Hardie board (James Hardie fiber cement) siding typically costs $8–$14 per sq. ft. installed, or about $16,000–$28,000 for a house with 2,000 sq. ft. of wall. Generic fiber cement ranges from $5 to $14 per sq. ft. (market data from ThePricer, This Old House and Fixr, as of October 2026).
Updated October 8, 2026. Source: ThePricer + 3 more. National US estimates.
Hardie board is the best-known brand of fiber cement siding, made by James Hardie. It's heavier and more expensive to install than vinyl, but it resists fire, rot and insects, holds paint well and can mimic wood lap, shingles or board and batten. James Hardie does not publish fixed national installed prices; the figures here are market ranges reported by cost guides and retailers. WhatHomeCosts is not affiliated with James Hardie.
This guide covers installed prices, what labor and painting add, and how Hardie compares with other siding. For a full material comparison, see our siding replacement cost guide.
Average cost
Reported installed prices for Hardie board siding, labor and materials included, as of October 2026:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| About 1,200 sq. ft. of wall, lap siding | About $12,000 | Small home or a few walls |
| About 2,000 sq. ft. of wall, lap siding | $16,000–$28,000 | Most common project; many quotes land near $25,000–$27,000 |
| Premium lines, panels or shingles, complex house | $14+ per sq. ft. | Thicker boards, vertical panels, lots of trim |
Hardie board vs. other siding
Installed cost per sq. ft. and for 2,000 sq. ft. of wall:
| Material | Cost per sq. ft. | 2,000 sq. ft. of wall |
|---|---|---|
| Hardie board | $8–$14 | $16,000–$28,000 |
| Vinyl (standard) | $4–$7 | $8,000–$14,000 |
| Engineered wood | $6.50–$11 | $13,000–$22,000 |
| Stucco | $7.50–$12.50 | $15,000–$25,000 |
| Cedar (top grade) | $8–$15 | $16,000–$30,000 |
Cost breakdown: materials, labor, permits and extras
Line-item estimate for installing factory-finished Hardie lap siding on about 2,000 sq. ft. of wall, including removal of the old siding. Ranges are national, as of October 8, 2026.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Boards, trim & supplies (materials) | $8,000–$10,000 | About $4–$5 per sq. ft. including trim, nails and house wrap |
| Labor | $6,000–$12,000 | Heavy boards, special cutting tools and dust control |
| Old siding removal & disposal | $1,000–$2,500 | Tear-off and haul-away |
| Permits | $150–$1,500 | Varies by city |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $1,000–$2,000 | Rotted sheathing or framing found after tear-off |
| Estimated total | $16,000–$28,000 | Before any discounts or rebates |
Labor is a larger share of the bill than with vinyl because fiber cement is heavy and slower to cut and install.
What affects the price
- Area. Price scales with wall area. At $8–$14 per sq. ft., a 1,200 sq. ft. wall area costs about $12,000 and 2,000 sq. ft. about $16,000–$28,000.
- Labor (heavy and specialized). Fiber cement weighs about 300 lbs per 100 sq. ft., and cutting it requires dust control and special blades, so labor costs more than for vinyl. Use an installer experienced with the product, since improper installation can affect the manufacturer's warranty.
- Painting. Primed boards must be painted after installation, at about $1.50–$4 per sq. ft. Factory-finished boards cost more up front but skip that step and come with a separate finish warranty.
- Trim. Trim boards add about $0.80–$10 per linear foot, or roughly $1–$2 per sq. ft. of wall. Houses with many windows, corners and decorative details need more.
- Removal of old siding. Tearing off and disposing of old siding adds about $1,000–$2,500 for most materials, and more for heavy or difficult siding. Old cement-shingle siding may contain asbestos; see our asbestos siding removal cost guide.
Ways to save
- Get at least three written quotes from contractors experienced with fiber cement, all quoting the same product line, finish and trim.
- Compare factory-finished and primed boards on total cost: primed boards are cheaper to buy, but field painting adds $1.50–$4 per sq. ft.
- Stick with standard lap profiles; premium thick lines and vertical panels cost more per sq. ft.
- Consider other fiber cement brands; some, such as Nichiha, are reported to cost less.
- Plan siding and painting together if you choose primed boards, so the crew doesn't need two separate mobilizations.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask at least three licensed, insured siding contractors for itemized quotes. Provide:
- The approximate wall area, number of stories and the profile you want (lap, shingle, panel, board and batten).
- Whether you want factory-finished or primed boards that will be painted on site.
- What the old siding is made of and whether it must be removed.
- Ask about trim material, house wrap, permits, disposal, and both the manufacturer and workmanship warranties.
FAQ
How long does Hardie board siding last?
Fiber cement siding typically lasts about 30–50 years. James Hardie lists a 30-year limited product warranty, and factory-applied finishes carry a separate, shorter finish warranty; confirm current terms with the manufacturer.
Is Hardie board more expensive than vinyl?
Yes, usually about twice as much. Hardie runs about $8–$14 per sq. ft. installed versus $4–$7 for standard vinyl, mostly because it's heavier and costs more to install.
Does Hardie board siding need to be painted?
Primed boards must be painted soon after installation, at about $1.50–$4 per sq. ft. Factory-finished boards arrive painted, though they'll need repainting eventually.
For the big picture, start with our complete siding replacement cost guide.
Related cost guides
Sources
- ThePricer — How Much Does Hardie Board Siding Cost? (accessed Oct 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- This Old House — Hardie Board Siding Cost (2026) (updated Apr 1, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Fixr — How Much Does It Cost to Replace Siding? [2026 Data] (updated Jan 23, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- RoofingCalc — Fiber Cement Siding Cost: HardiePlank Installation Cost per Sq.Ft. (updated Feb 19, 2022). Checked October 8, 2026.
Prices are estimates and vary by location and provider. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all exterior cost guides.