Siding material is designed to cover the exterior of a home and protect it from the elements. Also known as exterior cladding, siding material provides effective weather resistance, minimizing moisture absorption into the wall structure, along with preventing intrusions from pests and other infestations from entering the home. The materials used for siding include vinyl as well as stucco, stone, brick, and brick veneer. Other materials used include that of cement fiber, cedar shingles, and engineered wood and clapboard, as well as seamless steel. Regardless of the material used, there is no reason to overspend on the installation costs of the siding material used. To reduce the installation costs, follow these 6 tips when contemplating applying siding to a home.

Determine the Material to Use

The type of siding material being used will directly impact the overall cost of installing the siding. Comparing the cost between the varying materials used for siding is a good first step, prior to choosing the material to use. For example, vinyl siding will cost much less than stone siding because of the cost of materials. Adding up the totals for the amount of siding material that is desired and then comparing it with a different siding material can aid homeowners in both determining the cost as well as giving them an indication of whether their choice of material for the siding is practical considering their budget.

Consider Labor Costs

It’s obvious that the cost of labor to maneuver and install the siding material must be taken into account. The cost will depend on two factors. One is entirely in the homeowner’s control, while the other depends upon the home’s environment. The labor cost for the installation varies depending on the material used for the siding—vinyl again is a good example as being less costly than stone. The time of the year is the other factor to consider—contractors typically are freer in the winter months and so more likely to offer a break in their labor costs.

Shop Around for the Siding Materials

Purchasing the needed siding materials can take a great deal of time should the person not want to just surrender to the price at the first location visited. Finding a bargain can be as simple as locating a rebate that applies to the purchase of the material, or a reduction in cost based on quantity offered by a particular store.

Install the Siding

Eschewing a professional, homeowners can install the siding themselves. The obvious cost reduction here is that all of the labor costs are now eliminated since the person is doing the work without professional help. Of course, a great deal of time will be needed, both in preparing for the work involved as well as in actually performing the installation.

Consider Siding Placement

Unlike a car that requires four wheels to work properly, there is no hard and fast rule that requires siding to be installed on the back wall of a house. Those who are unconcerned about having siding on the back wall (since it is not going to be seen anyway) can see a significant saving since the materials and labor required for the wall has now been eliminated.

Get into Negotiating

Negotiation can bring individuals and countries together in agreement, and in the case of having siding installation, can lead to a reduced cost. As part of the negotiation, homeowners should strive to find out about any deals that the contractor is willing to make—for example, being more amiable to a cash payment. The true art of negotiation is to make both parties happy, and so the contractor must feel that he is getting something as well. While there are no hard and fast rules for how to accomplish a successful negotiation, being patient and willing to compromise will serve a person well here.

Reducing the cost of siding installation will not come from a single step, such as saving a few dollars on the materials or enacting a reduction in the overall cost for the labor. To save as much as possible while still getting the quality results needed, it requires gathering disparate elements together so that all can play into the reduction. That this will require time and effort is a given, but there’s never been such a thing as a free lunch.