We need to talk about something people often forget when they are thinking about new siding. This is getting rid of the old siding. You cannot just put new siding over everything. This is especially true if you want the job done right. You also want your new siding to last a long time. Here in Salina, we see many different kinds of homes. These homes range from the classic bungalows in the Iron Avenue historic district to the newer houses out west. Each one can have its own specific things when it comes to tearing off old siding.
What Makes Siding Removal Cost What It Costs?
You might think siding removal is simple. You might think we just pull it off and haul it away. But there are a few big things that really change the price. These things can make the price go up or down:
- What Kind of Siding Are We Taking Off? This is probably the biggest thing. Vinyl siding and aluminum siding are usually easier and quicker to remove. Wood siding can take more work. This is especially true if it is nailed on very tight. Fiber cement siding is heavy. It also needs careful handling. Stucco siding is a very different kind of job. It has to be chipped off. This takes a lot more time as well as effort.
- How Big and Tall is Your House? More square footage means more siding to remove. This is a simple fact. If you have a two-story home or even a three-story home, that needs more equipment. This includes things like scaffolding. It also needs extra safety measures as well as more time for the crew. A single-story ranch home is always going to be less complicated than a tall Victorian home.
- Accessibility Matters. Is your house on a wide-open lot? Does it have easy access for a dumpster as well as our crew? Or are we working in tight spaces? Are we working around mature landscaping? Is there a steep grade? Obstacles mean more manual labor. This can also slow things down. This adds to your Siding Removal costs in Salina.
- The "Hazardous Materials." This is where things can get expensive very fast. If your home was built before 1978, there is a chance it has lead paint. If it was built before the late 1980s, you might have asbestos siding. Removing these materials is not just a tear-off job. It needs specialized training. It also needs containment. In addition, it needs permits as well as specific disposal procedures. This is to keep everyone safe during the Siding Removal project.
- What Is Underneath? Sometimes, after the old siding comes off, we find problems with the sheathing underneath. This can be rot. It can also be mold or structural damage. This is not a Siding Removal cost. But it is a common thing we find. This adds to the overall project cost. We cannot just cover it up. It needs to be fixed correctly.
Typical Siding Removal Cost Ranges in Salina
You want numbers. We understand that. For a standard 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home here in Salina, you can generally expect these ranges for non-hazardous materials:
- Vinyl or Aluminum Siding: You are usually looking at about $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot for removal. For a 1,500 sq ft home, that is roughly $750 to $1,875. For a 2,000 sq ft home, it is $1,000 to $2,500.
- Wood Siding: This might cost you a bit more. It is around $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot. So, for that 1,500 sq ft house, it is $1,500 to $3,000. For 2,000 sq ft, it is $2,000 to $4,000.
- Fiber Cement Siding: This is heavier. You can expect $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot. That is $1,500 to $3,750 for 1,500 sq ft. It is $2,000 to $5,000 for 2,000 sq ft.
- Stucco: This is the most labor-intensive of the common types. It is often $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot. So, that is $2,250 to $4,500 for 1,500 sq ft. It is $3,000 to $6,000 for 2,000 sq ft.
These numbers are just for the Siding Removal labor. Disposal costs are usually added on top of that. This is typically another $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot. So, for a 2,000 sq ft home, that is an extra $500 to $1,500 for the dumpster rental as well as the landfill fees.
What About Hazardous Materials?
If we think there might be asbestos or lead paint, that is a very different situation. Asbestos siding removal can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 per square foot. The average is around $8 per square foot. For a 1,500 sq ft home, that could be $7,500 to $22,500. It averages around $12,000. Lead paint removal on exterior siding can range from $8 to $17 per square foot. These jobs need specialists. They also need permits. This means more cost as well as a longer timeline for your Salina Siding Removal project.
What Should a Siding Removal Quote Include?
When Salina Siding Company gives you a quote, or any good contractor for that matter, here is what you should expect to see:
- Labor for Tear-Off: This is the crew's time to physically remove the old siding.
- Disposal Fees: This covers the cost of the dumpster rental. It also covers the fees charged by the landfill or transfer station. A 20-yard dumpster in Salina typically costs $300 to $500 for a 7-day rental. Dump fees are sometimes $100-$115 on top of that.
- Site Prep and Cleanup: This means protecting your landscaping. It also means protecting your windows and doors during the Siding Removal process. After that, it means a complete cleanup of all debris.
- Permits (if required): Some larger Siding Removal projects might need a permit. The cost for this can range from $150 to $1,500.
- Hazardous Material Testing/Abatement (if applicable): If we suspect asbestos or lead, this will be a separate, specialized line item.
How to Avoid Overpaying
Nobody likes to feel like they paid too much. Here are our best tips for getting a fair price on Siding Removal:
- Get Multiple Quotes: Do not just go with the first person you talk to. Get at least three detailed quotes for your Siding Removal in Salina. Make sure all of them are quoting for the same amount of work.
- Ask for a Line-Item Breakdown: A good contractor will show the costs for removal. They will also show the costs for disposal. In addition, they will show any other services. If it is just one big number, ask for more details.
- Bundle with Installation: Often, if you are having a contractor install new siding, they will give you a better deal on the Siding Removal. This is part of the whole package.
- Clear the Area Yourself: Trim back shrubs. Move patio furniture. Clear anything that might get in the way. Less work for the crew means less labor cost for you.
- Understand the "Surprises": Ask upfront about what happens if they find rot or other damage underneath. Ask how that will be handled. Also ask what the typical cost is for those repairs.
Siding Removal is not the exciting part of a home exterior renovation. But it is a very important first step. Do your homework. Ask the right questions. This will make sure you are getting a fair deal for your Salina home.