Replace siding or attempt repair?
Hi BP.
I need some repair guidance.
I am closing on a house next Friday. The lender is requiring repairs to the siding. They need to see the chipping paint scraped and the house repainted.
My contractor is recommending the house be resided with some T-111 because the bottom part of the siding, about knee height and down has some rot and he doesn't think we can find the same style siding to match.
He said we could try scraping, then apply an oil based primer to seal the rot, then paint, but he isn't recommending it.
The cost to reside the entire house is approx $4k. Not huge, but not insignificant either.
Any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated!
You should find out whether the replacement siding is available. If the contractor just doesn't think it's available and isn't making an effort to find out, it may be that he wants to make money on the new siding job.
I've always struggled to find a siding contractor I keep for more then one job. I presently shoot for 2-3 different bids to I can make sure they are being honest. How old is the siding overall? I would definitely take that aspect into consideration as well. If you did choose to do it now you could possibly never have to change it out again during your holding period and you could boost curb appeal in the process. What are the odds that another part of the siding will need repaired in a few years? If it helps save you a few months without tenants over the next 10-15 years you already covered the cost.
