How Much Does New Siding Cost in Des Moines?
Most siding replacement around Des Moines lands between about $4 and $14+ per square foot of wall. Here's what puts a house at either end, and where premium foam-backed siding falls.
By Omer Okic, owner of Ultimate Exteriors · 28 years on Des Moines homesUpdated November 2026
Siding replacement in the Des Moines area usually costs about $4 to $14+ per square foot of wall, installed. On a home with about 2,000 square feet of wall, that's roughly $8,000 at the low end and $28,000 or more at the high end.
- Priced per square foot of wall, not your home's living space
- Old siding removal, rotten wood and trim move the price the most
- Our foam-backed CertainTeed CERTAplank gives you premium siding at a mid-range price
- Lighter vinyl options when the budget is tight · exact price in writing after a free visit
Where Des Moines Siding Prices Land
This is the spread on residential siding jobs across the metro, from basic vinyl on a simple ranch to premium materials on a tall, cut-up two-story.
foam-backed siding
Why we don't print a single number.Two houses on the same street can be thousands apart once you count removal, rotten wood, trim and how many corners and gables there are. You get an honest range here and a real number after we've seen your walls.
Wall area isn't living space.Siding is priced by the square footage of the outside walls. Gables, bump-outs and a walkout basement all add area, and installers usually measure in "squares" of 100 square feet.
Premium Foam-Backed Siding at a Mid-Range Price
Most of the siding we install is CertainTeed CERTAplank, an extra-thick, wood-look vinyl plank with a reinforced foam backer. The backer makes each panel rigid, so it lies flat and straight on the wall instead of showing the waves you see on thin vinyl.
- Looks like painted wood lap siding, with tight, low-visibility seams
- Stiffer panels that hold up better to bumps than thin, hollow-back vinyl
- No painting, caulking or resealing
- Lifetime limited warranty from CertainTeed
Premium siding usually comes with a premium price. Ours doesn't, for the same reason our roofs don't: we run lean, with no billboards, no big fleet and no commissioned salespeople. The owner quotes your job and our own siding crew installs it.
Budget tight? We also install lighter vinyl lines that keep the weather out for less. We'll price both so you can see the difference.
What Makes One Siding Job Cost More Than Another
Wall size matters, but these are what really push a siding quote up or down.
Stories, gables & corners
A one-story ranch with long, plain walls goes fast. Second stories, gables, bump-outs and inside corners mean staging, more cuts and more trim, so labor goes up.
Rotten wood behind the siding
Nobody can see the sheathing until the old siding comes off. Soft or rotten boards have to be replaced before new siding goes on. We tell you how wood repairs are priced before work starts.
Something unique
Board and batten, shake gables, mixed profiles and specialty colors all cost more than one color of standard lap siding. They can also be worth it on the right house.
Removing the old siding
Tearing off and hauling away old siding adds labor. Some homes have more than one layer, or older materials that need special handling.
Trim, soffit & fascia
Wrapping trim and replacing soffit and fascia adds cost, and keeps the whole exterior low-maintenance.
Windows & doors
Every opening needs trim and flashing. A house with lots of windows costs more to side than one with plain walls.
House wrap & flashing
A weather barrier and proper flashing are part of every full replacement we do. Skipping them is how cheap jobs rot walls.
Siding Options Compared for Des Moines Homes
Price tiers are relative, from most budget-friendly to most premium. Your written estimate shows the exact difference for your house.
| Option | Relative price | Maintenance | Impact & hail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard vinyl | $ · budget option | None; never needs paint | Fair; thin panels can crack in hail or cold | Tight budgets, rentals, garages |
| Foam-backed vinyl (CertainTeed CERTAplank) | $$ · our most popular | None; never needs paint | Better; rigid foam-backed panels | Most Des Moines homes; best value per dollar |
| LP SmartSide engineered wood | $$ to $$$ | Repaint every several years | Strong | A real wood look with good durability |
| Fiber cement | $$$ | Repaint every several years | Strong; won't burn | Higher-end homes, fire resistance |
Siding repair vs. siding replacement
A few cracked or loose panels after a windstorm can usually be repaired. The hard part is matching: older colors fade and many profiles are discontinued. When a good match isn't possible, we'll tell you honestly whether to patch a less visible wall or replace the whole side. See siding repair and replacement.
