Siding removal is one of the few exterior demolition jobs where the material decides almost
everything: the price, the schedule, and whether a licensed abatement contractor has to be involved
at all. A vinyl tear-off on a Nassau colonial and an asbestos-cement shingle tear-off on a 1940s
Queens house are not the same project, even at identical square footage.
Cost by material
| Material | What is involved | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Unclips in courses, light debris | $0.50–$1.20 / sf |
| Aluminium | Similar labour, may have scrap value | $0.60–$1.40 / sf |
| Wood clapboard / cedar shake | Nailed, heavier, slower, nail-pull after | $1.00–$2.50 / sf |
| Stucco over lath | Heavy demolition, high debris weight | $2.00–$5.00 / sf |
| Asbestos-cement shingle | Licensed abatement, containment, clearance | $8–$15+ / sf |
Wall area, not floor area, is the unit. A typical 1,500-square-foot two-storey house has roughly
1,600–2,200 square feet of wall surface once gables and dormers are counted.
Pre-1980 houses: test before you tear
Asbestos-cement shingle siding was standard on New York houses into the 1970s. It looks like a
thin, brittle, slightly wavy shingle and it is usually painted many times over. It must not be broken
up, power-washed or dry-cut. Testing comes first; if it is positive, a licensed abatement contractor
removes it under containment with proper disposal and clearance, and general demolition follows after.
Our asbestos removal cost guide explains that process and
what it costs. Treating suspect shingle as ordinary siding is the single most expensive mistake on
this kind of job.
What else is in the number
- Housewrap, furring and trim behind the siding — usually removed with it.
- Nail-pull and sheathing inspection, which is when rot and old water damage
appear. - Windows and doors — flashing and trim details around openings add labour.
- Protection of landscaping, walkways, AC condensers and neighbouring property, which
matters a lot on a tight Queens or Brooklyn lot. - Height and access — staging or lifts on a three-storey wall, and whether a truck
can get near the house.
Debris: bulky, and by weight
Vinyl is light and voluminous; cedar and stucco are heavy. A full house of stucco or wood siding can
be several tons. Siding is construction and demolition debris — it does not go out with household
trash. See construction debris removal, and
junk removal vs dumpster rental if you are deciding
between a container on the driveway and a crew that hauls as it goes. On a tear-off, hauling as we go
usually wins on tight lots, where a container blocks the only access you have.
When siding removal is part of something bigger
Often it is one phase of a larger scope: a full house
demolition, a residential demolition project, a
garage teardown, or exterior work ahead of an
addition. For permits and filings, see
NYC demolition permits; for whole-structure
budgets, house demolition cost.
For a walkthrough and a written scope, call (718) 587-0156. We work across the
five boroughs, Nassau and western Suffolk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove siding from a whole house?
For vinyl or aluminium on a typical 1,500–2,000 square foot house, tear-off and disposal commonly runs $1,200–$3,000. Wood and stucco cost more, and asbestos-cement shingle is a licensed abatement job priced separately and much higher.
How do I know if my siding contains asbestos?
Age and appearance are clues — thin, brittle, slightly wavy cement shingle on a pre-1980 house is a common form — but only a laboratory test on a properly collected sample confirms it. Test before any work starts.
Can siding go in a regular dumpster or curbside collection?
It is construction and demolition debris, so it goes to a licensed C&D transfer station, not household collection. Asbestos-containing material has its own disposal requirements and manifesting.
Do you remove the housewrap and furring too?
Yes, when the wall is coming back to sheathing. That is also when we can flag any rot or water damage in the sheathing before the new cladding goes on.
Is a permit needed to remove siding?
Straight re-siding generally does not require a demolition permit, but scope that goes further — structural work, change of use, or asbestos removal — does have filing requirements. We flag it if your job crosses that line.