Replies to post #7301 on I-Home improvement (IHIP)

[Quasi]

RE: EZ2, .. outside boards...

Not sure exactly what you're dealing with, but I will assume its the exterior painted wood siding of your home.

I've dealt with many 100+ year old houses which have damaged clapboard siding, its a bit of a tricky job to replace the odd piece or section and make it look original. Stock replacement boards are never available, I have to have them milled up to match at my local cabinet shop, not cheap but they match exactly.

Next removing a section in the middle of the field, replacing it and making it look original is a little tricky as the boards are all overlapped as you go up, but it can be done.

The large firms usually don't want these kind of tedious jobs and the small handyman would probably attempt it with a chainsaw, crowbar and try to match in the closest stock board he could find at Home Depot. In my area its the very small (one or two man) general contractors who specialize in this kind of work as no one else will do it. Get a few quotes, check some other jobs they've done and go with the guy who makes you feel comfortable. Note also you will have to find these guys by word of mouth as the good ones don't advertise, they don't have to, they are so busy with their regular repeat customers.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Quasi

[Phil(Hot Rod Chevy)]

EZ,

Framing is generally considered the structure of the building, and is not open to the elements.

If it's framing, I would consult with a contractor.

If it's just trim work like siding or trim, almost anyone can do it.

I have a friend that is a painting contractor, and he gets me to do most of his simple trim carpentry.

Anything bigger than simple trim, he leaves it to the homeowner to have fixed before he shows up.

Whatever you do though, if you have anything replaced, use PVC where you can for trim and hardyplank where you can for siding.

Phil

Edit: I see you are talking about cedar siding. Go back with cedar or cypress if you can find it.

[MrBankRoll]

In our neck of the woods, there seems to be a specialist for each and every aspect of building and/or repairing a home.....

The obvious, electricians, plumbers, drywallers...... And also the one or two guys to hold a board, another to hold a nail, another to swing the hammer, and a supervisor to tell them that the nail has been sunk far enough. :~)

Check the yellow pages under siding. Get a few siding contractors out there to give you a bid, talk to 'em, pick their brain the best you can, get a feel for their knowledge, and go from there.

PS. The bigger the add, the bigger the price has been in my experience. Quite often you'll get a crew of foreign speaking workers to do the work from the big companies. If any questions arise, it makes it difficult to communicate once they get started.

I believe I already whined about my nightmarish experience with the A+ Plumbing clowns a few years back. Huge add, the salesman talked a good game, but the actual work performed was unbelievably shoddy.

[EZ2]

THANKS everyone......got a few starting points !!!

EZ

[BullNBear52]

Phil and I.