Comparing materials in more depth?
Our guide to vinyl vs. fiber cement vs. LP siding for Iowa homes covers looks, upkeep and how each handles hail, wind and freeze-thaw. Hail-damaged siding may be covered by insurance; our storm damage guide explains how claims work.
The Lowest Siding Bid Isn't Always the Best Value
Two siding quotes can look thousands apart and cover very different jobs.
| Local, owner-led contractor | Large high-overhead company | Out-of-town storm crew | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | The owner, from estimate to final check | A salesperson, then a project manager | A canvasser, often a different crew |
| What's built into your price | Mostly materials and labor | Materials, labor, plus advertising, fleets and offices | Varies; travel and commissions |
| House wrap & flashing | Included in every full replacement | Usually | Ask; often skipped |
| Here for warranty calls later | Yes, local and reachable | Usually, through a service department | Often gone after storm season |
General comparison of business types, not of any specific company. Always check licensing, insurance and reviews for whoever you hire.
What a complete siding quote should include
- Removal and disposal of the old siding
- How rotten sheathing or trim will be priced
- House wrap and flashing at every window and door
- The exact siding brand, product line and color
- Trim, soffit and fascia, if included
- Manufacturer warranty and a written workmanship warranty
Comparing two quotes? Ask these
- Is it the same siding line on both quotes?
- Is the old siding coming off, or going over?
- Is house wrap included?
- Who installs it: your own crew or a subcontractor?
See finished siding jobs in our project gallery and what homeowners say in our reviews.
Siding Cost Questions We Hear Most
How much does new siding cost in Des Moines?
Most siding replacement in the Des Moines metro costs about $4 to $14+ per square foot of wall, installed. On a home with about 2,000 square feet of wall, that's roughly $8,000 to $28,000 or more. Material, old siding removal, wood repairs and trim decide where yours lands.
How is siding measured?
By the square footage of the outside walls, often in "squares" of 100 square feet. Gables, bump-outs and a walkout basement add wall area, so it's usually different from your home's living space.
What is foam-backed siding?
Vinyl siding with a rigid foam backer attached to each panel. We install CertainTeed CERTAplank, a thick, wood-look plank with a reinforced foam backer. It sits flatter and straighter on the wall than thin, hollow-back vinyl and holds up better to bumps.
Is foam-backed siding worth the extra cost?
For most homes we side, yes. It looks more like real wood, stays straighter on the wall and never needs painting. If the budget is tight, we also install lighter vinyl lines and can price both.
Do you have cheaper siding options?
Yes. When the budget is tight, standard vinyl lines keep the cost down and still keep the weather out. We'll show you both prices side by side.
Why can't you give me an exact siding price online?
Two houses the same size can be thousands of dollars apart once you count removal, rotten wood, trim and how cut up the walls are. We give you an honest range here and an exact written price after a free visit.
Will insurance pay for hail-damaged siding?
If hail or wind damaged your siding, your homeowners policy may cover repair or replacement minus your deductible. We can document the damage with photos. See our storm damage guide.
Should I repair or replace my siding?
If the damage is limited to a few panels and we can match them, a repair usually makes sense. If panels are brittle, faded, warped across whole walls or no longer made, replacing the siding is usually the better value.
Can siding be installed in an Iowa winter?
Yes, on suitable days, but vinyl is more brittle in the cold and needs extra care. Spring through fall is easiest.
Do you offer financing for new siding?
Yes. We offer financing options, and we also accept cash, check and card.
Siding across the metro: Des Moines · West Des Moines · Ankeny · Urbandale · Johnston · Waukee · Clive · Altoona · Windsor Heights · Norwalk · Polk City · Saylorville
More guides: Siding replacement & repair · Free roof inspection · Roof cost · Siding cost · Window cost · Gutter cost · Gallery
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