Why the quotes are so far apart
Ask five Long Island companies for a Hardie price and you can get numbers that differ by double. Some of that is what is included. A plank-only job on the walls is very different from a job with HardieTrim around every window, shingle gables and board-and-batten accents.
| Source | Published price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Exterior Co., Apr 2026 | $8 to $14 per sq ft | Installed |
| Alec’s Construction, Aug 2026 | $14 to $22 per sq ft | Lap siding, installed |
| Siding Long Island | $16 to $31 per sq ft | Lap siding up to full trim and accents |
| Good Guys Contracting, May 2026 | $30,000 to $55,000 | A 2,500 sq ft colonial |
Siding Long Island’s own breakdown shows how much the details move the total on a 2,000 square foot house: $32,000 to $44,000 for lap siding in a standard ColorPlus color, $38,000 to $52,000 with shingle gables, and $42,000 to $58,000 with trim and board-and-batten. A custom color adds 8 to 12%.
Long Island Exterior Co. says Hardie typically runs 50 to 100% more than standard vinyl.
HZ5 is the one for Long Island
James Hardie makes two versions for different climates. Its own definitions: HZ5 is for “freezing temperatures, extreme seasonal temperature variations, and snow and ice,” and HZ10 is for “hurricane-force winds, salty sea air of the coast, and the brutal, humid heat of the south.”
Long Island has salt air, but it also has real winters. Alec’s Construction puts it directly: HZ5 is formulated for freeze-thaw climates, and that is what belongs on a Long Island house. Good Guys Contracting says the same. If a quote specifies HZ10, ask why.
ColorPlus vs painting on site
ColorPlus is James Hardie’s factory finish, baked on in a controlled setting instead of brushed on in your driveway. Hardie gives it a 15-year finish warranty against peeling, cracking and chipping. Two things the warranty form makes clear: the payout is prorated after the first year, and repainting before 15 years voids it.
Primed boards painted on site are the alternative. Then the paint warranty is whatever the paint maker and the painter give you.
Hardie or vinyl
| James Hardie | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | Non-combustible, per Siding Long Island | Melts |
| Weight | About 2.5 lbs per sq ft | About 0.5 lbs per sq ft |
| Install time | 7 to 14 working days on a typical house (Good Guys) | Usually a few days |
| Best for | Staying put, salt air, a heavier-looking finish | A tight budget, a rental, selling soon |
Alec’s Construction says fiber cement does not melt, warp in the sun or attract insects, and holds up to salt air. The cost is mostly labor, because it is heavy and slow to cut and hang.
Checking the installer
James Hardie lists contractors in three tiers, Select, Preferred and Elite, on its Find a Contractor page. Elite contractors average more than 10 years with the brand. Hardie also notes these contractors are independent, and it does not warrant their installation. Get the installer’s workmanship warranty in writing, and check their Nassau or Suffolk license.
