SIDING COST ESTIMATOR
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James Hardie Siding Cost Calculator
James Hardie is the best-known name in fiber cement siding, and homeowners often ask for it by name. This James Hardie siding cost calculator prices HardiePlank, HardiePanel, HardieShingle, board and batten and Artisan siding on your walls, primed and painted on site or with a ColorPlus factory finish. It adds HardieTrim boards, house wrap, tear-off and labor, then shows Budget, Standard and Premium planning totals.
- Free planning estimate
- No obligation
- Primed or ColorPlus
- Not affiliated with James Hardie
James Hardie Siding Calculator
Four short steps. Enter your wall area or estimate it from your home size. Choose a James Hardie product and either primed boards (painted on site) or a ColorPlus factory finish. Set your labor market, then choose tear-off and add-ons. ZIP code is required so we can match you with local siding contractors. It does not change the estimate. OmniEstimate is not affiliated with James Hardie, and prices are planning assumptions.
Planning estimate only. Not a quote.
Wall area / home size
James Hardie product + primed (painted on site) or ColorPlus factory finish
Labor market
Tear-off and add-ons
ZIP required for matching; it does not change the estimate.
How to read your result
The large number is the Standard estimate: a popular texture in the product you chose, quality trim and accessories, and an established siding company. Budget and Premium are calculated separately with different board prices, labor rates and allowances. Primed boards include a field painting line. ColorPlus adds a finish upcharge under materials instead.
These are planning prices, not manufacturer, dealer or contractor quotes.
Planning estimate only. This is an estimated project budget based on typical U.S. planning assumptions, not a quote or a guaranteed price.
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What a James Hardie siding bid usually includes
A James Hardie siding bid usually has these parts:
- Materials: boards with a waste allowance, fasteners, joint flashing and caulk, HardieTrim boards and flashing at each window and door, house wrap and optional rainscreen furring. ColorPlus adds an upcharge here.
- Labor: installation hours for the chosen product, trim and wrap labor, and a mobilization and cleanup charge.
- Removal and disposal: tear-off and haul-away if old siding is coming off.
- Equipment / scaffolding: scaffolding or lift rental for upper stories.
- Permit / inspection: an optional allowance.
- Repairs and project extras: field painting for primed boards, sheathing repair, soffit and fascia, and lead-safe work practices.
Primed vs. ColorPlus factory finish
| Product | Primed + field paint | ColorPlus finish | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank lap siding | $23,430 | $22,775 | −$655 |
| HardiePanel vertical siding | $20,995 | $20,340 | −$655 |
| Board & batten (panel + battens) | $24,960 | $24,305 | −$655 |
| HardieShingle siding | $27,665 | $27,010 | −$655 |
| Hardie Artisan lap siding | $31,225 | $30,570 | −$655 |
Note: Standard totals for the sample job. Planning assumptions only.
Primed board beside a factory-painted board — alt: “Primed and factory-finished fiber cement boards”
How much does James Hardie siding cost?
In this calculator's planning assumptions, primed HardiePlank lap siding on 1,800 sq ft of wall, painted on site, with tear-off and house wrap, comes to about $25,600 at Standard prices, or about $14.21 per sq ft, within a Budget-to-Premium range of $18,400 to $35,700. With a ColorPlus factory finish instead of field paint, the same job comes to about $24,900.
These are planning numbers, not manufacturer, dealer or contractor prices. OmniEstimate is not affiliated with James Hardie. Use the result to set a budget and to check that quotes include the same scope.
James Hardie siding cost by product
The table compares each product on the same sample job: 1,800 sq ft, one story, simple walls, 12 windows and doors, house wrap, no tear-off, primed boards painted on site and an average U.S. labor market.
| Option | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| HardiePlank lap siding | $9.32 | $13.02 | $18.25 |
| HardiePanel vertical siding | $8.32 | $11.66 | $16.39 |
| Board & batten (panel + battens) | $10.08 | $13.87 | $19.33 |
| HardieShingle siding | $11.18 | $15.37 | $21.37 |
| Hardie Artisan lap siding | $12.82 | $17.35 | $23.59 |
Note: Installed price per sq ft of wall, including field paint. Planning assumptions only.
- HardiePlank lap siding is the most common product and the calculator's default.
