Stone veneer installation costs from $13,000 to $22,000, with the average homeowner spending $16,000 for labor and materials. DIYing this work is tough but can significantly lower costs.
Stone veneer siding can add character, charm, and beauty to your home's exterior—and costs less than stone siding. This material offers incredible durability and is heavier than other sidings but doesn’t put as much strain on your home’s foundation as natural stone siding.
Stone veneer siding costs $11 to $18 per square foot on average and usually comes in sheets. Mortarless stone veneer, which is easier to install, is typically less expensive—around $6 to $10 per square foot. Installation labor costs around $2 to $4 per square foot on top of materials, for a total cost of around $13 to $22 per square foot.
| Size Per Square Foot | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $13,000–$22,000 |
| 2,000 | $26,000–$44,000 |
| 3,000 | $39,000–$66,000 |
The main factors that impact stone veneer siding prices are the square footage and labor costs, but the style of siding you choose can also play a factor.
Some stone veneer siding has a more luxurious appearance and is more expensive, while other styles are most affordable. Bulk pallets are less expensive than smaller panels, and the more natural or unique the stone looks, the more expensive the veneer tends to be.
For comparison, stone siding costs $42 per square foot on average for materials alone. Stone siding comes in many forms, including basalt, granite, slate, and limestone. Solid materials like these are expensive because they’re more durable and resilient than others.
On the other end of the spectrum, faux stone is relatively inexpensive at $6 to $9 per square foot. It’s extremely light (and artificial-looking), and can be attached with regular mortar and materials. Another option is manufactured stone, which is a human-made variation of traditional materials. It’s also inexpensive, at $5 to $8 per square foot.
| Material | Average Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Stone veneer | $11–$18 |
| Mortarless stone veneer | $6–$10 |
| Stone siding | $35–$50 |
| Faux stone | $6–$9 |
| Manufactured stone | $5–$8 |
The cost of a contractor averages $2 to $4 per square foot but depends on the size and complexity of your home and the cost of labor in your region. Get quotes from a few different siding installers before deciding which contractor is best for your project.
The more square feet you have on the exterior of your home, the more expensive it will be due to more materials and more labor costs. You may also opt to only partially cover your house, such as only the front-facing exterior.
You may be able to replace your existing siding (like brick or vinyl) with stone, but you’ll need to first consider whether the existing underlayment and drywall can support the weight of the stone. Also, if your home has many peaks or tricky areas to place siding, you’ll need to budget in some extra time and labor to install it.
You may need new underlayment to support the stone veneer siding before installation. For 1,000 square feet, the cost will be around $440 to $520.
If you need to remove siding from your home, such as vinyl or wood siding, you’ll need to budget $1,000 to $2,500 for deconstruction, depending on the size of your home.
To prevent water vapor from seeping under your wall and damaging the foundation, you’ll need a moisture barrier. It usually costs $2 to $4 per square foot. Some siding contractors may include this in the total cost for your project, but it’s worth asking if you’re unsure.
While you can install stone veneer siding yourself, the project is very challenging and carries large risks, making hiring a local siding contractor better. If your home is more than one story, you’ll have to be comfortable using scaffolding and using proper safety measures. Improper siding installation can lead to cracking, resulting in water vapor seeping into your walls and foundation.
The cost to install stone veneer siding yourself ranges from $11 to $18 per square foot, plus tools and supplies like underlayment and mortar. The tools you’ll need include a mason hammer, nail gun, grout bag, and joint tool.
Replacing your home’s siding is a high cost project, so it’s understandable if you need to find ways to shave off a few dollars. While square footage is a major cost factor, you can change the size and shape of your home. Below are some other areas in your control:
Naturally, the lower the material quality the more money you save in the short term. Keep in mind if you go with the least expensive option, you may be making trade offs on longevity. Not all materials last the same amount of time and picking a more affordable option may lead to needing to replace it sooner.
If you’re comfortable with doing your on jobsite demolition, you can rent a dumpster and remove the old siding yourself. Be sure to practice ladder safety and invest in the right safety gear (gloves and eye protection), otherwise this is best left to the pros.
Help your siding contractor get started on their project sooner (and save money on hourly labor costs) by clearing the area as much as possible. This includes trimming trees and shrubs, moving cars away, and store outdoor furniture.
If you like the look of stone and its durability, but don’t want to pay the price of natural stone, stone veneer siding might be the best choice for you. Stone veneer siding lasts 20 to 75 years and increases the value of your home.
You can maintain your siding’s beauty by easily cleaning it with vinegar and water when it needs it, but otherwise, stone veneer siding is relatively maintenance-free. For your mixture of water and vinegar, aim for 30% vinegar and 70% water.
Stone veneer siding is approximately four times less expensive than stone because it's made of concrete and aggregates instead of natural stone. But veneer looks like real stone, is easier to install, and acts as a great, durable siding option.
It costs between $9,800 and $18,000 to put stone siding on the front of a house for 250 square feet of exterior area. Stone veneer for the same area would cost between $5,000 and $6,000.
Stone veneer generally lasts anywhere from 20 to 75 years, as long as it’s properly installed. Poor installation can lead to all kinds of problems (from water leaks to structural damage), which will shorten the lifespan of the siding.
