Siding replacement Chicago homeowners plan this year runs about $20,000 to $25,000 for a full house. That range comes from the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. It shows $19,868 for vinyl and $24,642 for fiber cement. Chicago does not require a building permit for most like-for-like siding swaps. Landmark districts are the big exception. This guide covers costs, materials, permits, hidden damage, lead, asbestos, and how to hire a contractor.
Article Overview
- Cost: The Chicago model project shows about $19,900 for vinyl and $24,600 for fiber cement.
- Permit: Chicago lists in-kind siding replacement as work that needs no building permit. Landmark buildings and structural repairs are different.
- Hidden damage: Rot behind old siding can raise your bill. Get the repair price in writing.
- Older homes: Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Old cement siding may hold asbestos.
- Contract: Illinois requires a written contract for home repair work over $1,000.
Siding Replacement Chicago Cost: What the Numbers Show
A full siding replacement in Chicago costs about $19,900 for vinyl and $24,600 for fiber cement, per the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. Those totals cover a model project the report defines. Your bid will change with wall area, house height, trim, and rot repair. Get three written bids before you decide.
The report also estimates resale value. In Chicago, it puts vinyl at about 79% of cost recouped and fiber cement at about 105%. Those are estimates, not promises. Your sale price depends on your market and your house.
Per-foot prices help you compare materials. This Old House lists these installed rates, updated in June 2026:
| Siding material | Installed cost per square foot | Average lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $6.13 | 20 to 40 years |
| Aluminum | $7.32 | 20 to 40 years |
| Fiber cement | $9.00 | 50+ years |
| Cedar wood | $11.70 | 20 to 40 years |
Do not multiply a per-foot rate by the Cost vs. Value total. The two sources use different job scopes. Treat them as two separate checks on your bids.
This Old House also puts the national range at $8,000 to $30,000. Chicago bids can land above or below that range. Ask each contractor to break out materials, labor, and disposal.
What Moves Your Bid
Several factors push a siding bid up or down:
- Wall area, including gables and dormers
- House height, since taller walls need more setup
- Complex shapes with many corners, bump-outs, and trim
- Rot repair and other hidden damage
- Material grade and color choice
- Disposal of old siding
A simple two-story box costs less to side than a house with many angles. Ask each contractor to explain what drives their number.
Which Siding Material Fits Chicago Weather?
Picking a material for siding replacement Chicago summers and winters will both test is a big call. Chicago swings from hard freezes to hot, humid days. Each material handles that swing in its own way.
Vinyl Siding: Lowest Cost, Cold-Sensitive
Vinyl costs the least of the four main options in the table. It needs little upkeep. Cold can make it brittle, so a hard hit in winter can crack a panel. Vinyl comes in grades with different thickness. Ask which grade each bid includes.
Fiber Cement: Longer Life, Higher Price
Fiber cement costs more and lasts longer. This Old House lists 50+ years. The boards are heavy and take more labor to cut and hang. That raises the labor line on your bid. Ask if the price includes factory-painted boards or primed boards you must paint later.
Cedar, Aluminum, and Engineered Wood
Cedar looks classic and costs more. It needs paint or stain upkeep. Aluminum can dent and fade. Engineered wood is a third option, sold under brand names such as LP SmartSide. Price each one against vinyl and fiber cement before you choose.
Landmark districts can limit your material choices. The next section explains how.
Siding Replacement Chicago Permit Rules
Chicago’s Department of Buildings lists in-kind replacement of wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, stucco, and EIFS siding as work that needs no building permit. In kind means the same type of siding goes back on. Three things can change the answer.
- Structural work. The exemption covers repairs that leave the building’s structure alone. Cutting away or removing structural parts needs a permit. If rot reaches the framing, ask your contractor to check with the city.
- A change of material. Going from aluminum to fiber cement may not count as in kind. Call the Department of Buildings at 312-744-3449 before you sign.
- Landmark status. Landmark buildings and districts follow separate rules, covered below.
Landmark Districts: Wicker Park, Old Town Triangle, and Ukrainian Village
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks reviews exterior work on landmark buildings and in landmark districts. Siding is on its review list. Wicker Park, Old Town Triangle, and Ukrainian Village are among the districts where this review applies.
The Commission adopted a wood siding policy on June 7, 2018. It treats highly visible walls more strictly than hidden ones. City staff also encourage a pre-permit review. Ask whether your address sits in a landmark district before you order any materials.
Condo and co-op buildings add board approval. Our Chicago condo renovation rules guide explains that step. For other projects, read our Chicago renovation permit guide. You can also check the city’s own list of work that needs no building permit.
Signs You Need Siding Replacement, Not Repair
Repair works when damage is small. Replacement fits when damage is widespread. Watch for these signs:
- Cracked, warped, or buckled panels
- Soft or rotted boards
- Loose or missing pieces
- Water stains or mold on inside walls near the siding
- Signs of pests in the wall
Spot repair makes sense when only a few pieces are damaged. The material must still be available to match. The weather barrier and sheathing under it must be sound. If water is getting behind the siding, repair only hides the problem.
