Siding costs $3 to $13 per square foot on average with installation, depending on the home's size and shape and the siding material. Replacing the siding on a plain rectangular house typically costs less than on a home with more complex architectural details like multiple corners, angles, and gables.

Siding protects your home from any weather elements and keeps the home's interior insulated. Popular siding materials include vinyl, wood, fiber cement, brick, and stucco.

Replacing old or damaged siding typically increases your home value, depending on which siding material you select. Installing new vinyl or fiber cement siding provides an 82% to 86% return on investment (ROI), according to the National Association of Realtors annual Remodeling Impact Report.

Vinyl siding, aluminum, and stucco are the cheapest siding options:

• Vinyl siding costs $3 to $11 per square foot installed, and the cost to replace vinyl siding on a 2,000-square-foot home is $4,300 to $15,800.
• Stucco costs $3 to $9 per square foot installed or $6,400 to $10,700 total for a 2,000-square-foot home.
• Aluminum siding costs $5 to $9 per square foot installed or $4,000 to $16,000 total for an average 2,000-square-foot home. Some new aluminum siding can be installed on top of your existing siding, allowing you to save on the cost of old siding removal. Check with a professional siding contractor for details.

Vinyl, stucco, and fiber cement siding have the longest lifespans. However, most siding materials can last 50+ years with regular maintenance.

• Vinyl siding lasts 50 to 60 years.
• Stucco siding lasts 50 to 80 years.
• Fiber cement siding lasts 40 to 80 years.
• Metal siding lasts 30 to 70 years.
• Wood siding lasts 20 to 50 years.

Your home may need new siding if the existing siding is dry rotting, fading, bubbling, blistering, warping, or showing signs of mold and mildew growth. Higher energy bills may also be caused by old or damaged siding. Contact a siding contractor to inspect your siding and determine whether it needs to be replaced.

When replacing your siding, it's important to choose a contractor with experience working with the specific siding material you want. Some materials, like stucco or brick, require special training and tools to install successfully. Use these guidelines when selecting a siding company for your project:

• Get at least 3 in-person quotes to compare.
• Look for siding contractors that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Get a detailed written contract and warranty before the work begins.
• Confirm the estimate includes old siding removal and disposal.
• Never pay in full before the project begins. Follow a payment schedule instead and save your receipts.

Ask these questions to ensure you hire the best siding company for the job:

• How long have you been in business?
• Can I see a portoflio of your previous work?
• Can you provide references?
• Will you work on the project yourself or hire subcontractors?
• Does the estimate include all labor, materials, and cleanup?
• What other costs might come up during the project?
• Will this project require a permit, and will you handle it?
• How long will the job take?
• Can I stay in my home during the project?
• Can I see a copy of your insurance policy?
• Do you offer a warranty? What does it include?