How Much Does It Cost to Install Stone Veneer Siding?

Average Cost of Stone Veneer Siding

*Based on a 2,500-square-foot home

Many contractors will give you a quote per square foot based on a 2,500-square-foot home estimate. If you own a larger home, you may be able to reduce the price of materials—or at least get them on the lower end of the $35 to $50 per square foot spectrum.

The type of stone you choose can also have an influence. Real solid stone is the most expensive, but it's quite heavy, so much so that you may have to raise your foundation before you can install it. There are alternatives that give your home the same look and save you money on materials and labor.

Cost Factors and Materials Cost 

The type of material you choose is the biggest cost factor. Options for material include real solid stone, veneer, faux, and cultured.

Below are some additional factors that may drive the price up or bring it down, depending on your situation.

Codes and Regulations 

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has recognized stone and veneer siding as an option and offered governance on the materials for installation for more than 40 years. Still, each city and state may have different ordinance and building codes for using this material. In some cases, a license may be required—which can cost a couple hundred dollars.

Call your local home building department to learn if you'll need a special license.

Size of the House

Square footage is always a factor when it comes to finishing a home's siding. Material costs and labor both increase with the size of the house.

For this reason, and because of the expense and weight of full stone exterior walls, it's becoming popular for homeowners to complete a partial installation instead of a full installation. This helps reduce the cost of the entire installation as well as the wall's weight on the foundation. A 1,000-square foot home’s exterior which is half stone and half vinyl will cost a homeowner between $19,500 and $25,000. 

Other options for partial installations include using it on the bottom half of a house or the entire first floor, around bay windows, as fireplaces or chimneys, or as an exterior accent. All of these varieties are available to homeowners and cost less than using stone around the entire house.

Materials Needed 

Solid stone will cost the most by far due to weight and sheer material expenses. Homeowners on a budget may consider faux alternatives or a partial installation as described above. 

Currently, with the global supply chain issues, 2022 has been a particularly difficult time to obtain some materials. You might pay more to install stone and veneer siding now than you would've a few years ago simply due to shortages of materials driving up costs for manufacturers and contractors.

Quality 

Investing in quality should be a non-negotiable when it comes to installing stone and veneer siding; especially in the case of real stone. Stone is so heavy that proper installation and high quality materials are both essential. Anything less could be a hazard to your home or family's safety.

Always hire a professional that's licensed, bonded, and insured.

Labor Costs 

Hauling stones and layering them into a pattern is time-consuming work. For larger projects, a contractor may send bigger teams out to tackle the job. Labor costs can be significantly reduced by opting for lighter materials.

Cost By Type of Stone or Material 

Stone is the most expensive siding, but also the most durable. You can choose from dozens of options and styles, and can customize your home's appearance. The downside is that its cost is on the high end and will most likely require a professional.

The average price to develop a stone exterior for a 1,000-square foot home is $24,000 when you hire professional help. Hiring an experienced stone mason costs about $19 an hour. Masons will provide their own tools, but you need to supply the building materials. 

Natural Stone 

Granite

Granite costs $15 to $30 per square foot. It looks the most natural (what most homeowners are used to seeing for stone veneer siding) and offers amazing benefits in terms of durability and sustainability.

Basalt 

Basalt siding costs $7 to $11 per square foot. Each piece is uniquely shaped, which is a plus for some homeowners who want a one-of-a-kind appearance on the side of their home.

Limestone 

Limestone costs $20 to $28 per square foot. Although it's on the higher end from a price standpoint, it's much lighter than granite and slate, which can drive installation and labor costs down significantly. 

Slate 

Slate siding costs $4.50 to $10 per square foot. One reason homeowners love slate is because it's both waterproof and fire resistant. It can especially help promote drainage in heavy areas of rain.

Sandstone

Sandstone costs $15 to $30 per square foot and can be used for siding. Although attractive, it is not as durable as other rocks and is more likely to chip, break, and deteriorate over time. If you do want to use it, determine whether or not your climate is suitable. The material works the best in hot, dry environments and should not be exposed to excessive moisture.

Artificial Stone

Faux Stone Siding 

Faux stone is an extremely light alternative material option that can be applied inside or outside. It is inexpensive at $6 to $9 per square foot and can be attached with regular mortar and materials. Faux stone can be used as a siding and is an environmentally resistant option, but not as much as regular rock. If you want to use this siding, you need to have an underlayment of drywall or timber on which to apply the material.

Cultured/Manufactured Stone 

This is a manmade variation of traditional materials. Concrete is poured into a mold and allowed to dry so that it resembles other products used for siding. It tends to be less expensive at $5 to $8 per square foot, but is a similar weight. Manufactured stone works as a durable, reliable siding. It possesses many of the pros of the real thing, but is less environmentally resistant. Maintenance is easy, as it just requires a light spray with a hose every few months.

Cost of Stone Siding By Project 

Refacing, replacing, and removing old stone siding may all be involved in your stone veneer installation project. Here's some cost info on each.

Cost to Reface Stone Siding 

You can expect to spend anywhere between $9,800 and $18,000 to reface the front of a home measuring around 250 square feet. Refacing your home with stone can create a new look for your house and raise the value of the property. Stonework promises a higher ROI than many other materials, so it is a popular replacement material.

Cost to Replace Stone Siding 

Stone siding is durable, but won't last forever. It can break down, chip, and crack from exposure to the elements, especially moisture and snow. Replacing stone siding can be pricey due to material costs as well as labor. It's heavy to move and transport, which will likely drive up costs.

Expect to pay around the average of $42 per square foot to replace stone siding. You might pay more if your home is in a remote area (longer drives mean higher installation costs) or if extensive removal of sections of old siding adds time to the project. Small patches in high up or hard-to-reach places on your home might cost closer to the higher end $50 per square foot.

A lower-cost, easier to install alternative might be installing stone veneer, which is rated to last 25 to 40 years minimum. That said, it's not as durable as other types when faced with weather and environmental damage.

Cost to Remove Stone Siding 

To remove, you will need to use the old-fashioned chisel and hammer method. This requires demolishing the materials used to build the wall while leaving the underlayment and foundation intact. This time-consuming process is not a DIY project, as it is very likely for a novice to chip part of the stone and cause large sections of the wall to crumble. It is possible to get injured during this process, which is why homeowners should call a professional.

DIY or Hire a Professional 

It's highly recommended that you hire a siding installation professional to put up stone and veneer siding. However, as a reference point, here are some of the items you'll need to install DIY if you're opting to go that route:

• Masonry Mortar (70-80 lb. bags for $10 to $15): These keep your wall together.

• Water-resistant Paper ($30): Apply it on drywall behind masonry to prevent moisture damage.

• Wall Sheathing ($2 and $4 per square foot): This plywood prevents damage to the wall.

FAQs

What is the best way to install stone veneer? 

Hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured local siding contractor to install stone veneer is your best bet, even if you're a savvy DIYer. 

Is stone veneer easy to install? 

No. It's heavy and requires multiple people to safely install. The weight of the materials alone can make it a dangerous project; if items aren't installed properly, you risk injury and property damage.

How much does it cost to put stone on the front of a house?

At an average of $42 per square foot, you will pay around $21,000 to put stone on just one side of your home—whether it’s the front, side, or back.