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Putting new siding on your home is a big deal. It’s not just about making the outside look good — it’s about protecting what matters most inside. That’s why it’s important to go into a siding project with real numbers, not guesses. Having a solid idea of what things cost helps you budget smartly and avoid nasty surprises later.
In Illinois, with its wild weather swings, higher labor rates, and strict building codes, you can expect to pay somewhere between $10,000 and $40,000 for siding installation. In this guide, we’ll break down what really drives the cost and give you the know-how you need to team up with an Illinois siding contractor you can trust.
Siding Costs in Illinois: A Quick Overview
For most Illinois homeowners wondering how much siding costs, the answer typically falls between $10,000 and $40,000, with the average 2,000-square-foot home costing around $20,000. These prices tend to run 5-15% higher than national averages due to Illinois's higher labor costs, stricter building codes, and the need for siding materials that can withstand our dramatic seasonal changes. The wide range reflects the numerous factors that influence your final price tag — from material selection to home design and regional pricing differences.
What Factors Influence Siding Prices in Illinois?
When you know what bumps up the cost, you can plan better, budget smarter, and make sure you’re spending money where it really matters. Here’s what plays the biggest role in what you’ll pay.
Material Type
The siding material you choose significantly impacts your overall project cost, with options ranging from budget-friendly vinyl to premium stone veneer. Each material offers different benefits in terms of durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal.
Vinyl siding is still the go-to choice for most Illinois homeowners because it’s affordable and easy to maintain. Insulated vinyl is catching on, too, especially with people looking to cut down on energy bills. If you’re after serious durability, fiber cement options like James Hardie are becoming a popular pick, standing up strong against Illinois’s rough freeze-thaw winters.
Home Size & Design Complexity
The size of your home is one of the clearest factors in figuring out your siding costs. To estimate how much material you will need, measure the perimeter of your house and multiply it by the height to get the total square footage. For consistency, we are using vinyl siding as the baseline material here, since it remains the most common choice across Illinois.
Home size is just part of the equation. Complex designs can push your siding project costs up fast. Two-story homes usually run 15 to 20 percent higher than a single-story home of the same size because of the extra equipment and labor needed. Unique features like gables, dormers, and rounded walls add 30 to 50 percent more, as they take extra materials, detailed cuts, and specialized installation skills.
Contractor’s insight: When calculating siding needs, don’t forget to subtract windows and doors (about 10 percent of your surface area) but add another 10 percent to account for material waste.
Installation & Labor Costs
Labor often makes up 40 to 60 percent of the total siding price in Illinois. Right now, installation rates usually run between $40 and $75 per hour in suburban areas like Joliet and Aurora. In the Chicago metro area, labor can reach $55 to $90 per hour.
These labor costs vary significantly based on project complexity. Simple, single-story ranch homes with minimal trim work represent the lower end of the spectrum, while historic homes with intricate details command premium rates. Scheduling your siding project during the off-season (late fall through early spring) might secure you discounts of 10-15% as contractors look to fill their schedules during these slower periods.
Old Siding Removal & Prep Work
If your home already has siding, there is usually a removal step before the new installation can begin. Tearing off existing siding typically adds $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the type of old material and how much labor it takes to get it off. Homes with multiple layers of older siding will see costs at the higher end.
Beyond removal, preparation work can include addressing structural issues, repairing sheathing, installing house wrap or insulation, and ensuring proper moisture barriers — all crucial for Illinois's variable climate. These prep steps can add another $1,000-$5,000 to your project, but are essential investments that prevent costly moisture-related problems down the road.
Regional Price Variations
Siding prices are not the same everywhere in the state. Local material supply, labor markets, and even code requirements play a role in how much you will pay.
Homes in downtown Chicago and the northern suburbs usually cost more to side. Higher living costs, tougher permit rules, and tighter working spaces all drive up pricing. If you are in southern Illinois or a rural town, you might find better siding rates, but it could take longer to get certain materials or schedule contractors.
Illinois-Specific Considerations
When budgeting for your siding project in Illinois, several state-specific factors can impact your total cost:
- Energy efficiency incentives: Illinois offers tax credits and energy rebates for certain energy-efficient siding upgrades, which could help reduce your final costs by 10 to 15 percent.
