Siding

hello I am looking for some advice. I am having new siding installed and there is some questionable things that I'm noticing. I am not a contractor but these things don't look right to me. I have not paid the balance yet. But I don't know if I have recourse not to pay. Any help or suggestions would be great. Below are some pictures of time or j Chanel I think it's called and exposed wood

Not an expert by any means, but I do know that, on the top of a window, the bottom of the J channel should be cut long, so that it bends down outside of the vertical J channel. That directs water across and out. The way yours is cut, the water will run between the vertical J channel and the window.

What are my options? Do I not pay the rest of the balance and risk a lean on my home? Would I be able to prove the work is wrong? Im a single mom I work 2 jobs dnd saved up money for a long time to pay for this siding to finay get done. And now it is wrong. Sorry for the son story I just dont have anyone to ask and i am feeling very desperate right now. Thanks for the advice

I would call him back and point out the problemsame before giving him another penny. If he is unwilling to fix them properly, call a home inspector to document the problems. If he tries to put a lein on the house, you have a neutral 3rd party pros opinion. Get it fixed before you get other damage.

Ok I think will call a home inspector tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

Laurie, first off to House Repair Talk!

I'd advise not paying anything else until all issues are resolved. You are correct in identifying issues that you've posted. Water will be channeled behind the siding causing many hidden problems. Getting a third party to evaluate the install and having your contractor fix the issues is a great idea! It appears little if any of the detail work is done correctly.

Don't be afraid of him filling a lein, you have many options in your favor, Better Business Bureau, local licensing dept, you can fill a complaint against his contractors license. Facebook and social medias are powerful tools to bring attention to a companies reputation these days.

You can find the instruction for that siding on line. Print a copy so you can do the good inspection. Some times things that look goofy are fine and sometime the good looking stuff is all wrong.

Definitely the exposed wood will become a problem. They just did a cheap job instead of doing it right. As said, cut ends need to be folded down or in to cover the wood.

@laurie First off welcome to the forum.


As you have been told there is much to be desired with the quality of the work you had done. Much incorrect and much just sloppy right down to rough edges and cut markings left to be seen. Everyone cuts a piece short from time to time and when you do you toss that piece and recut a new piece that fits properly and move on. What you don’t do is nail it up.


The quality of the work suggests to me it was someone’s first attempt at siding a house and that always makes me wonder if they did what you can’t see correctly also. This kind of siding covers a multitude of sins and IMO should have something under it or prep work done to the old siding before it ever goes up. On my home they covered the house with a fan fold insulation product first.


Even how it is nailed up is important as the siding needs to expand and contract with temperature changes and it should be hung on the nails not hammered tight.


I would not give the installer another penny and I fear you have already given him too much for what you got.


Please reply back with the results of the inspection you are having done. I’m also curious as to how you found the guy that did the work?


We are here to help, and in the future come here before you sign the deal and we can help with finding the right person or at least asking the right questions.