- HardiePanel vertical siding comes in large sheets, so it installs fastest. It is often used for board and batten or modern looks.
- Board and batten uses vertical panels with battens on top.
- HardieShingle siding gives a cedar-shingle look and takes the most labor.
- Hardie Artisan lap siding is thicker, with a deeper shadow line, and costs the most.
Lap, vertical panel, board and batten and shingle fiber cement samples (no logos) — alt: “Fiber cement siding products side by side”
Primed vs. ColorPlus factory finish
James Hardie boards are sold primed, to be painted on site, or with the ColorPlus factory finish. Primed boards cost less to buy, but need two coats of paint after installation. ColorPlus costs more per sq ft and skips the field painting.
See the primed vs. ColorPlus table in the cost breakdown above. Standard totals for the sample job. Planning assumptions only.
In this calculator the two finishes end up close in total cost. Field paint gives you unlimited color choice and lets you repaint later. A factory finish avoids painting delays and weather problems, and finish warranties for factory-applied paint are usually separate from the board warranty. Either way, ask how cut ends and nail holes will be touched up.
Link still needed — URL not verified: Exterior Siding Painting Cost Calculator.
Is James Hardie more expensive than other fiber cement?
Often a little, but not always. Prices depend on the product line, texture, region and dealer. In this calculator, James Hardie planning prices are set slightly above generic fiber cement for the same profile. If your contractor offers another fiber cement brand, ask for both prices and compare the warranty, finish options and trim system.
Fiber Cement Siding Cost Calculator
What affects the price of Hardie siding
- Wall area. The biggest driver.
- Product. Panel is cheapest to install, shingle and Artisan cost the most.
- Finish. Primed plus field paint vs. ColorPlus.
- Trim. Most Hardie jobs use HardieTrim boards at corners, windows and doors. The calculator prices trim per opening.
- Stories. A 2,400 sq ft two-story home in HardiePlank with ColorPlus comes to about $34,700 at Standard prices, including scaffolding.
- Tear-off and repairs. Removal, disposal and sheathing repair if old siding is coming off.
Labor and installation
Fiber cement is heavy and must be cut with dust control, so installation takes longer than vinyl. The calculator uses about 4.2 to 6 crew hours per 100 sq ft depending on the product, at $55, $70 or $90 per hour for Budget, Standard and Premium. Trim, wrap and mobilization are separate lines.
Manufacturer warranties usually depend on the siding being installed according to the published installation instructions: clearances to the roof and ground, joint flashing, fastener type and spacing, and painting or sealing cut edges. Ask your contractor to confirm they follow them, and keep a copy of the product and warranty information.
Textures, widths and reveals
HardiePlank and other lap products come in several widths and textures, such as smooth and woodgrain. The width you see on the wall after overlap is called the reveal or exposure. A narrower reveal means more boards, more nails and more labor for the same wall, so ask which width your quote is based on. If you change the width or texture after the quote, the price can change.
Climate-specific versions
James Hardie has sold climate-specific versions of its siding for different regions, often labeled HZ5 for freeze-thaw climates and HZ10 for hot and humid climates. Your local dealer usually stocks the version meant for your area. The calculator does not price them separately, but it is worth confirming with your contractor which version they will install.
Maintenance and repainting
Fiber cement does not rot, but the paint and caulk still age. Field-painted siding will eventually need repainting, depending on sun exposure, climate and paint quality. Factory finishes are designed to last longer before repainting. Check caulked joints and trim each year or two, and keep sprinklers and soil away from the bottom of the siding.
Installer checking a lap board with a level on a scaffold — alt: “Installer leveling fiber cement lap siding”
Tear-off and wall repairs
If old siding is coming off, the calculator adds about 1.2 crew hours per 100 sq ft for removal plus dumpster and disposal fees. On the sample that is about $1,510 for removal and $630 for disposal. Rot behind old siding is common, so the sheathing option adds an allowance of about 5%, 15% or 30% of the wall.
Link still needed — URL not verified: Siding Replacement Cost Calculator.
Rainscreen option
A rainscreen uses furring strips to leave a small drainage gap behind the boards. It can help walls dry in wet climates. The calculator adds it as an option and prices it per sq ft.
