
The cost to stain cedar siding largely comes down to the labor required. Learn how you can keep your costs down for materials, and when hiring a pro.
Siding service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Cedar siding installation for your 2,000-square-foot home costs $8,500 to $18,700, with the cedar species and your home size determining the final total.
Your siding style and wood grade affect labor time, with clapboard faster to install than board and batten or cedar shakes.
You should budget $1,000 to $3,000 for old siding removal, plus staining, treatments, and ongoing maintenance costs for your cedar.
Hiring a local lead testing and removal professional ensures your cedar siding project follows safety rules and finishes cleanly.
In 2026, the national average cost to install cedar siding on a 2,000-square-foot home is $13,600. Most homeowners pay between $8,500 and $18,700, with cedar species, home size, and siding style driving the spread. Your total could fall as low as $6,000 for an affordable cedar species on a smaller home, or climb as high as $66,000 for a premium species on a larger house.
Cedar siding costs $5 to $11 per square foot on average, so your wood siding costs scale directly with how much of your home you're covering. Many homeowners install cedar only on the front of their home to manage costs. Costs vary by home size, as the table below shows.
| Home Square Footage | Average Cost Range for Front of Home Only in 2026 | Average Cost Range for Entire Home in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,600–$3,600 | $6,000–$13,200 |
| 1,500 | $2,400–$5,400 | $12,800–$28,000 |
| 2,000 | $3,200–$7,100 | $8,500–$18,700 |
| 2,500 | $4,000–$9,000 | $9,800-$21,500 |
| 3,000 | $4,800–$10,800 | $11,000–$24,200 |

The cedar species you choose is one of the biggest drivers of your total siding cost, with prices ranging from $3 to $11 per square foot depending on availability. Common domestic species like Eastern red cedar and Western red cedar sit at the affordable end, while less prevalent options like Spanish cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar can cost up to twice as much per square foot. Costs vary by species, as the table below shows.
| Cedar Species | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Alaskan yellow | $9–$11 |
| Eastern | $5–$8 |
| Spanish | $6–$10 |
| Western | $3–$5 |
The type of wood siding you choose affects both material and labor costs, with styles ranging from $5 to $11 per square foot. Classic lap styles like clapboard and tongue and groove fall at the lower end because they are straightforward to install. Board and batten and cedar shakes cost more because each piece requires more time to fit and secure individually. Costs vary by style, as the table below shows.
| Style | Average Cost (per Sq. Ft.) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Clapboard | $5–$7 |
| Shiplap | $5–$6 |
| Tongue and Groove | $5–$7 |
| Board and Batten | $6–$10 |
| Shakes/Shingles | $7–$11 |
Where you live affects cedar siding costs through both material availability and local labor rates, with installed prices ranging from $5 to $17 per square foot across the country. Choosing a species native to your region, such as Western red cedar on the West Coast, reduces transportation costs and keeps material prices lower. Contractors in high-cost-of-living markets like New York and California charge more per square foot than those in rural areas. Costs vary by location, as the table below shows.
| Location | Average Cedar Siding Cost (per Square Foot) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $5–$6 |
| California | $8–$16 |
| Colorado | $7–$13 |
| Florida | $7–$12 |
| Indiana | $6–$11 |
| Louisiana | $7–$13 |
| Michigan | $6.50–$11.50 |
| New York | $8–$17 |
| Texas | $7–$14 |
Beyond size, species, and style, several additional factors influence your total cedar siding cost, including wood grade, existing siding removal, moisture treatment, and staining or painting costs.
Labor typically accounts for 40% to 60% of your total cedar siding installation cost, or $5,500 to $8,200 on average. Cedar shakes push labor toward the higher end of that range because each small shingle must be installed individually, while lap siding carries lower labor costs due to its faster installation process but comes with higher material costs.
Cedar siding is sold in grades that reflect quality and appearance, but lumber grading is unregulated and varies by supplier, so it pays to understand what you are buying before committing. Regardless of the grading system used, premium lumber will cost more and deliver better curb appeal. Costs and characteristics vary by grade, as the table below shows.
| Cedar Siding Grade | Examples | Average Cost Range (per Square Foot) in 2026 | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear | Clear Vertical Grain Heartwood, Clear All Heart, A Clear | $10–$30 | Highest quality, often from older and mature growth; free from defects like knots; modern aesthetic | Most expensive form of cedar siding |
| Mid | “C and Better” or “D and Better” | $5–$11 | Rustic look of knots with better performance and consistent visual quality; widely available; less expensive than premium options | Not as visually refined; may have visible knots or color variation |
| Knotty | Select Tight Knot, Architect Knotty, Standard & Better | $4–$8 | Provides a rustic appearance due to its knots and natural imperfections; the most affordable option; naturally durable | Knots might sometimes loosen, crack, or fall out over time; they can have a less uniform color and grain pattern |
Professional siding removal and haul-away costs $1,000 to $3,000, with vinyl siding at the lower end and stucco closer to the higher end. If you remove the old siding yourself to save on labor, you will still need to budget $240 to $500 for junk removal costs depending on the amount and type of material. Siding installed before 1978 may contain lead paint or asbestos, so get a professional inspection before proceeding: asbestos testing costs $230 to $785, and lead tests run around $300 (get quotes from multiple lead testers near you before moving forward).

