Here is one of the most common questions I hear when I am visiting with prospective clients who need to replace the siding on their home. Why are you removing the siding and all of the other companies we have spoken to want to leave it on?
Before I answer that let’s consider why those other companies want to leave the old siding on the house. First and foremost it’s about money! Surprised? I bet not considering the reputation many siding contractors have earned by worrying more about money and not the satisfaction of their customers.
Sometimes siding contractors feel they need to keep costs down to get the job. So, less work, less MONEY easier to sell. Honestly, we do see cases like that, but the main reason these other siding contractors want to leave the siding on is it equals less labor or less cost. Fewer days on the job. More completed jobs in the calendar year means MORE MONEY.
So what is the #1 reason to remove old siding before installing new siding? Hidden damage under your existing siding could come back to bite you if not fixed when replacing your siding. Damage could be from water penetration, termites or carpenter ants, improper flashing, or maybe a leaking window. Cutting a corner here could be costly. The fact of the matter is finding and fixing any problem found while replacing siding will cost much less than if you realize there is a problem that needs addressing later.
There are many more things we could discuss including recessing your windows, weather-resistant barriers, and building envelopes, but let’s not get in the weeds. Replacing the siding on your home is an expensive investment and doing it right should be the priority of the contractor you hire.
Just one more small thing in the picture above you can see how the siding is hiding issues. The damage was found under the window in the top picture. How healthy is it to have that much mold in a wall in your child’s bedroom? OK, not really a small thing because mold exposure is no laughing matter.