Central North Carolina · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 0 votes
Hey BiggerPockets community, I have a 53 unit property in NC that's from mid 80s that needs the siding replaced to improve look of the property. What are some of the Do's and Don'ts from those that have done such remodeling and any product recommendations that's on reasonable budget and can last for long time? Would appreciate any recommendations / suggestions. Thank you.
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y
Hi Apurva,
53 units -- It would be smart to talk to an Architect who does multi-family (In your general area) about the cost of doing a restyle as well as colors.
Especially if you choose a Hardie (Fiber Cement type) product.
With Hardie (Type) products, read the upkeep instructions, some require re-applying the joint sealers (factor that into your maintenance budget).
Also with Hardie (Type) products there is a service life to the color...some come pre-colored, some your contractors must paint on site, (some require priming of cuts when installed)---talk to the Architect about the maintenance schedule and the CAPEX for this.
Hardie makes big sheets of this for multi-family that Architects can use for visual effect and ease of installation.
With 53 units--springing for an Architect to help with this would be intelligent.
If your siding is not in bad shape and no rot I would just repaint it to a more modern color to imrpove its look. I looked into just changing a SFH from siding to Stucco and it was near 20k job. Im not sure how a 53 unit complex would be depending on size but sounds big to me. I imagine hardie-back siding will be pricing too because just the demo part is big job. Some stucco guys could go over existing siding if the siding is sound to save cost.