Link still needed — URL not verified: House Wrap Installation Cost Calculator.
Budget, Standard and Premium
- Budget: basic texture options, standard trim and independent installer rates.
- Standard: popular textures, quality trim and accessories, and an established siding company.
- Premium: premium options, upgraded trim details and a premium installer.
Questions to ask a James Hardie installer
- Which product line, texture and reveal is the quote based on?
- Is the quote for primed boards plus paint, or ColorPlus?
- Is HardieTrim included at every window, door and corner?
- How will joints, kick-out flashing and roof-to-wall clearances be handled?
- How will cutting dust be controlled?
- What is the per-sq-ft price for sheathing repair if rot is found?
Contractor and homeowner reviewing product literature at a table — alt: “Homeowner reviewing siding product information with a contractor”
Estimated siding area by home size
| Home living area | 1 story | 2 stories | 3 stories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,180 sq ft | 1,668 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,445 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft | 2,503 sq ft |
| 2,000 sq ft | 1,668 sq ft | 2,359 sq ft | 2,890 sq ft |
| 2,500 sq ft | 1,865 sq ft | 2,638 sq ft | 3,231 sq ft |
| 3,000 sq ft | 2,043 sq ft | 2,890 sq ft | 3,539 sq ft |
| 3,500 sq ft | 2,207 sq ft | 3,121 sq ft | 3,823 sq ft |
| 4,000 sq ft | 2,359 sq ft | 3,337 sq ft | 4,087 sq ft |
Note: James Hardie, HardiePlank, HardiePanel, HardieShingle, Artisan, HardieTrim and ColorPlus are trademarks of James Hardie or its affiliates and are used here only to describe products.
How much does James Hardie siding cost? In this calculator's planning assumptions, primed HardiePlank on 1,800 sq ft, painted on site, with tear-off and house wrap, is about $25,600 at Standard prices, or about $14.21 per sq ft.
Is ColorPlus worth the extra cost? ColorPlus costs more per sq ft but skips field painting. On the sample job, the totals are close: about $25,600 primed and painted versus $24,900 with ColorPlus.
Which James Hardie siding is cheapest to install? HardiePanel vertical siding, because the large sheets go up fastest.
Planning estimate only. OmniEstimate is not affiliated with James Hardie.
Frequently asked questions
How much does James Hardie siding cost per square foot?
In this calculator's planning assumptions, primed HardiePlank painted on site is about $14.21 per sq ft installed with tear-off, or about $13.02 without tear-off. These are planning prices, not manufacturer or dealer prices.
How much does it cost to side a house with HardiePlank?
For 1,800 sq ft of wall with tear-off and house wrap, the calculator estimates about $25,600 at Standard prices, within about $18,400 to $35,700.
Is ColorPlus cheaper than painting James Hardie siding?
In the calculator they come out close. On the sample job, primed and painted is about $25,600 and ColorPlus about $24,900 at Standard prices.
What is the most expensive James Hardie siding?
Hardie Artisan lap siding is the most expensive option in this calculator, at about $17.35 per sq ft installed on the sample job.
Does the installer need to follow James Hardie installation instructions?
Manufacturer warranties usually depend on it. Ask your contractor to confirm they follow the published installation instructions and keep the warranty paperwork.
Is this calculator from James Hardie?
No. OmniEstimate is not affiliated with James Hardie. The calculator uses planning assumptions to help you budget and compare quotes.
Does my ZIP code change the estimate?
No. ZIP code is used to match you with local siding contractors. The labor-market selector adjusts labor and other local costs.
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Siding crew finishing a two-story home — alt: “Siding crew completing a fiber cement installation”
Planning estimate only. This is an estimated project budget based on typical U.S. planning assumptions, not a quote or a guaranteed price. Actual contractor pricing may vary based on location, conditions, material choice, labor market and project complexity. Hidden conditions such as water-damaged sheathing, rotted framing or old flashing are often found only after the old siding is removed. Always get written quotes from qualified siding contractors. OmniEstimate is not affiliated with James Hardie. James Hardie, HardiePlank, HardiePanel, HardieShingle, Artisan, HardieTrim and ColorPlus are trademarks of James Hardie or its affiliates and are used here only to describe products. Prices are planning assumptions, not manufacturer or dealer prices.