I am replacing the 30 year old windows on my home, small 1500sqft house in SF Bay Area. The front of the house is straightforward but in the back of the house, I have vinyl siding, also 30 years old.
The window contractor I’m using told me that all the siding would have to be removed and reinstalled in order to replace the back windows, which added a ton onto the cost. So I had him quote replacing with new hardie siding instead.
Window quote is 22k which for my area I think is very fair but 17k additional for the siding. The old siding is a little tired looking but in fine shape and, as far as I know, doesn’t *need* to be replaced. I do live near the beach and the weather is pretty intense, especially on that side of the house, so it is hard-working siding.
I’m basically wondering if there a less invasive way to do this project that I’m not considering? I suggested cutting around the windows in the existing siding to at least defer a permanent replacement but the contractor said it won’t seal correctly. At some point in the past a prior homeowner changed a window out for a sliding glass door and I doubt he removed all of the siding from the entire rear wall.
Then, on the other hand, is it time that I replace the vinyl anyway? Should I just bite the bullet? Does this sound like a reasonable quote (for a hcol area)? In theory I could sub this out myself and save some money but I’m just needing a gut check.