Siding Estimating Software
Upload your siding plans or elevation drawings and TradeBid creates a reviewable line-item bid draft for vinyl, fiber cement, metal, wood, soffit, fascia, and trim.
What TradeBid does for siding contractors
- Automatic wall area and window/door deduct takeoffs
- Separate line items for siding, wraps, soffit, and fascia
- Trim, flashings, and starter strips included automatically
- Labor and material calculations for all siding types
- Exportable branded PDF bid ready in minutes
How to Estimate a Siding Job
Start with the elevations. For each side of the house, measure the wall area (length × height, plus gable triangles), then subtract windows, doors and other openings. Add the elevations together and divide by 100 to get squares, the unit most siding is sold and priced in.
Next, add waste for cuts. Simple, wide walls might need 5–10%; houses with many corners, gables and openings often need more. Use the factor your own past jobs support.
Then price the linear-foot items: trim, inside and outside corners, J-channel, starter strip, soffit and fascia. These are easy to miss and often add up to as much labor as the field siding itself. Finally, add tear-off and disposal of the old siding, house wrap or weather barrier, flashing, and labor by task, then your overhead and profit.
Residential Siding Bids
Most residential siding bids are vinyl, fiber cement or engineered wood. Vinyl installs quickly and is light to handle. Fiber cement is heavier, needs cutting dust control, and usually takes more labor per square. Engineered wood sits in between and has its own nailing and gap rules.
Each manufacturer publishes install requirements, such as clearances, fastener spacing, flashing details and paint or finish rules, and those requirements affect labor and warranty. Read the product's install guide before you set your production rate, and note the product and its install rules in your proposal.
Siding bid checklist
- Wall area measured per elevation, with openings deducted
- Squares calculated, with a waste factor for cuts and corners
- Trim, corners, J-channel, soffit and fascia priced by linear foot
- Tear-off, disposal and house wrap included (or excluded in writing)
- Labor set from your own production rates for the product
- Inclusions, exclusions and warranty terms written out
Siding jobs often come with roof and paint work. See roofing estimating and painting estimating with TradeBid.
Comparing tools? Read our roundup of free siding estimating software.
How it works
- Upload your siding scope or plans.
- TradeBid builds a line-item bid draft.
- Review, adjust, and send a branded PDF.
Start with a 7-day trial, then continue on Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master. You can also buy a single bid for $100.
Frequently asked questions
What siding systems does TradeBid support?
Fiber cement (HardiePlank), vinyl siding, wood siding, metal panels, cedar shingles, soffits, fascia, and specialty exterior cladding.
Does it deduct openings like windows and doors?
Yes — TradeBid drafts wall areas with window and door openings deducted. Check the quantities against the elevations before ordering material.
Can I add custom materials or pricing?
Yes — you can edit any generated line item, adjust quantities, add custom items, or modify unit prices before exporting.
How do you estimate siding squares?
Measure each wall by elevation (length × height, plus gables), subtract the openings, add the elevations together and divide by 100. One square is 100 square feet. Then add a waste factor for cuts and corners.
Can TradeBid bid fiber cement siding?
Yes. TradeBid drafts fiber cement, vinyl, engineered wood and metal siding lines, plus trim, soffit and fascia. Adjust labor to match the manufacturer’s install rules.
Is there free siding estimating software?
Try TradeBid free for 7 days, with 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. A card is required at checkout (Start for $0.00), and you won't be charged if you cancel before the trial ends. After that, plans start at $149/month, or a single bid is $100.