Our new house is almost finished. We’re working on installing exterior trim right now. Getting kinda sick of it and wanting to hire someone to install about 1700 sq’ of fiber cement siding. Got a bid today of $5,500 just for the labor, only materials included in bid is the nails. This is just to install the siding, we will complete all the trimwork ourselves. I’d be willing to spend maybe $2,000 just to save the additional strain on the marriage. We did pretty much the same job on our old house (before it burned down) so I have a good idea what it would involve. Guy who gave us the bid really hates working fiber cement so maybe he bid it high? We’re in very small town about 40 miles southwest of Sioux City, Iowa. Anyone here interested or maybe know someone who might be?
Replies
In Omaha we get $120 per 4x9 sheet first level, 150 per sheet second and $180 on the third. Hardi is $15 ber sheet xtra.
This is for tear off, reside and caulk material included.
On a new house with no material Im thinking maybe $1.75 sq ft + 200 for meals and mileage that would put you at about 3100.00 A bit more if you are above 2 levels.
Call Craig 402 706 1568 if you are interested
Couldn't even guess what it would cost without knowing a lot more about your house. Lap siding or sheet goods? One story or two? Bump outs? Bump ins? Porches? Dormers? Elevation changes? How far will a siding crew have to drive to get to the job?
But, even not knowing those things I can tell you that I wouldn't touch it for $2,000.00
That estimated (5,000)price sounds low to me; It also sounds like your looking for somebody thats really desperate to do the siding because for 2,000.00, I would have to be working for 7-8$ per hour and be a total idiot. When I hear clients start to validate what they want to pay with the "Ive done this before", I run as fast as I can. If you can find someone to do it for 2,000, it will probably end up looking like it.
Buyer beware.
Easy buddy, I have done fibre cement siding on new construction for $1 a sq ft.. This does not frankly seem to be too far out of hand. By the way, that was for lap siding with 5 1/4 exposure.
My concern is that might not be what the locals charge.
Remember, new construction is faster. Also, the price is for labor only!!!
Here in central MN we get around $125 per square. More or less depending on number of stories etc.. So if you've got 1700 sq. ft. that would be just over $2100. Obviously different areas have different price levels but if that guy were here he would be way high.
Edited 8/12/2009 11:20 pm ET by sp30mn
This is a 1 1/2 story side gable bungalow with 2 car attached garage. One dormer on front, one on back. Highest point above ground 23'. Level lot, no landscaping in yet. Using 5 1/4" lap hung with 3 1/2 " reveal. It will be installed over 1" foam board, which is already in place. When I say I'd like to get it done for $2,000 that's the amount we'd definitely be willing to spend to get out of doing it ourselves, not neccessarily what I think someone else should be willing to do it for. Pay scales around here are usually pretty low, including my job which is only part time right now so it would maybe make sense for us to do it ourselves. This whole thing of hiring work done is new to me, we've generally done all our own remodeling, plumbing, wiring, appliance repair, you name it. When we built our kitchen addition the only thing we hired done was digging the hole for the basement. With some help from DH and teenaged son I poured footings, laid cement block and brick and everything else from foundation to roof, including building kitchen cabinets. Certain jobs I really never want to do again, especially blocklaying. If I can figure out how to do it I'll attach pictures of current project.
WW,
I like your attitude and the way you express yourself. If I lived in the area I'd be happy to work with you. It would be refreshing, to say the least.
What kind of scaffolding do you have? I'm thinking that a change there might be your answer.
HVC,
Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate all the responses I've received on here, even the more negative ones can be helpful.
We used to have some scaffolding DH bought back when he was in the sandblasting and painting business but it was very heavy. My brother in Rushville borrowed it long ago, doubt its worth the trouble of getting it hauled back. We do have a large air compressor installed in the garage and enough air hose to reach everywhere. Also still have the PC fiber cement shears we used on the old house. I suppose the guy who gave us the bid had to factor in driving from Sioux City every day and setting up and hauling tools. Contractors from the city aren't comfortable leaving their stuff out on a sight overnight like we often do. I'm thinking someone more local is probably going to be my best bet.
While I'm not really up to speed on the latest pump jack scaffolding, it seems to be what all the siding guys are using. I have a set of three old style pump jacks which were the standard for siding, back in my day. They're still O.K. for some projects but not nearly as useful as the modern version.
Modern aluminum pump jacks, used with strong aluminum planks are ideal for horizontal siding of all kinds. They move up and down easily, carrying the siding and larger tools on a bench level plank.
So two people can load up the scaffold with siding and tools, then pump their way gradually up the wall, keeping the scaffold at the best height for applying the siding.
If this idea interests you, try the BT Advanced Search feature above the topics column to search for "pump jacks" or "aluminum pump jacks". You could also Google: Aluminum Pump Jack Scaffolding for more information.
If the prices stop you, remember that you can buy and sell used scaffolding on Craigs list. Or you may be able to rent a set for a week and get 'er done.
I'm glad that you mentioned your own salary constraints. One thing I have found in this forum that indicates some insensitivity is that some folks here are very quick to defend high hourly rates. They start talking about insurance, vehicle and equipment costs, taxes, and the many other costs of doing business.
In your situation, you must deal with your financial limitations. That does not make you an evil person and does not take food out of the mouths of the families of our contractors. Like most people, you want a little more for your money and your expectations may be somewhat unrealistic; however, this is no reason for any contractor to get mad at you.
I recommend patience and further searching, including references, until you find a spot where your needs can meet the needs of a contractor. You don't have deep pockets, so you won't be able to hire the best. Contractors fall into a spectrum, just as with anything else.
The key, in my opinion, is to find a way to determine whether a particular contractor is quoting you a price that matches their own status and ability to deliver what they say they will. The danger is to end up with a contractor that asks for more than they are worth. As long as their estimate and their abilities make a good match, it boils down to your decision about what you can afford.How can you understand God if you can't understand people? How can you understand people if you can't understand yourself?