Map each wall and settle tear-off, concealed damage, drainage, flashing, lead-safe work, warranties, and proof before siding hides the assembly.
A siding-replacement quote should describe the wall behind the siding, not stop at the color and product line. Require a wall map, tear-off decision, sheathing-findings process, weather-resistive barrier and drainage details, opening flashings, lead-safe work where applicable, warranty terms, and closeout proof. That is the installed wall you are buying.
Give every bidder the same wall map
Number each wall, story, gable, bump-out, chimney return, porch connection, roof-wall intersection, window, door, vent, pipe, meter, light, deck ledger, hose connection, and known leak or damaged area. Record siding type, visible layers, additions, prior repairs, interior stains, peeling finishes, soft areas, and exposure to wind or runoff. Use safe ground-level photographs and existing records; homeowners should not remove cladding, probe suspect material, or work from a ladder to complete the map.
State whether the contract includes full tear-off, limited tear-off, or installation over existing cladding. Identify every layer removed, disposal, temporary weather protection, wall sections excluded, and the condition required for an over-clad installation. If the old wall stays hidden, the quote should say which sheathing, flashing, and water-path questions remain unanswered.
Set the sheathing rule before demolition
Define damaged sheathing and framing with observable criteria, then list included quantities and unit prices by material and thickness. Require mapped photographs after tear-off and before covering. Structural decay, insect damage, missing backing, unsafe wiring, or unexplained moisture should trigger a written pause and the qualified trade or design review the condition needs. Do not let an open wall turn “replace as needed” into unlimited authorization.
DOE's exterior retrofit guide tells homeowners to find the root of moisture symptoms rather than repainting or covering them. It also explains that the true rain plane may be the housewrap or building paper behind the siding, and that the assembly needs a way to drain and dry. My opinion: replacement siding that hides an unexplained wet wall is a failed project even when the new exterior looks perfect.
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Draw the drainage plane through every interruption
Name the weather-resistive barrier product, substrate preparation, fastening, seams, laps, repairs, transitions, and bottom drainage path. DOE's water-managed wall guidance notes that residential cladding can leak through joints and gaps. It calls for a drainage plane behind the cladding, with housewrap or another accepted barrier integrated over flashing at windows, doors, penetrations, and the top or base of walls.
Require opening-specific details for head, jamb, sill, pan, kickout, deck, roof-wall, meter, vent, pipe, and mounting-block conditions. State what is removed, reused, added, or repaired and how each flashing ties into the barrier in shingle fashion. Price trim, soffit, fascia, gutters, shutters, lights, utilities, sealants, insect screens, clearances, and interior finish damage separately. Assign who disconnects and reconnects electrical, gas, communications, and mechanical equipment.
Put dust, warranty, and proof in the contract
For paid work disturbing painted surfaces in covered pre-1978 housing, EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting page says firms generally must be certified and workers trained in lead-safe practices. The quote should assign testing or presumption, certification, containment, debris handling, cleaning, occupant protection, and any state or local requirements. Suspected asbestos, extensive contamination, or unsafe structural and electrical conditions need their own qualified plan.
Compare the manufacturer's material warranty with the contractor's workmanship warranty. Record required accessories, fastening and clearance rules, registration, transfer, exclusions, finish or fade terms, remedy, labor coverage, and who handles a claim. Closeout should include permits and inspections, concealed-work photos by wall number, product labels and colors, flashing and barrier details, approved change orders, cleanup, remaining exceptions, warranty documents, and care instructions.
The FTC recommends multiple written estimates with the work, materials, completion date, and price in its contractor guidance. Pair this scope with the quote comparison guide and the change-order checklist. Compare the same mapped wall, including the layers that disappear on installation day.