Few exterior finishes match the warmth, durability, and curb-appeal of cedar. Yet homeowners and contractors often struggle to pin down the true cedar cladding cost for a residential project. CountBricks’ AI estimating platform eliminates the guesswork by combining live materials data, regional labor rates, and digital takeoffs in one conversation-driven workflow. Below, our residential construction experts break down today’s cedar pricing landscape and show how CountBricks keeps your budget on track.
• Lumber grade and profile: Clear vertical-grain boards can be double the price of knotty bevel siding.
• Board dimensions: Wider or thicker boards increase board-foot consumption and waste allowance.
• Finish choice: Factory-primed or stained products cost more up front but cut onsite labor.
• Fastening system: Stainless screws, hidden clips, or rainscreen battens add material and labor dollars.
• Labor complexity: Multi-story elevations, historic details, or tight lot lines require more man-hours.
• Market volatility: Cedar is a commodity. Prices can swing 20-30 % in months. CountBricks refreshes pricing daily to reflect real-time supply chains.
Based on recent CountBricks estimates across suburban and urban builds, expect the following ballpark figures:
• Material only: $4.75 – $9.00 per square foot installed area (boards, trim, flashings, fasteners)
• Labor only: $4.00 – $7.50 per square foot depending on crew efficiency and height
• Turn-key installed cedar cladding cost: $8.75 – $16.50 per square foot
Pro Tip: Log in to CountBricks.com/services to generate a live project-specific range within minutes. Our AI voices the estimate while you walk the site.
1. Voice capture: Speak dimensions, wall heights, window counts, and preferred cedar profile into your mobile device.
2. Instant takeoff: CountBricks converts speech into a digital blueprint overlay and quantifies surface area down to the inch.
3. Live material feed: The platform pulls cedar board, flashing, and coating prices from partnered suppliers in your ZIP code.
4. Task assembly: Pre-built labor recipes adjust for story height, crew size, and equipment such as scaffolding or lifts.
5. AI variance checker: Historical project data flags any outlier quantities before you push “Send Quote”.
6. One-click proposal: Download a branded PDF or email it directly from CountBricks.com/portfolio, complete with scope notes and exclusions.
• Fiber-cement: $7 – $12 per square foot installed, but heavier and less forgiving to cut onsite.
• Engineered wood: $8 – $14 per square foot, delivers painted-wood look, lower maintenance but shorter service history.
• Vinyl: $4 – $8 per square foot, lowest initial cost, minimal resale value boost.
While cedar commands a premium, many CountBricks customers justify the investment with higher appraisals and architectural distinction.
• Re-stain every 4-7 years in sunny climates to preserve color.
• Clear water-repellent oils extend life, adding roughly $1.25 per square foot each cycle.
• Natural weather-gray look requires less upkeep but may shorten board life in high-UV regions.
CountBricks estimates include a 25-year TCO (total cost of ownership) line item so homeowners grasp the full financial picture before authorizing work.
• Combine cedar accents with cost-effective secondary cladding on low-visibility elevations.
• Opt for pre-finished boards to slash painting labor by 30 %.
• Use random-length bundles to cut waste when wall heights vary.
• Schedule installation during supplier promos surfaced via CountBricks’ purchasing dashboard.
Q: How accurate is a CountBricks cedar estimate?
A: Typical variance is under 3 % thanks to AI-driven live pricing and blueprint mapping.
Q: Can I swap cedar species mid-project?
A: Yes. Re-run the estimate with western red, Alaskan yellow, or inland varieties and compare side-by-side.
Q: Does CountBricks handle permit submittals?
A: We generate code-compliant spec sheets you can attach to local permit packages.
Ready to lock in your cedar cladding cost with confidence? Start a free voice session on CountBricks.com/consultation. Within minutes you’ll have a sharable estimate, a material buy list, and a scheduling roadmap—all backed by CountBricks’ residential construction expertise.
When the Hernandez family decided their 1990s stucco façade felt dated, they called on a CountBricks-aligned contractor to install clear western red cedar lap siding. Here’s how the project unfolded and where the numbers landed.
• Location: Inland Empire, CA
• Scope: Remove existing stucco, install rainscreen, wrap, 1 x 8 cedar lap with factory oil finish
• Wall area measured via CountBricks takeoff: 2,370 SF plus 430 SF gable accents
• Timeline: 14 working days, two-person crew plus one helper
1. Materials: $21,960 (averaging $7.45/SF including trim and stainless fasteners)
2. Labor: $15,330 (6.47/SF, crane assist for upper gables included)
3. Equipment & disposal: $3,125
4. Overhead & profit: $6,510
Total cedar cladding cost: $46,925 or $16.20 per square foot installed
• Appraisal increased by $68,000 upon completion.
• Energy audit showed 8 % heating/cooling savings thanks to rainscreen airflow.
• Hernandez family secured a lower insurance premium for Class-B fire-rated cedar boards.
• Early supplier lock-in through CountBricks purchasing avoided a mid-project lumber spike that hit neighboring builders.
• Factory oil-finish added $1.05/SF but shaved two onsite painting days, keeping the crew ahead of a forecasted rainstorm.
• Voice-driven change orders (adding cedar soffits) were processed in under five minutes, preventing schedule delays.
CountBricks empowers contractors and homeowners alike with transparent, real-time cedar cladding cost data. Open a live session at CountBricks.com/consultation and see how quickly your next façade upgrade can go from idea to itemized estimate.