What Contractors Find Under Old Siding
Siding sheds most rain. It is not the main water barrier. Behind it sit a weather barrier (house wrap), flashing around windows and doors, and wall sheathing. Building experts say not to rely on siding alone to stop water.
Best practice is to strip the wall down to the sheathing. That exposes water problems that old siding hides. Crews can find rot at window sills, trim, and the lower wall. Ask each bidder for a price to replace rotted sheathing. Put that price in the contract.
Flashing matters just as much. Missing or poor flashing lets water into the wall. The Building America Solution Center advises checking window and door flashing before new siding goes on. Replacing windows at the same time lets crews seal both together. Our window replacement cost guide covers that side of the job.
Roof edges meet siding at flashing too. If your roof is near the end of its life, read our roof replacement cost guide before you schedule siding.
Lead Paint and Asbestos in Older Chicago Homes
Lead Paint in Homes Built Before 1978
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint under the siding. EPA’s lead rule requires paid contractors who disturb paint in these homes to be lead-safe certified. EPA says the rule applies when siding removal disturbs more than 20 square feet of painted surface underneath. Ask every bidder if they hold this certification. EPA’s Get Lead Safe page helps you find a certified firm.
Asbestos in Old Cement Siding
Some older homes have cement siding or shingles that contain asbestos. The Illinois EPA lists cement asbestos board siding among the materials found in older homes. Intact siding is not the main danger. Breaking it releases fibers. Test suspect siding before tear-off. Ask your contractor how they handle testing, removal, and disposal.
How to Hire a Siding Contractor in Illinois
Illinois does not license general contractors statewide, according to the Attorney General’s office. Cities set their own rules. Our licensed general contractor guide explains Chicago’s side. Use these steps with any siding replacement Chicago contractor you consider.
Get It in Writing
Illinois law requires a written contract for home repair work over $1,000. The contract must state the total cost. The contractor must also give you the Attorney General’s home repair consumer rights brochure. On contracts over $1,000, you sign a form that confirms you received it.
Compare Bids Line by Line
Ask each contractor to list these items:
- Material brand, product line, and grade
- Wall area being covered
- Tear-off and disposal
- Weather barrier and flashing
- Trim and corner details
- Price to replace rotted sheathing
- Permit fees, if the job needs a permit
- Warranty terms in writing
The lowest bid may leave items out. Compare scope first. Then compare price.
Protect Your Payment
The Attorney General advises against paying in full before the work is done. Do not pay in cash. Ask for lien waivers to protect your property. Keep every signed document.
How Our Network Fits In
Chicago General Contractor does not install siding. It is a referral service that connects homeowners with independent, vetted contractors. The contractors in our network are separate businesses. Ask each one for the contract items listed above.
How a Siding Replacement Works, Step by Step
- Inspect. A contractor checks the walls, measures the area, and looks for damage.
- Compare bids. Get three written bids with the same scope.
- Sign the contract. Confirm it meets Illinois rules before you pay a deposit.
- Check permit needs. A landmark address or structural repair means a permit comes first.
- Order materials. Confirm the color, profile, and delivery date.
- Tear off. The crew strips the old siding. Lead and asbestos steps apply here if needed.
- Repair and wrap. The crew fixes rot, then installs the weather barrier and flashing.
- Install siding and trim. Work goes wall by wall.
- Walk through. Check the work, collect lien waivers and warranty papers, then make the final payment.
Weather affects scheduling. Our guide to the best time to renovate in Chicago covers the seasons.
Need siding quotes? Call (773) 382-6682 or request a free quote. We connect you with vetted Chicago contractors.
Siding Replacement FAQs
Do I need a permit to replace siding in Chicago?
Not for most like-for-like swaps. Chicago lists in-kind siding replacement as work that needs no building permit. Structural repairs, a change of material, and landmark districts can change that. Call the Department of Buildings if you are unsure.
How long does siding last in Chicago?
This Old House lists 20 to 40 years for vinyl, aluminum, and cedar. It lists 50+ years for fiber cement. Installation quality and water control behind the siding also affect life span.
Can new siding go over old siding?
Best practice is to strip the wall to the sheathing first. Covering old siding hides water damage. It also leaves lead paint or asbestos siding in place without a plan. Ask each bidder how they handle this.
Do I need to be home during siding work?
No. Siding replacement Chicago crews do is outdoor work. Clear the area around the walls first. Move cars, grills, and planters away from the house.
Next Step: Siding Replacement Chicago Quotes
A good siding job starts with a clear scope and a written contract. Chicago General Contractor connects you with independent, vetted contractors who can quote your walls. Compare their bids line by line using the list above. Browse our residential renovation page for other exterior and interior projects.
Call (773) 382-6682 or request a free quote.
About this article. Reviewed by Donny Zanger, founder of Chicago General Contractor. Published: November 10, 2026. Updated: November 11, 2026.
Chicago General Contractor is a general contractor referral service in Chicago, IL. It connects homeowners with independent, vetted contractors. It does not perform the work itself.