How to Estimate the Cost of a Vinyl Siding Project
To estimate the cost of a vinyl siding project, you will need to narrow down which brand, style and color you would like to use. A vinyl siding project also involves assorted trims, corners and channels to direct water and cover joins. Settle on a couple of price point siding choices to give yourself options if cost is a factor. Once you have figured out which vinyl siding packages may be right for you, you are ready to begin calculating an estimate. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measurements
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Make a rough sketch of your project to make it easier to follow and double-check.
Measure the square footage of your wall area to be sided. Multiply the height by the width of each wall and add these measurements together. For an estimate, don't worry about factoring-out the roof angles, window or doors. Add another 10% to make up for the wasted siding when cutting to length. It is better to order more than enough supplies to complete a project, and return the excess later, than to come up short. This will be your square footage calculation for the siding.
Siding prices may be given in the hundreds of square feet sold per bundle. Determine the number of bundles required by dividing the square footage per bundle into the total siding square footage of your project.
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Measure the distance around your house. Add 10% to this number. This will be the amount of starter strip you will require.
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Measure the distance around all windows and doors. This will be the amount of trim required. Add 10% to the total running footage for the excess required.
Take and add only the measurements of the tops of each window and door to get the length of j-channel needed.
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Measure the height of inward and outward corners separately. Don't forget the corners of bumped-out windows, inset doors or any design feature of your home/project which creates a corner.
Pricing
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Take all of your measurements and separately multiply the running or square footage of each item by the dollar amount per foot or square foot of each item.
If you made more than one brand or style choice, calculate an estimate, one at a time, for each of your different siding package options.
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Add the cost of shipping and handling, if applicable, and any taxes.
Add the removal cost of the old materials to the estimate if you are not doing this part yourself. Scrap removal could cost about $150.
Add the building permit of around $150, depending on your local regulations.
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Factor in the contractors estimate if you will be hiring someone to do the job. As a rough guide, many contractors will typically charge the same for labor as the cost of materials.
If you decide to do the work yourself, follow the instructions that come with your vinyl siding. The only specialty tool required to do the job is a pair of tin snips which can be purchased for around $20. This is a lightweight project but is best handled with two ladders and two pairs of hands.
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References
- Photo Credit house siding 3 image by Psycience from Fotolia.com
