James Hardie fiber cement siding costs about $16 to $40 per square foot fully installed, including removal, prep and materials, according to HomeGuide[1]. For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with about 1,700 sq ft of siding, that is roughly $27,200 to $68,000. Cost guides that price only the siding itself (no tear-off or trim) report lower figures, such as $5–$14 per sq ft for fiber cement from Angi[2].
Estimate your project in the siding cost calculator (fiber cement preset) →
Why Hardie board quotes vary so much
James Hardie is a brand of fiber cement siding (HardiePlank lap siding, HardiePanel vertical siding, HardieShingle and others). When you compare published prices you will see three very different numbers, and the difference is almost entirely what is included:
- Full project pricing: HomeGuide's Hardie board guide quotes $16–$40 per sq ft installed and says that range includes removal of the old siding, prep work and materials[1].
- Siding-only installed pricing: Angi lists fiber cement at $5–$14 per sq ft[2], and This Old House (using Homewyse estimating data) lists fiber cement at about $9 per sq ft installed, with materials around $5.37[3].
- Material only: Angi's siding repair guide puts James Hardie siding material at about $4–$7.50 per sq ft[4].
So a quote that looks "high" against a $9/sq ft benchmark may simply include tear-off, house wrap, new trim, soffit and fascia. When you collect bids, ask each contractor to separate those line items so you are comparing like with like (see how to compare siding quotes).
Hardie board siding cost by home size
HomeGuide converts floor area into the wall area that actually gets sided, then applies its $16–$40/sq ft installed range[1]:
| Home size (floor area) | Approx. siding area | Installed cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,200 sq ft | $19,200 – $48,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 1,700 sq ft | $27,200 – $68,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,100 sq ft | $33,600 – $84,000 |
For a narrower, siding-only reference point: the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report priced a national-average fiber-cement siding replacement at $21,485[5].
Cost by Hardie siding style
Different James Hardie product styles carry different installed prices because of material cost and labor time. HomeGuide's ranges per square foot installed[1]:
| Style | Installed cost / sq ft |
|---|---|
| Panel (vertical, e.g. HardiePanel) | $16 – $28 |
| Plank / lap (e.g. HardiePlank) | $18 – $30 |
| Shingle (e.g. HardieShingle) | $19 – $32 |
| Board and batten | $20 – $35 |
| Artisan (thicker premium lap) | $20 – $40 |
Lap siding is the most common choice on whole-house projects. Shingle and board-and-batten styles are often used as accents on gables or entries, so a mixed design can cost more per square foot than a single style.
Labor: the biggest part of a Hardie quote
Fiber cement is heavy (HomeGuide puts it at roughly 2.5 lb per sq ft), has to be cut with dust-control tools and needs careful flashing and nailing, so labor is a large share of the bill. HomeGuide estimates labor at 50%–65% of the total[1]. It also notes that each additional story adds about 10%–15% to labor, and that scheduling in the off-season can save 10%–20% on labor[1]. A typical whole-house installation takes about 7–14 days[1].
Add-on costs to budget for
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Old siding removal | $1 – $4+ per sq ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| Asbestos siding removal (if present) | $7 – $10+ per sq ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| House wrap / weather barrier | $0.50 – $1.50 per sq ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| Soffit and fascia | $9 – $34 per linear ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| Corner trim | $3 – $8 per linear ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| Window and door trim | $5 – $15 per linear ft | HomeGuide[1] |
| Building permit | $100 – $500 | HomeGuide[1] |
If your current siding was installed before the 1980s, ask for an asbestos test before demolition; Angi puts testing at about $230–$780[4].
Is James Hardie worth the cost?
Fiber cement has the strongest resale numbers of any siding in the national Cost vs. Value data. In the 2025 report, a fiber-cement siding replacement cost $21,485 and added an estimated $24,420 in resale value, or 113.7% of cost recouped. Vinyl siding replacement cost $17,950 and recouped 96.5%[5]. Those are national averages, and local results vary, but fiber cement is one of the few remodeling projects that has averaged more than 100% recouped.