Finishing your cedar siding protects it from the elements and gives it a more refined appearance, with the cost to stain cedar siding running $2 to $5 per square foot and painting totaling $3 to $6 per square foot for materials and labor. You can buy cedar siding pre-finished, but if you purchase untreated boards, plan to finish them before or after installation.
Cedar is naturally more resistant to moisture and mold than most wood species, but protective treatments still add meaningful longevity to your siding. Expect to pay $1 to $4.50 per square foot for applications that guard against water, mold, insects, and fire, which totals $1,700 to $7,700 for a standard 2,000-square-foot home.
Homes with many windows and doors add labor time to a cedar siding project because the contractor must cut and fit trim around each opening and take extra care installing the waterproof barrier beneath the siding. The added cost is real but manageable, and the total premium for extra openings should not exceed $1,000.
Cedar siding requires more maintenance than most other siding types, so building long-term upkeep costs into your budget from the start will help you protect your investment and keep your home looking its best. Ongoing maintenance costs vary by task and frequency, as the table below shows.
| Maintenance Type | Frequency | Average Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Fireproofing | Once | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Painting/staining | Every 4-6 years | $3,000–$10,500 |
| Power washing | Every year | $200–$500 |
| Repairs | As needed | $650–$2,700 |
| Sealing | Every 3-5 years | $200–$500 |
DIY cedar siding installation is technically possible, and doing all of the work yourself would save you an average of between $5,500 and $8,200. While these savings are enticing, hiring a siding company near you is your best bet for maximum curb appeal and a proper installation that doesn't result in leaks, pest infestations, and other problems.
There are some important upsides you'll enjoy when you hire a professional for your cedar siding installation project:
Pros have the skills and experience required to get your siding just right, which will mean improved curb appeal and even a higher property value.
Experts will know if and when you need siding replacement permits and can ensure your project is legal.
Siding is your home's first line of defense against the elements, so DIY mistakes can be costly and result in water damage, wood rot, and even structural damage.
Experts can recommend finishes and treatments to maximize your siding's lifespan and safety, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall, high humidity, and wildfires.
Only DIYers who have extensive experience with siding installation should consider tackling this project, but there are some smaller, related tasks that anyone can do to contribute and even save some money on labor costs.
Consider removing your old siding yourself and hauling it away, which could save between $1,000 and $3,000. Just be sure to coordinate with your pro.
Have your materials delivered early and stain or treat them before the installation to save time and money.
Prepare the work area for your pros, which can include cutting back vegetation and moving furniture and decor out of the way.
Tackle smaller projects after the installation, like putting up exterior trim or reinstalling decorative shutters.
If you already have cedar siding on your home, you'll need to decide if it's a better idea to repair what's there or replace it. Siding repair costs between $4 and $13 per square foot for cedar, on average, so the cost of repair is similar to the cost of replacement on a per-square-foot basis.
For small sections of siding that are damaged or worn, repair is a much more affordable option. However, cedar changes appearance as it ages, and your new siding won't match. For maximum curb appeal, full replacement is a better option.
Before you hire a siding pro, ask for repair and replacement estimates. Replacement is probably best if your old siding is reaching its useful lifespan or if repairs cost more than 50% of a total replacement.
Here's how cedar siding repair and replacement compare across key decision factors:
| Factor | Repair | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of repairs vs. replacement | Repair cost is under 30% of replacement | Repair cost is 50% or higher than replacement |
| Age of siding | Siding is 10-15 years old | Siding is 25+ years old |
| Siding condition | Siding still adds to curb appeal | Siding is badly faded or moldy |
| Water damage | Few areas where water intrusion occurs | Extensive water damage or mold growth |
| Cracks or splits | A few cracks with no water damage | Many cracks and resulting water damage |
Yes, cedar siding will add value to your home , and it provides an average ROI of 70% , which is standard for all new siding projects. Given the average cost to install cedar siding, you can expect a value bump of $9,500.
The ROI you'll see from cedar siding depends heavily on your location. Cedar is more resilient to water damage and mold growth than other species, but buyers in areas with high humidity and heavy rainfall may see wood siding as more of a liability than an asset. Similarly, wood siding is highly combustible, so buyers may shy away from it in areas prone to wildfires. In these cases, your ROI could be significantly lower based on buyer appeal.
Wood siding can cost more than stucco , vinyl, engineered wood, brick veneer, and certain metal siding options. But if you love the traditional look of cedar shakes or lap siding, you can use the following tips to keep prices down and close that cost gap a bit.
Choose an affordable species of cedar. Opting for a cedar species that grows in your area can save you thousands. For example, a local Eastern cedar or Western cedar can cost half what you'd pay for Alaskan yellow or Spanish cedar.
Install cedar just on the front of your home. For a standard 2,000-square-foot house, you'll save an average of $8,400. However, you may also need to factor in the cost of replacing siding on the sides and rear of your home.
Remove the old siding yourself. Removing old siding before your contractor comes to install new cedar siding will save an average of $2,000, minus the dumping fees in your area.
DIY painting and staining. Painting and staining cedar yourself is time-consuming, but you'll save between $2 and $6 per square foot, or between $3,400 and $10,200 total for a 2,000-square-foot home.
Ask your professional about treatments, stains, and sealants they recommend to maximize siding lifespan in your climate.
Discuss alternative siding materials to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your home.
Ask your pro for maintenance tips to get the most life and value out of your siding.
Discuss any add-on services you want, like gutter and downspout installation, soffit and fascia replacement, or staining and fireproofing services.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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