Quick answer: Residing a Minnesota home in 2026 typically costs $6–$16 per square foot of wall area installed: vinyl at $6–$9, LP SmartSide engineered wood at $9–$13, and steel at $11–$16. A typical 2,000 sq ft two-story home carries roughly 2,200–2,600 sq ft of wall, putting most complete residing projects between $15,000 and $40,000.
Material Choices, Honestly Compared
| Material | Installed $/sq ft | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $6 – $9 | Value, no painting, huge color range | Hail cracks it; fades over decades |
| LP SmartSide | $9 – $13 | Wood look, hail-tough, paintable | Needs correct clearances & flashing |
| Steel | $11 – $16 | Best hail & fade resistance | Dents show; higher upfront |
In hail country — which is all of Central Minnesota — LP SmartSide and steel earn their premium at the first big storm. We install all three and will give you the straight comparison for your house, not a one-brand pitch.
The Part You Can't See: Housewrap & Flashing
Siding sheds most water; the housewrap behind it handles the rest. A residing job is your one chance in 30 years to fix what's under there: proper Tyvek or equivalent wrap, taped seams, and window/door flashing integrated shingle-style so water always moves out and down. As framers, this is our native territory — we fix sheathing rot and bad flashing instead of covering it up.
What Moves the Price
- Wall area and stories. Two-story homes carry more wall and more staging time.
- Tear-off findings. Rot repair is the honest wildcard — get a written per-sheet or per-lf allowance so surprises are priced before they're found.
- Trim package. Soffit, fascia, corners, and window trim can be a third of the job.
- Openings. Every window and door is detail time; replacing windows during residing saves double-handling.
- Material grade and profile. Board-and-batten accents, shakes, and designer profiles add material and labor.
Residing + Windows Together?
If your windows are within five years of needing replacement, do them with the siding. The flashing integration is cleaner, the labor overlaps, and you avoid disturbing new siding later. We install new-construction and replacement windows as part of residing scope.
Get a free on-site look and a written scope: contact us or call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most complete residing projects run $15,000–$40,000 depending on wall area, material (vinyl, LP SmartSide, or steel), trim package, and what tear-off reveals.
Steel and LP SmartSide handle hail far better than vinyl. Steel resists puncture best; SmartSide resists cracking and takes paint. Vinyl remains the value pick where hail risk is accepted.
If the existing wrap is damaged, missing, or badly lapped — yes, and it usually is on homes older than 25 years. It's cheap insurance while the walls are open.
Yes with the right practices. Vinyl needs temperature-aware fastening (it contracts); engineered wood and steel are more forgiving. We side year-round.
Want a real number instead of a range?
Free on-site estimates across Central Minnesota. Written quotes, honest scope, no pressure.