- Permit costs: Permit fees can range from $50 in rural areas to over $500 in Chicago suburbs, with inspections often required. For details, visit your local government site, such as Joliet’s Residential Building Permit page.
- Weather protection: Illinois’s full range of seasons — from freezing winters to humid summers — means your siding needs to handle major temperature shifts and moisture exposure.
Factoring in these Illinois-specific details upfront helps keep your project running smoothly, avoids delays, and protects your investment long after installation.
Signs Your Home Needs New Siding
Knowing when to replace your siding can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road. Here are some clear signs that it might be time to take action:
- Water damage and rot: Soft spots, crumbling sections, or visible decay mean that moisture is getting through your siding and could be eating away at the structure underneath.
- Warping and buckling: Panels pulling away from your home leave gaps that let water and pests in, leading to bigger problems if you wait too long.
- Higher energy bills: A sudden jump in heating or cooling costs could be a red flag that your siding is no longer doing its job of keeping the outside air where it belongs.
- Interior paint or wallpaper issues: Peeling, bubbling, or water stains on interior walls can indicate that moisture is penetrating through failed exterior siding — a serious problem that requires immediate attention.
- Constant maintenance battles: If you find yourself repainting, patching, or repairing your siding every few years, it usually makes more sense financially to replace it instead of throwing more money at short-term fixes.
Understanding your siding's expected service life is crucial for proactive planning. With vinyl lasting 20-40 years, wood requiring regular maintenance but serving 20-40 years overall, and fiber cement enduring 50+ years with minimal upkeep, tracking your installation date helps you budget appropriately for eventual replacement.
Taking care of siding problems early helps you avoid much bigger repair bills later and keeps your home's structure strong and its value high.
Professional Siding Installation vs. DIY Installation
When considering a siding project, many homeowners contemplate the DIY route to save on labor costs, which typically represent 40-60% of the total project expense. But is self-installation truly worth the savings?
Risks of DIY
DIY siding installation carries significant challenges that can offset potential savings:
- Voided warranties: Many top siding manufacturers will not honor their material warranties if the siding is installed by someone without certification.
- Missed damage: Professionals know how to spot structural issues that a DIY job might miss, leaving your home vulnerable down the line.
- Tool costs: Proper siding installation calls for specialized tools like brake metal benders, scaffolding, and pneumatic nailers, which can set you back $1,000 to $3,000 to buy or rent.
DIY siding installation might be viable if you have substantial construction experience, and the project is small (like a detached garage).
What Pros Offer
Hiring experienced siding pros offers way more than just getting the job done:
- Full warranty protection: Professionals usually include a 5- to 10-year workmanship warranty along with the manufacturer’s product warranty.
- Insurance and peace of mind: Legitimate contractors carry full insurance, so you are not on the hook for injuries or accidents on your property.
- The right tools for the job: Professional crews show up ready with every piece of equipment needed for safe, efficient installation.
- Faster results: What could take a homeowner months to finish, a professional team can often complete in just a few days.
When interviewing potential siding contractors, be sure to ask critical questions about their experience with your chosen material, references from similar projects, specific warranty terms, and how they handle unexpected issues discovered during installation.
How to Save Money on Your Siding Project
A siding project is a big investment, but there are smart ways to stretch your budget without sacrificing quality:
- Get multiple quotes: Compare at least 3–5 bids for the same siding material.
- Look for seasonal discounts: Schedule during off-peak seasons (late fall, winter, early spring) when contractors offer 10-15% discounts to maintain steady work.
- Bundle multiple projects: Combine siding with window, gutter, or roofing work for potential package discounts of 5-10%.
- Upgrade insulation: Invest in quality house wrap and insulation for energy savings that offset costs over time.
- Choose materials wisely: Consider mid-grade vinyl siding installation or engineered wood options that offer excellent durability at moderate price points.
- Maintain design simplicity: Avoid unnecessary architectural complications that drive up material and labor costs.
Following these smart strategies can usually trim 15 to 20 percent off your siding project’s total cost, without cutting corners on quality or durability.
