Please forgive this question from a novice ...

My home in west-central Florida (build in the mid-80s) has some type of composite wood siding. It is decaying badly and needs to be replaced. The home is currently on the market. If I was staying here, I'd likely replace with a Hardi type siding. Instead, to make the job a bit less expensive, I'm opting for vinyl.

In talking with someone who has sided numerous homes (though not his occupation), he says we can install the new vinyl right over the top of the old decaying siding ... and that where he lives (NC), local codes are OK with it.

Some place are better than others. The image below shows one of the really bad areas.


It may be faster ... but it seems to me it could end up looking uneven. Maybe there are other issues as well? Maybe I'm the worrying over nothing?

Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!