How Much Does It Cost to Replace Exterior Trim?

Exterior Trim Cost by Material Type

There are a wide variety of trim materials, and they all come with their own benefits and drawbacks. The type you select will depend on your budget, home style, trim shape, and required level of durability. For illustrative purposes, below are cost details of four of the most common exterior trim materials.

Wood

Depending on the wood quality, treatment, and width, you could spend anywhere from around $1 to $10 per linear foot. You’ll pay more for a cedar or redwood trim than you will for one made from pine or an engineered composite variety, but they have better longevity and require less maintenance.

All woods are prone to taking on moisture and are likely to need retreating and replacing sooner than synthetic trims, but they’re popular as a sustainable option for use on historic homes.

Plastic

Depending on the trim style and width, expect to pay around $1 to $8 per linear foot. Many plastic trims are available, including polyurethane, vinyl, cellular PVC, foamed polystyrene, polymer composite resin, and polyethylene lumber.

Plastic tends to be a little more expensive than standard solid wood, but their weatherproofing qualities make them a more practical and long-lasting option.

Metal

Expect to pay around $2 to $6 per linear foot for aluminum or steel exterior trims. They’re hard-wearing, resistant to insects and fire, and often painted to look more in keeping with other house materials.

Metal won’t warp or crack like vinyl can in extreme temperatures, but it isn’t always as aesthetically pleasing. Plus, cutting, mitering, and sealing metal is more time-consuming, so labor costs are higher.

Fiber Cement

Manufacturers use a mixture of materials that includes sand and fibers made from cardboard, and it typically costs around $2 to $10 per linear foot. It’s another material that can have higher installation costs as it’s heavy and generates considerable dust.

Fiber cement is a popular choice in hot regions with high humidity as it isn’t susceptible to warping like vinyl, and it won’t absorb moisture like wood can.

Vinyl and PVC

Expect to spend about $10 to $25 per linear foot of exterior vinyl trim on your home’s exterior. However, you may pay more if you have a two- or three-story home; pros often charge more for homes with difficult-to-reach areas.

Exterior Trim Installation Costs

Contractors may charge you per linear foot for installation or an hourly rate. Expect to pay anything from around $1 to $5 per linear foot and between $70 to $100 per hour, depending on the complexity of the job.

For a 1,500-square-foot home with 500 linear feet of trim, you can expect to pay up to around $2,500 for installation. Completing this with a simple vinyl trim costing $2.50 means the total cost for the job, including materials, would be around $3,750.

Some contractors will also charge for the removal of the existing trim, and you should factor this into your budget if you don’t plan on removing it yourself.

Exterior Trim Costs by Type

The shape and style of exterior trims vary. Specialized moldings for corners and ends tend to be more expensive than simple lengths of trim. Some of the common types of exterior trim you may hear your contractor refer to include:

Fascia Trim

Depending on the material used, fascia board costs between $1 and $8 per linear foot. The fascia covers the horizontal boards running across rafter tails. They form the edge of overhanging eaves, preventing moisture from getting into the roof and supporting guttering.

Soffit

On average, soffit boards cost between $1 and $3 per linear foot. Soffits enclose the underside of eaves and help prevent moisture ingress, vent attic space, and control animals nesting.

Rake Board

On average, rake boards cost between $1.50 and $5 per linear foot. Rake boards are similar to fascia, but they sit on the sloped gable parts of the roof.

Frieze Boards

Prices are similar to fascia trim at $1 to $8 per linear foot. These boards are mainly for decorative purposes to create a smooth line where the siding meets eaves or soffits.

J Channel Trims

Used alongside vinyl siding, J channel trim typically costs between $2 and $8 per linear foot. Often used to frame doors or windows or at the roofline to hide side panel ends, J channel trims help create a finished look.

Drip Cap

Expect to pay around $2 to $4 per linear foot for drip caps. Sometimes referred to as head flashing, the drip cap redirects water to prevent damage around windows and doors.

Outside Corner

Plan to pay $0.80 to $4.50 per linear foot for outside corner trim. These pieces help create a more seamless installation and view where pieces connect.

Exterior Trim Installation Costs Near You

Exterior Trim Installation Cost Factors

Alongside the type of trim, material used, and location of your home, other factors can influence the cost of installing exterior trim. These include:

Trim Thickness

The width of the trim you opt for will depend on its location, the style of your home, the thickness of the house sidings, and personal preference. If you’re opting for wider boards, expect the cost to be more.

Age and Style of Your Home

Historic homes traditionally have thicker trims, so replacing them with a similar width could cost more than the thinner trim you may use on a modern home.

Labor costs could be more for installing trim on a two-story home because of the additional practical and safety challenges. This is also true for structures with more architectural detail or a complex shape.

Required Maintenance

Although simple wood trims can work out cheaper than those made from vinyl or fiber cement, they require considerably more upkeep and don’t have the same longevity. Wood needs regular painting, especially if you’re in a region that suffers from severe changes in weather.

DIY vs. Hire an Exterior Trim Installation Pro

A confident DIYer may install or replace exterior trim themselves, saving on labor costs, but it’s often a job best left to the professionals. Understanding the type of trim required and ensuring the proper fit can be a challenge, especially if you’re working at height. Because some materials are prone to expansion and contraction, contractors will account for this when fitting. Plus, for a whole house exterior trim installation, a contractor may be able to save money on the cost of the raw materials.

"Keeping your trim in good shape is important,” says Andy Kilborn, Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA. “Trim in a degraded state can lead to increased water damage and pest infestation."

If a contractor charges extra to remove existing trim before replacing it, you could reduce costs by removing it yourself.