What Actually Drives the Cost of Siding Replacement?

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Siding replacement is one of the larger exterior projects a homeowner takes on, and the price range surprises a lot of people. The cost of siding replacement rarely comes down to square footage alone. Design decisions, style choices, and the shape your existing trim is in all move the final number. 

Our team at Craftsman’s Choice has replaced siding on homes across the Milwaukee area, and we break down exactly what shifts your quote below.

What Shapes the Cost of Siding Replacement

New siding is a chance to refresh your home and give it a more modern look. The choices you make at this stage carry real weight on the final price. We see three main levers at work: color, style, and the trim that frames your walls. Understanding how each one works helps you spend where it counts.

Design and Color Choices

Color is where many of our projects begin. With James Hardie lap siding, you have plenty of room to personalize:

  • Statement Collection: 19 colors stocked in the Milwaukee market, offered at the best price point.
  • Dream Collection: Roughly 700 colors, painted by job. That custom finish adds to your cost.

Because Dream colors are finished per order, they take longer to produce and carry a higher price than the stocked Statement line.

Pro Tip: If value matters most to you, a Statement color delivers a clean, modern result without the premium of a custom paint job.

Siding Style and Profile

The profile you select changes both labor and materials. Here are the common options we install:

  1. Lap siding: The classic horizontal look and the most budget-friendly choice.
  2. Board and batten: Vertical 4×10 panels finished with narrow trim boards called battens. The added labor raises the price above the standard lap.
  3. Shakes: A layered, textured style that sits at the higher end of siding replacement costs.

Each step up in profile adds labor, material, or both, so the style you love ties directly to your budget.

Need expert help with your siding project? Contact Craftsman’s Choice for a free consultation.

Trim Work That Affects Your Total

Siding is not the only surface that deserves attention. The eaves and overhangs, known as the soffit and fascia, often need replacing at the same time. Matching this trim to your new siding gives the finished project a consistent, well-kept appearance.

Soffit and Fascia Options

When these areas are in rough condition, handling them during your project saves a second round of labor down the road. Damaged soffit and fascia can also let in water and pests, so replacing them keeps the whole system sound. You have two solid materials to choose from:

  • Aluminum: A durable, cost-conscious option.
  • James Hardie: A premium match that pairs cleanly with your new siding.

Planning Around the Cost of Siding Replacement

A clear scope keeps your budget predictable. Square footage, the number of stories, and the amount of trim work all feed into your estimate. Before we start, our team reviews your design, style, and trim together so nothing catches you off guard later.

Key Takeaway: Bundling trim into your siding project protects your investment and prevents surprise repairs later.

Ready for an Accurate Quote?

Every home is different, and the best way to understand your numbers is a walkthrough with people who install this work every day. We will measure your home, review your material and style options, and explain each line of your estimate. Schedule your free consultation with Craftsman’s Choice today and get a clear, honest number for the cost of siding replacement.

Ben Juncker

Author

When Ben Juncker was sitting in his high school career planning class, siding installer was not on his list of potential career paths. As with most people in the construction industry, certain questionable life choices led to a point where they were wearing a tool belt, working with their hands. His path started just this way and he would not change a thing. Those early years in his business of scraping and clawing their way to profitability and stability, have helped him to build a culture of hard work and perseverance at Craftsman’s Choice. Ben started his company in 1998 and they installed their first James Hardie job in 2000. Since that time Craftsman’s Choice has become one of the nation’s top James Hardie Remodelers. They have won James Hardie’s prestigious President’s Club award every year since it’s inception in 2015.