Cedar cladding price per square metre typically ranges from $25 to $120 depending on grade, finish, and installation scope. The main cost drivers are materials grade, board width, surface treatment, labor hours, and access for delivery and installation. This article provides concrete per‑m2 pricing and practical ways to budget accurately for cedar siding projects.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material cost per m2 (uninstalled) | $12 | $40 | $90 | Includes rough sawn or common grade cedar |
| Labor cost per m2 | $15 | $40 | $60 | Removal, installation, fastening |
| Finish and treatment per m2 | $5 | $12 | $25 | Sealant, stain, or paint |
| Delivery/handling per m2 | $2 | $6 | $12 | Regional freight and staging |
| Waste removal per m2 | $1 | $3 | $6 | Disposal of offcuts |
Assumptions: Midwest labor rates, standard 19–25 mm thickness cedar, typical access for a single-story home, standard site prep, and regular peak-season scheduling.
Typical Cedar Cladding Costs Per Square Metre by Grade and Finish
Common grade and finish choices shape overall price per m2. Rough-sawn clear cedar costs more than standard heartwood grades, while prefinished boards reduce field labor but raise upfront material expense. Expect low-range prices around $25–$40 per m2 for lower grades with basic finishes, while premium clear or aromatic cedar with factory finishes can push to $80–$120 per m2 installed.
Major Cost Components in Cedar Cladding Quotes per m2
Material, labor, and finishing dominate the quote, with smaller shares for delivery and disposal. Material costs per m2 typically range from $12 to $90, depending on grade and width; labor commonly runs $15 to $60 per m2; finishing adds $5 to $25 per m2. The following table breaks down a representative quote by cost driver.
| Cost Component | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $12 | $40 | $90 | Board grade, width, length |
| Labor | $15 | $40 | $60 | Installation, nailing, fitting |
| Finish | $5 | $12 | $25 | Stain/paint/sealant |
| Delivery | $2 | $6 | $12 | Regional transport, handling |
| Disposal | $1 | $3 | $6 | Waste management |
Assumptions: Suburban project in the South region with standard 1500–2000 ft2 wall area, single-story home, no custom profiles.
Regional Variations That Shift Cedar Cladding Pricing per m2
Prices vary with climate, supply, and labor markets. Coastal markets and regions with high cedar demand often skew higher. Expect per m2 material costs to swing by 10–25% between regions, while labor rates may differ by 5–15% depending on local crews and permitting requirements. A midwestern project may sit near the national average, while coastal California can push higher due to material transport and code requirements.
How Board Width and Profile Change the Per‑Metre Cost
Wider boards reduce the number of pieces but can raise material waste and cutting time. Board width of 150 mm to 185 mm typically adds 5–15% to material cost per m2 versus 100 mm boards, while more complex profiles (tongue-and-groove, cladding battens, or shiplap) raise installation time and labor rates by a similar margin.
System Type Effects: Prefinished vs Bare Cedar on Price per m2
Prefinished boards save field labor but increase upfront cost. Prefinished cedar can add 10–30% to material cost per m2, while reducing finish labor by 30–50%, depending on the warranty and coating quality. Bare cedar requires staining or sealing after installation, adding subsequent maintenance costs.
Site Prep, Access, and Installation Scope per m2
Preparation and access impact time and equipment needs. Simple single-story installations with clean surfaces may stay in the lower range, while multi-story homes, tight spacing, or old siding removal push costs higher. Include scaffolding, power washing, or existing siding removal in the budget if relevant.
Cost-Reduction Tactics for Cedar Cladding by the Square Metre
Strategic choices can cut overall spend without sacrificing durability. Standardize board width, choose a mid-range grade, and bundle delivery with other exterior work to reduce logistics and scheduling costs. Consider DIY finish for a portion of the project only if local code and warranty allow it, and compare quotes that bundle removal and disposal with installation.
Practical Quote Example Scenarios per m2
Real-world quotes reveal how scope affects price. Scenario A: 120 m2 of 150 mm knotty cedar, no finish, standard labor might land around $28–$60 per m2 installed. Scenario B: 180 m2 of clear, prefinished cedar with tongue-and-groove joints could range $75–$120 per m2 installed, due to material and precision trade labor. Scenario summaries help buyers compare apples-to-apples across regions.
Assumptions in Pricing Ranges for Cedar Cladding per m2
All figures assume typical residential exterior walls, standard weather exposure, and normal access. Assumptions: U.S. regional labor averages, standard cedar thickness, standard fasteners, and normal outdoor climate exposure.
