first.  Your neighbors still get a great job done on their house too... but just at the contractor's "normal" prices.
      3. Easy Project : if your siding install is extremely easy, an ethical contractor will cut you a deal "in good conscious."
         
         
2. Lower Range :   Good Deals!   This is the range that most good deals exist in.
   1. As always :
      1. Get competing estimates (3 to 4 is the standard recommendation by us and pretty much all other state & consumer agencies).
      2. Check the contractors out for legality, state requirements & insurance.  It doesn't matter if someone else just checked it... this stuff can change overnight.
      3. Make sure you have great communication with the contractor you choose.   I've seen many jobs go awry because the communication just wasn't there and once things start to slip... things can get ugly quick.
         
         
3. Industry Average :   Right On Target!   This is the industry average for the entire United States of America.
   1. Your averages may vary :
      1. Due to loads of factors.
      2. These are ballpark numbers.
      3. Only make financial decisions based on actual bids for your exact project.
   2. Free Siding Estimates
      1. We have a contractor referral site called The Contractors With Integrity Network™ in which we invite you to request your Free Siding Estimates through.
      2. Our contractors are held to the most stringent standards in the siding industry today!
         
         
4. Higher Range :   Possibly Justified!   It is possible to get a fully legitimate Higher Range bid.  There are a few things to consider.
   1. Keep Shopping Around :
      1. If you get 3 to 4 estimates all about the same price and in this range : Your project probably falls under the legitimate reasons for Higher Range siding project costs.
      2. If NOT Keep Shopping : You can always go back to these higher bids later.  Remember to take your time and don't sign anything until YOU are 100% ready.
   2. Legitimate Reasons for Higher Range Bids :
      1. Expensive Siding Products : No Joke!  Some siding products are EXPENSIVE.  Like some shake Fiber Cement Products are outrageously over priced.  Low demand and troublesome manufacturing will push some products out of reach but, sometimes that's what the homeowner wants so that's what the contractor will give them a bid for.  Most will explain this.  And a way to be REALLY sure is to get several bids for the exact same product and if they all come in around the same price... you know you've got yourself a common denominator.  Maybe you might want to consider other options.
      2. Difficult Install : some houses are just very labor intensive.  Like houses on stilts, difficult locations and lots of repair work.  If the job is going to take the contractor 3 times as long as normal to install siding on your home then doesn't it makes sense that they should be compensated?  You bet.
      3. Extenuating Circumstances : Hmmm.... like Asbestos.  It costs a lot of money to remove asbestos siding - thus constituting a much higher bid.  There are so many possibilities here it would be impossible for me to list them all.
         
         JUST REMEMBER - If you get at least 3 to 4 estimate Requests (more than likely) all of the possible pitfalls will become obvious... yes it's a bit of a hassle to meet with 3 to 4 separate contractors (and maybe more) BUT you don't want to be looking back and saying, "I wish I would have Listened to Siding4u.com and got more estimates - I could have saved Thousands and Countless Headaches."  We really are just trying to watch out for your best interests with our experience and inside information.  Best Wishes On Your Siding Remodel!
         
         
5. Very High :   Ask Lots of Questions!   It is possible to get a fully legitimate Very High bid but in this range it becomes more and more unlikely.
   1. Watch Out For:
      1. Smooth Talking Salesmen : Example: "This is the Best Vinyl Siding on the Market and it normally would cost $50,000 but TONIGHT ONLY I'll let you have it for $25,000... bla bla bla."  Don't fall for it.  No ethical contractor would use these types of pressure tactics.
      2. High Pressure : ethical contractors don't need pressure tactics.  Of course an ethical contractor would like to close the deal in one visit and that's not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about heavy pressure to sign.  Don't Do It!
      3. Countless Gimmicks : I could write a book on Tin Men Tactics but let's just summarize with "If it sounds too good to be true or it smells fishy" Don't Fall For IT!  There are plenty of ethical siding contractors out there to choose from.
   2. Legitimate Reasons for Very High Bids :
      1. Expensive Siding Products : No Joke!  Some siding products are EXPENSIVE.  Like some shake Fiber Cement Products are outrageously over priced.  Low demand and troublesome manufacturing will push some products out of reach but, sometimes that's what the homeowner wants so that's what the contractor will give them a bid for.  Most will explain this.  And a way to be REALLY sure is to get several bids for the exact same product and if they all come in around the same price... you know you've got yourself a common denominator.  Maybe you might want to consider other options.
      2. Difficult Install : some houses are just very labor intensive.  Like houses on stilts, difficult locations and lots of repair work.  If the job is going to take the contractor 3 times as long as normal to install siding on your home then doesn't it makes sense that they should be compensated?  You bet.
      3. Extenuating Circumstances : Hmmm.... like Asbestos.  It costs a lot of money to remove asbestos siding - thus constituting a much higher bid.  There are so many possibilities here it would be impossible for me to list them all.
         
         JUST REMEMBER - If you get at least 3 to 4 estimate Requests (more than likely) all of the possible pitfalls will become obvious... yes it's a bit of a hassle to meet with 3 to 4 separate contractors (and maybe more) BUT you don't want to be looking back and saying, "I wish I would have Listened to Siding4u.com and got more estimates - I could have saved Thousands and Countless Headaches."  We really are just trying to watch out for your best interests with our experience and inside information.  Best Wishes On Your Siding Remodel!