The truth is that wood on the exterior of a home will likely fall prey to rot at some point. Wood and water are a bad combination, and that’s why many homeowners are moving to maintenance-free exteriors that don’t use wood at all.
However, if you do have wood sidings/cladding or windows and want to keep the natural beauty this material provides, this house repair guide will help.
The tips included will assist you in doing the work yourself, and if you have tools and experience, DIY repairs are certainly an option. The information will also help you hire a contractor – a handyman or siding contractor – if you prefer professional repairs.
Along with handy tips for replacing rotted wood siding and trim, you’ll find costs for DIY and professional repairs.
A list of tools is included and their prices that give you a clear idea of your expenses when doing the work yourself. You’ll learn how to save money on replacing exterior wood. Finally, a DIY resource list provides links to more helpful information for you to peruse.
These tips give you an overview of what’s involved in this home repair project. More tips are found in the resources section below.
Here’s a look at costs for DIY and professional repairs made to rotting wood on your home.
DIY wood siding and replacement cost: The cost of the siding will depend on its quality. Pine that must be painted costs less than cedar, for example. Siding boards cost $4.50 to $7 per 8-foot board. Wood trim costs about the same. Here are some of the tools and material costs. The price ranges for each tool are a result of differences in quality of the tools available.
Professional wood siding replacement costs: Your costs for the material and installation of replacement wood siding and trip will be $9 to $12 per square foot. The larger the section being repaired, the less the cost per square foot will be. For just one or two pieces, some siding contractors will have a minimum service fee of $100 to $175.
How to Save Money on Wood Siding and Trim Repair
Doing the work yourself will save money, especially if you can borrow the tools you don’t have. When choosing to hire a professional, call several contractors for estimates, and let them know that they are competing for the work. Ask about experience too, and you’ll find the best value on exterior wood repair.
Universal Roof and Contracting – On this local siding company’s site, many common questions about replacing wood siding and trim are answered.
Image Works Painting – This painting contractor offers tips for repairing rotted wood when the damage is relatively minor.
Lotz Painting – Here’s a page that shows what a siding contractor or painter should do when replacing damaged wood siding.