7 min read · Cost
A re-side is one of the more visible home projects you'll go through. This is what actually happens, week by week — what's loud, what's normal, what you'll need to decide, and what a good crew should do before you have to ask.
Before the start: assessment, contract, color, permits
An on-site assessment maps the house — square footage, substrate condition, opening locations, trim profile, and any visible damage. You'll review a written scope with itemized materials and labor, sign once you're comfortable, and pick colors with a sample-board review. Permits get pulled before tear-off begins; for WUI parcels, Chapter 7A documentation is part of the package.
Week 1: tear-off and substrate triage
Existing siding comes off down to sheathing. This is loud, dusty, and where surprises surface — rotten substrate, hidden flashing failures, prior repair shortcuts. We document what we find, photograph it, and walk you through any added scope before we proceed. A well-run tear-off ends with the home dried-in (housewrap and flashing) by end of day, every day.
Weeks 2–3: weather-resistive barrier, flashing, cladding
Housewrap goes on with correct laps; flashing details get installed at every opening, transition, and penetration. Then cladding installs from bottom up with correct fastener spacing, gapping, and clearances. This is where the long-term performance of the assembly is determined, and where bad crews skip steps that won't be visible at final inspection but will show up in 5 years.
Final week: trim, caulk, paint, walk-through
Trim, corner boards, frieze, and architectural detail go on. Caulk gets installed correctly at transitions. Finish coats are applied if the system requires them (factory-finished products skip this). A walk-through identifies any punch-list items before the crew leaves; corrections happen before final invoicing.
After the project: warranty, callbacks, maintenance
You receive written warranty documentation — both manufacturer (cladding and finish) and workmanship from us. Any callbacks in the first year are covered without back-and-forth. Annual gentle wash and a 5-year caulk check keep the assembly performing as designed.
What a good re-side crew does at each stage
| Stage | Expected practice |
|---|---|
| Pre-start | Written itemized scope; color review; permits pulled before tear-off |
| Tear-off | Documentation of substrate condition; dry-in by end of day |
| Weather-resistive barrier | Correct laps, taped seams, integrated flashing |
| Cladding install | Fastener spec to manufacturer standard; correct gapping and clearances |
| Trim and caulk | Correct caulk at transitions, not as a substitute for flashing |
| Walk-through | Punch list addressed before final invoicing |
Key takeaways
- Tear-off is where surprises surface — get the documentation
- Drying-in by end of day, every day, is non-negotiable
- Long-term performance is decided behind the cladding
FAQ
Quick Answers
Most whole-home re-sides run 2–4 weeks depending on size, weather, and substrate condition; we set a written schedule up front.
Yes — most homeowners do. There's noise during work hours; the home stays weather-protected outside work hours.
Substrate rot or flashing failure under aged hardboard. We document and walk you through it before proceeding.
We protect the house (dry-in by end of day, every day) and resume when conditions allow. Schedule extends; quality doesn't.
We do — and Chapter 7A documentation if your parcel requires it. Permits get pulled before tear-off.
Sources
Authoritative references
- James Hardie — official product & installation resources
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — verify a California contractor
External links to government, code, and manufacturer sources. Sierra Siding is not affiliated with these organizations; references are provided for verification.