Big Boys Hobbies

The vinyl siding clown show.

Beaker

Beaker

Elite Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2011
Messages
590
Location
Wisconsin
Needed shower after this one. Requested quote to remove old aluminum siding and tar shingles under it, replace with new vinyl. Salesman came out (well known company), walked around measuring, quoted me $21k. Dropped my beer, on grass for dramatics (empty of course). To shorten the story I'm just going to list the quotes where we started at and where we left it after 2 hours of haggling.

1. $21,000 they do everything.
2. $17,450 I remove old they install new.
3. $19,792 they do everything.
4. $18,076 they do everything.
5. $16,360 I remove old they install new.
6. $16,360 they do everything.
7. $15,269 they do everything.
8. $14,178 I remove old they install new.

:gaah:

I said will get back to him Fri. but at this point why not keep going :lol:, I mean why not ask for $3000? They have no problem trying to scam me out of $7000. Any advice ?
 
Beaker said:
Needed shower after this one. Requested quote to remove old aluminum siding and tar shingles under it, replace with new vinyl. Salesman came out (well known company), walked around measuring, quoted me $21k. Dropped my beer, on grass for dramatics (empty of course). To shorten the story I'm just going to list the quotes where we started at and where we left it after 2 hours of haggling.

1. $21,000 they do everything.
2. $17,450 I remove old they install new.
3. $19,792 they do everything.
4. $18,076 they do everything.
5. $16,360 I remove old they install new.
6. $16,360 they do everything.
7. $15,269 they do everything.
8. $14,178 I remove old they install new.

:gaah:

I said will get back to him Fri. but at this point why not keep going :lol:, I mean why not ask for $3000? They have no problem trying to scam me out of $7000. Any advice ?
Click to expand...

Yes- run. Get 3 other quotes from companies that don't play that game. It seems that the salesman (and you) don't know what the job is worth. Who gives a flying flip that this company is well known? Kay's Jewelers is well known and you can go there and pay top dollar for a very overpriced ring.

My buddy just had his house sided as well as roof and windows. He listens to the financial radio show Dave Ramsey, and I guess if you go to his website he has recommended contractors in your area. My friend was happy with the job and the installation company. BTW I am not recommending choosing the cheapest bid, but the one you feel the most comfortable with. Most home improvement jobs like this are subcontracted out anyway, I would feel the best trying to find a contractor that was doing the job theirself. Oh and don't pay anymore than a third down, if you want to be sure they come and finish the job.
 
My advice would be to not go with vinyl.

With vinyl, you have the possibility of warping, UV damage and fading over time.

I went with Hardy Plank, concrete-composition board, not the cheap wood pressboard. If installed properly, looks great, 50 year warranty. Wood-grain embossing.

Then again, I plan on retiring in this house.
 
Get other quotes. The more you get the better. It will give you a better idea on pricing for your particular job. After you have multiple quotes and have checked into the companies that gave you quotes then start haggling with the companies you feel comfortable with.
 
I'm a contractor , and will agree with the Hardi Plank siding . It's going to last for a while . That salesman probably gets a commission , and you just knocked him out of it . Find a smaller company , get some refrences , the bigger ones have overhead and advertising to pay for . I like the ones that say call today and get 10% off your entire bill . Really , how can you say that without looking at the job . Well , I'll tell you how , they're going to overcharge the !!!! out of you to start with . Find a smaller company , you'll get someone who want's to make sure your satisfied with the job .
 
We had a guy come out and give us a quote on new windows. He started out around $10,000 and when he was done giving "discounts" for one thing and another it was about half that.
 
If you're physically able, by all means do it yourself. Seriously.

I needed five standard windows, five larger windows and one 5x3 window and siding on my small house and garage. His quote: $28,000 :shock:

I had my neighbor's brother measure and help install the windows (for cash). I did all the tear off and put on my vinyl siding, soffit and fascia. Total cost of all materials: about $3000. Everything came from Menards including the six custom windows (which are very nice). It wasn't very labor-intensive at all. In an afternoon you can learn all you need to know about installing vinyl siding. Just wrap the house good, seal the gaps on the windows, install insulation if you need to and make sure the siding starter strip is exactly level. The rest goes on fast.

Double 4" siding in white. White will never go out of style or fade. 26 houses on my street and only three are white. White was a slam-dunk choice.
 
Or you can just do it yourself it's not hard to do if you know what to get. I did a little job at my last job it was easy to do.
 
Grumpa said:
We had a guy come out and give us a quote on new windows. He started out around $10,000 and when he was done giving "discounts" for one thing and another it was about half that.
Click to expand...

:lol: oh yes, the discounts were the best, first was a friends & family discount, then was a sales manager discount, then a secret discount I couldn't tell anyone about :lol: "ill get back to you" is all powerful. I recently asked for 15% discount at an antique store during check out and they instantly gave it. Then I kicked myself for not asking for more. :?: at least I knew the value of what I was buying there and got a great deal.

Thanks for everyone's input.
 
amc rulz said:
My advice would be to not go with vinyl.

With vinyl, you have the possibility of warping, UV damage and fading over time.

I went with Hardy Plank, concrete-composition board, not the cheap wood pressboard. If installed properly, looks great, 50 year warranty. Wood-grain embossing.

Then again, I plan on retiring in this house.
Click to expand...

I did the same when I built my house, I used the Hardy T111 4X10 panels, its been nearly 10 years and they still look great. Vinyl installed 5 years ago on a house I rent in GA looks like !!!!.
If I had it to do over again I'd still go with the Hardy, but I'd have used the planks, they just look better.
 
I have not had this done at a home since 1991, but when I did I called multiple different folks to give estimates. I worked 2 jobs all week and insisted they come on a Saturday to give quotes. I ended up with 6 guys here to give quotes and 4 came all at the same time, basically, because I tried to arrange it that way.
Then I eliminated one because he could/would not give me actual references of people that I could call and see his prior work.
The 3 got into a bidding war and I ended up paying $2200 for what they called at the time "Forever" siding at the time (vinyl with good insulation and well installed,lifetime warranty). That house still looks good when I drive by and it's still all the same siding. We transferred the warranty to the new owner when we sold it.
I forgot to add, in addition to siding, they capped the existing windows and wood trim around the garage with aluminum, replaced soffets, and the part the gutters hangs on was replaced and the gutters rehung properly as they were kind of messed up before. We did not buy shutters to save money - instead we had the house sided grey and the windows capped in a contrasting white and it looked great!
 
Should get about $1000 at scrap yard for leftover aluminum. Even if I have someone do tear off, gonna keep aluminum.
 
I agree that you should have several estimates. We're getting our fascia and soffits capped with aluminum and vinyl. High estimate was $23k from a very reputable company. Gave references, had warranty. Low was $13,500 by an independent contractor. He came highly recommended by a close friend, and we decided to go with him. Did GREAT work, place looks great! We'll be using him for most of the other projects.

We have the Hardi cement siding on our garage. Looks great, should last a long time. But it still needs to be painted. We put it up about 4 years ago, hopefully the paint will last longer than paint on wood. It looks so much like wood that most folks don't know it's cement till we tell them. Also, some insurence companies give a discount for it due to being non-flammable. Curt
 
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