On durability, fiber cement does not rot, is non-combustible and resists insects. Angi lists a lifespan of about 50 years for fiber cement[2]. HomeGuide notes James Hardie's warranty of up to 30 years on the product and 15 years on the ColorPlus factory finish[1]. Confirm current warranty terms with the manufacturer and your installer, because coverage depends on the product line and correct installation.
Maintenance and repair costs
Painted fiber cement needs repainting over time. HomeGuide estimates repainting every 10–15 years at roughly $3,000–$10,000 for a whole house, and replacing a damaged plank section at about $150–$300[1]. Angi lists fiber cement repairs at about $3–$11 per sq ft[4]. Factory-finished boards cost more up front but delay the first repaint. For damage on an existing home, see our siding repair cost guide.
James Hardie vs. vinyl vs. LP SmartSide
| Fiber cement (James Hardie) | Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost / sq ft (Angi) | $5 – $14[2] | $4 – $13 (avg $8.50)[6] | $3 – $12[2] |
| Material only / sq ft (Angi) | $4 – $7.50[4] | $5 – $10[4] | $1 – $2 (CertainTeed)[4] |
| Lifespan (Angi) | ~50 years[2] | 20 – 40 years[2] | 20 – 40 years[2] |
| Resale value recouped (2025) | 113.7%[5] | not in report | 96.5%[5] |
Engineered wood is lighter and easier to cut, which can lower labor. Fiber cement is non-combustible and lasts longer. Vinyl has the lowest up-front cost. Read the full LP SmartSide siding cost guide and vinyl vs. fiber cement.
How to estimate your own Hardie project
- Measure your wall area: width × height of each wall, minus large windows and doors, plus about 10%–15% for waste[3].
- Run the number through the siding cost calculator (fiber cement preset) for a ballpark.
- Add removal, trim, soffit/fascia and permit allowances from the table above.
- Get at least three itemized quotes from installers experienced with fiber cement, and compare them line by line.
Also see the general fiber cement siding cost page and cost to side a house.
Sources
- HomeGuide, "Hardie Board Siding Cost", Tara Farmer (Oct 24, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Install Siding? [2026 Data]", Rachel Hoffman (updated Oct 9, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Siding Replacement Cost (2026 Pricing) (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Jun 12, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, "2025 Cost vs. Value Report", Zonda (Sep 18, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Engineered Wood Siding Cost? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Jul 20, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How to get and compare siding estimates →
More cost guides
Prices on this page are third-party figures as published by each source, with the date we accessed them. Sources measure different scopes (some include tear-off, trim and soffit), so ranges are shown side by side, not averaged. The calculator uses SidingCostEstimate editorial estimate rates. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
How much does James Hardie siding cost per square foot?
HomeGuide puts fully installed James Hardie siding at $16–$40 per sq ft including removal, prep and materials. Siding-only benchmarks are lower: Angi lists fiber cement at $5–$14 per sq ft and This Old House (Homewyse) about $9 per sq ft installed. Sources accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How much does it cost to put Hardie board on a 2,000 sq ft house?
HomeGuide estimates $27,200–$68,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home with about 1,700 sq ft of siding, fully installed. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report priced a national-average fiber-cement siding replacement at $21,485.
Is Hardie board more expensive than vinyl?
Yes, usually. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report a fiber-cement siding job averaged $21,485 vs. $17,950 for vinyl, but fiber cement recouped 113.7% of its cost at resale vs. 96.5% for vinyl.
How long does James Hardie siding last?
Angi lists fiber cement siding lifespan at about 50 years. HomeGuide notes James Hardie offers up to a 30-year product warranty and a 15-year ColorPlus finish warranty; confirm current terms with the manufacturer.
What adds the most to a Hardie siding quote?
Labor (50%–65% of the total per HomeGuide), removing old siding ($1–$4+ per sq ft), asbestos abatement if present ($7–$10+ per sq ft), extra stories (10%–15% more labor) and soffit, fascia and trim work.