How Much Does James Hardie Siding Cost? 7 Factors That Influence Price

If you Google James Hardie siding costs, you'll find websites (like Angie's List and Modernize) that claim that Hardie board siding costs between $5-15 or $8-12 per square foot (installed). 

For homeowners, this is exciting to hear, as it isn't that much more expensive than vinyl siding (a far inferior product compared to Hardie's fiber cement).

Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. $8-12 per square foot is a misleading number, as it includes only the cost of the siding itself and the labor to install it. It doesn't take into account the other critical parts of a fiber cement siding installation, such as tearing off your existing siding, installing OSB, installing weather barrier, putting up new trim, or painting.

Once you account for these other factors, the real cost of professionally-installed James Hardie siding is significantly higher.

At Southwest Exteriors, we want you to be fully aware of how much a project will cost before you get into it. And in this article, we'll do just that. 

How Much Does James Hardie Siding Cost?

The short and sweet answer is that, once you've taken all cost factors into consideration, James Hardie siding costs around $18 per square foot on the low end (for a simple, cheap layover from the least expensive contractor) up to $40 per square foot on the higher end (a high-quality installation with all the bells and whistles from a Hardie certified contractor).

Now let's take a look at each of the factors that will contribute to these prices.

James Hardie Siding Cost: 7 Critical Factors

1. Tear-Off

Tear-off is often - though not always - necessary. Unfortunately, once you're in the market for new siding, your current siding is often too damaged to simply overlay new siding. At Southwest Exteriors, our customers require a tear-off about 70% of the time.

The cost of a tear-off will also vary depending on the number of stories your home has.

First Story Tear-Off
The first story tear-off is generally less labor-intensive and involves removing the old siding from the ground level up to about 10 feet. This includes the labor and disposal of the old materials.

Second Story Tear-Off
Tearing off siding from the second story requires additional equipment, such as scaffolding or ladders, and increases labor costs due to the added labor and safety considerations.

Typical Cost: $1.39 per sq. ft. (including labor)

2. Installing OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

OSB, an engineered wood product that provides structural stability, is used as a substrate under the siding. 

While OSB is not always found under existing siding (often just felt paper is present), its installation is crucial for the long-term durability of fiber cement siding. Without a strong substrate, fiber cement siding may crack under impact, such as during a hailstorm. This is less of a concern with wood siding but essential for fiber cement products like James Hardie.

Typical Cost: $4.29 per sq ft (including labor)

3. Weather Barrier

A weather barrier is installed over the OSB to prevent water from penetrating the wall cavity, which can damage the OSB and lead to mold and rot.

The weather barrier acts as a protective layer, allowing the wall to breathe while keeping moisture out. Unlike non-breathable materials like saran wrap, which can trap moisture and cause mildew, a quality weather barrier makes sure your home stays dry.

Typical Cost: $0.65 per sq ft (including labor)

4. Trim

Trim is an important aesthetic and functional component of your siding project. It is used around windows, doors, corners, and other architectural features.

Typically, you can expect to need about 8 feet of trim per 100 square feet of siding. For features like chimneys, a significant amount of trim is needed—at least 150 linear feet for a typical chimney.

Typical Cost: $6.24 per linear foot (including labor)

5. The Siding Itself

And, of course, the siding itself is a major part of the cost. James Hardie siding installation involves precise nailing and caulking to ensure a secure and weather-tight finish.

Typical Cost: $9.67 per sq ft (including labor)

6. Painting

Painting is a final step that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also adds an extra layer of protection to the siding. This is not always needed, however, as James Hardie sells siding that is pre-painted with their patented ColorPlus technology.

Typical Cost: $5.83 per sq ft (including labor)

7. Punch-List Activity

The "punch list" is a document that outlines any tasks or items that need to be completed or corrected before the project is considered finished.

For a siding replacement job, punch list activities might include: checking that all siding panels are securely fastened, ensuring that trim pieces are properly aligned, inspecting for any gaps or spaces that need sealing, verifying that all nails and fasteners are painted to match the siding, and confirming that the site is cleaned up.

How Much Does James Hardie Siding Cost with Southwest Exteriors?

Now that you've learned about James Hardie siding costs in general, you may be wondering: how much does it cost if you go with us?

We've created the simple, easy-to-use calculator so you don't have to wonder. Just answer 7 easy questions for an accurate estimate.

One thing to keep in mind is that we are about 20-35% more expensive than our competitors, on average. And with good reason: we provide substantially more value.

For instance, our warranty covers:

• Re-caulking for any failures for up to 20 years, giving you peace of mind that your siding will remain secure and attractive.
• Manufacturing defects for life (both parts and labor are free of charge)
• Alignment issues due to foundation settling for up to 10 years
• Installation issues for life

Additionally, we ensure that your siding installation is done right by having certified siding inspections conducted by a third-party inspector. This meticulous process guarantees that your entire project is installed correctly. Our complete solution also includes painting exteriors, soffits, garage doors, and more, ensuring a cohesive look for your home.

At Southwest Exteriors, we also offer dedicated project management, meaning you’ll have a dedicated project manager overseeing everything and keeping you informed daily from start to finish. This personalized service ensures that you won’t have to manage the project yourself or deal with the frustrations of coordinating multiple contractors, as you might with other companies.