Siding quotes confuse homeowners because two contractors can quote the “same” job thousands of dollars apart — and both can be legitimate, depending on what's included. Here's how siding pricing actually works in New Jersey, line item by line item.
Installed cost ranges (average NJ single-family home)
| Material | Per sq ft installed | Typical project total |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $4 – $8 | $9,000 – $16,000 |
| Insulated vinyl | $6 – $10 | $12,000 – $19,000 |
| James Hardie® fiber cement | $8 – $14 | $14,000 – $25,000+ |
| Wood siding | $7 – $12 | $13,000 – $22,000 |
AZEK® PVC trim — fascia, corners, window surrounds — is typically priced separately and adds $2,000–$6,000 depending on how much trim the house carries.
The line items that move the number
Old siding removal
Tearing off existing siding (and sometimes a second, older layer beneath it) adds labor and disposal cost. Installing over old siding is sometimes possible with vinyl but hides whatever's happening to the sheathing — we recommend tear-off almost every time.
Sheathing and moisture barrier condition
Like roof decking, wall sheathing can't be fully assessed until the old siding comes off. Rotted OSB or missing house wrap gets fixed before new siding goes on — ask any contractor for their per-sheet repair price up front, in writing.
Trim scope
A quote that only covers the siding panels leaves out the most failure-prone parts of the exterior. Confirm whether fascia, soffits, corner boards and window surrounds are included, and in what material.
Home shape and height
A two-story colonial with gables, bump-outs and many windows takes far more cutting and flashing than a simple ranch of the same square footage. Height also matters: third-story work means staging.
Red flags when comparing quotes
- No mention of house wrap / moisture barrier
- No per-sheet price for sheathing repairs
- “Siding” quoted without trim scope defined
- No NJ HIC license number on the estimate
- A price dramatically below every other quote — something is missing
For a deeper comparison of the two most popular materials, read James Hardie vs. vinyl siding. And when you want real numbers for your own house, W&S General Construction LLC quotes vinyl, James Hardie and AZEK trim with every line item visible — free estimates at (973) 536-5505.