International Builders Inc

Boston requires a building permit through the Inspectional Services Department for a full re-side, and historic districts (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Bay Village, South End) add Boston Landmarks Commission review of any visible material, profile, or color change. Because nearly all of the city's wood-frame stock predates 1978, stripping or disturbing old clapboard triggers federal RRP lead-safe work rules — contractors must be EPA Lead-Safe certified for the demolition and cleanup. Mid-century homes clad in asbestos-cement shingles need a licensed abatement contractor to remove and dispose of the old material before new siding is installed; that work is regulated by MassDEP.

Boston siding costs run high because of dense access, parking, and labor rates. A standard vinyl re-side on a single-family typically lands $14,000–$26,000; insulated vinyl runs $17,000–$31,000. Fiber-cement (HardiePlank) is usually $22,000–$46,000 depending on trim detail, and cedar clapboard runs higher still. Three-deckers and larger two-families cost more per job because of the added wall area, staging on tight lots, and the lead-safe or asbestos handling that older buildings often require. Steep gables and ornate trim on Victorian-era homes also add labor.

Massachusetts requires a written contract and a Home Improvement Contractor registration for most residential siding work; ask for the registration number and check it before paying a deposit.

More on permits, costs, rebates and common questions, plus every other siding contractor serving the town, on the Siding in Boston page.