Cedar Siding Cost Calculator
Estimate the installed cost of cedar wood siding from wall area and your material and labor rates per square foot.
How this calculator works
Cedar siding cost comes down to two pieces: what the material itself costs per square foot, and what a contractor charges to install it per square foot. This calculator takes your wall area along with those two rates and adds them together to give you a total installed cost.
Because material and labor rates vary by region, cedar grade, and contractor, entering your own rates gives a more accurate estimate than a single national average would.
Formula: Total installed cost = wall area × material rate per sq ft + wall area × labor rate per sq ft.
Worked example
A 40 ft × 10 ft wall with a material rate of $7/sq ft and a labor rate of $5/sq ft:
- Wall area: 40 × 10 = 400 sq ft
- Material cost: 400 × $7 = $2,800
- Labor cost: 400 × $5 = $2,000
- Total installed cost: $4,800
Notes
Cedar costs more than vinyl or fiber cement per square foot, and unlike those materials, it needs ongoing maintenance — staining or sealing every few years — to keep it looking good and protected from weather. The grade of cedar you choose also affects cost: clear, knot-free grades cost noticeably more than knotty grades, so your total can shift quite a bit depending on which grade you pick.
How to use
Measure your wall area in square feet, then enter your material rate and labor rate per square foot. The calculator adds material and labor together to give you a total installed cost estimate for your cedar siding project.
Estimates only. Actual cost depends on your region, cedar grade, and site conditions — get a contractor quote before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
Why does cedar siding cost more than vinyl or fiber cement?
Cedar is a natural wood product that costs more to harvest, mill, and grade than manufactured materials like vinyl or fiber cement. It also requires more skilled labor to install and finish properly. On top of the higher upfront cost, cedar needs ongoing maintenance such as staining or sealing every few years, which vinyl and fiber cement largely avoid.
What's the difference between clear and knotty cedar grades?
Clear, or knot-free, cedar grades are cut from parts of the tree with fewer imperfections, giving a smoother, more uniform appearance. Knotty grades include natural knots and are generally less expensive. Clear grades cost noticeably more than knotty grades, so the grade you choose has a real impact on your total material cost.
How is wall area calculated for siding?
Wall area is simply the height of the wall times its width, giving square footage. For a full project, you'd typically calculate each wall separately and add them together, then subtract large openings like garage doors if you want a more precise material estimate. This calculator uses the wall area you enter directly.
What's included in the labor rate for cedar siding installation?
A labor rate per square foot typically covers the contractor's time to measure, cut, and fasten the siding, along with basic trim work around the area being sided. It generally does not include separate costs like removal of old siding, house wrap, or extensive carpentry repairs, so those should be estimated separately if they apply to your project.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.