How Much Does It Cost to Repair Wood Siding?

Average Cost to Repair Wood Siding

Wood Siding Repair Prices

Generally, it costs about $5,000 to buy 1,500 square feet worth of wood siding, which comes out to about $3.33 per square foot. The median size of a home in the United States is around 2,300 square feet, so if you’re closer to that average, your repair job may cost around $7,500.

However, keep in mind that you may not need to pay to repair the entire house. If your siding has become worn by the elements, you’ll need to replace everything, but sometimes the damage is localized and you may only need to repair one side of your home. So if you have a 2,300-square-foot home with four equal sides, and only one side has damage, it may only cost you a little less than $1,800 for materials (about a quarter of $7,500).

Keep in mind that this is just for materials and these prices don’t include labor.

In addition, you need the proper tools to repair the siding if you don't have them already. Here are some of the tools you need to repair wood siding and their average costs:

• Ladder: $130–$350

• Utility knife: $10–$15

• Safety glasses: $10–$30

• Mask: $15–$25

• Miter saw: $150–$400

• Tape measure: $5–$15

• Siding nails: $30–$70

• Caulking: $20–$50

• Primer and paint: $2–$6 per square

Wood Siding Repair Labor Costs

Expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for labor to repair 1,500 square feet of siding. You could save money by removing the wood yourself while hiring a siding repair professional near you. However, be aware that there may be local fees and waste removal guidelines, and homes built prior to 1978 may have lead paint on the siding that requires extra care.

Wood Siding Repair Cost by Type of Damage

The type of damage you’re dealing with will impact the final cost of the project. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences:

Wear and Tear

If your home's siding has reached the end of its lifespan, the cost to install new siding is $7,000 to $23,000 for an average-sized home. How long your siding lasts depends on the type of wood, the climate, and how well it was installed and maintained. But eventually, even the best wood siding needs to be replaced.

Pest Damage

If termites have gotten into your siding and caused significant damage, you'll need to replace it. Fortunately, termites are likely to be localized to one area, so you may only need to get a quarter of your total siding repaired on average, for a cost range of $2,000 to $6,000. You'll also need to account for the cost of pest control to get rid of the termites. Termite treatment costs between $220 and $920.

Poor Installation

If the siding wasn't properly installed, you'll probably have to get it all replaced at $7,000 to $23,000. However, if you hired someone to do this job, you may be able to get them to fix it at their own expense. A long-term inferior installation can cause moisture damage to your property, which is expensive to remedy.

Blunt Force Damage

Your siding may have gotten damaged in a single incident, such as if a tree fell against it in a storm, or someone accidentally bumped into the side of the house with the riding mower. In this case, the damage is likely localized and, if it's small enough, it may only cost you a few hundred dollars to fix.

Wood Siding Repair Cost Factors

There are four main factors that drive the price of wood siding repair: what type of wood you use, labor, how much square footage needs to be repaired, and how extensive the damage is to your siding.

Type of Wood

The type of wood you choose has a huge impact on the cost of your siding repair. Woods such as pine and cypress are relatively inexpensive, costing only $1 to $5 per square foot. But if you use more expensive wood like douglas fir or redwood, you may pay up to $15 per square foot for the wood.

Labor

Labor can cost up to $50 per hour. However, you should be aware that even if you do it yourself, you may not save much money. That's because if you don't already have the tools, you'll have to buy them all, including ladders and miter saws that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Square Footage

It costs an average of $7.50 per square foot to install wood siding. The more square footage you need repairing, the longer it takes a professional to get the job done, and therefore the more you'll pay for the labor and the more materials required.

Extent of Damage

The type of damage to your siding is a significant cost factor. Patching a hole or driving in a few nails will only cost you a few dollars, but if there's extensive rot and damage, expect to pay $7.50 per square foot, all-in to replace the siding.

Cost to Repair Wood Siding Yourself

If you've got the tools already and it's a small job, it may cost you only $100 for the whole project in terms of new wood siding, siding nails, primer, and paint.

If it's a big job involving replacing a large section of siding due to significant damage, and you don't have the tools to get the job done (and therefore have to buy them all), you could end up paying $5,000 or more to replace 1,500 square feet of siding.

DIY vs. Hire a Siding Repair Pro

You could potentially repair siding yourself. However, there are a number of safety considerations, such as getting up on a tall ladder and using a saw. If you’re inexperienced or uncomfortable doing either of these things, it’s best to avoid DIYing. Plus, keep in mind that a professional has the tools and expertise to get the job done right the first time. If it's a simple job and you've got the tools, it may be worth trying it on your own. But you're best leaving the big jobs to a pro.

Contact a siding repair professional in your area to get a consultation and a quote, and then make a decision once you have that information. Remember, getting siding installation wrong can reduce the lifespan of your siding and cause serious moisture damage to your property.

FAQs

How much does it cost to repair one piece of siding?

It will cost you between $100 and $200 to patch a simple hole or crack in your siding. To patch the area, you need to clean out the hole, sand it down to remove splinters, apply wood filler and let it harden before sanding it down to make it even.

Does homeowners insurance cover damaged siding?

Homeowners insurance often covers damage to siding, but keep in mind it will only cover the damaged siding. So if you replace that siding and it doesn't match the rest of the home, your insurance won't pay to get the siding done on the rest of your house. That will have to come out of pocket. You should contact your insurer to check your policy details.

How do you know when to replace wood siding?

There are a few key signs that it's time to replace your wood siding:

• Rotting or warping

• Peeling

• Visible cracks, holes, and other damage

• Rising energy costs

• Loose siding