Day One: Removal and Substrate Inspection

• The crew begins by removing all existing siding, trim, and in most cases soffit and fascia if those are in the project scope. Removal exposes the building wrap or felt paper beneath and the sheathing substrate below that. This is the moment when the condition of what is underneath the existing siding becomes visible.

• A professional crew photographs the substrate condition as it is exposed and communicates findings to the homeowner before proceeding with any scope additions. Compromised housewrap is replaced before new material goes on. Sheathing that is soft, delaminated, or showing moisture damage is replaced before any new product is applied. These are the conditions that a pre-project inspection can often identify through probing but sometimes only becomes fully visible when the existing cladding is removed.

• If the scope includes window and door flashing work, the flashing is installed after substrate inspection and before new siding goes on. Sill pan flashing at the base of every window opening and step flashing at the vertical window jambs is the correct approach and the one most commonly skipped by contractors looking to compress the schedule.

Middle Days: Installation

• Siding installation typically begins with housewrap, then starter strip at the bottom of the wall, then field panels working upward course by course. Each course overlaps the one below it by the manufacturer-specified amount for that product. Corner posts and J-channel at window and door openings go in as each elevation is worked.

• This is the most visually satisfying phase of the project and the one where the exterior transformation becomes evident. It is also where the details that determine long-term performance are decided: nail pattern and nail depth control whether panels can expand and contract correctly, the gap at window and door J-channel determines whether trim transitions are watertight, and the soffit and fascia integration at the roofline determines whether the full exterior system is seamless or shows gaps at transitions.

• The crew will need access to all exterior walls, including areas that may be less accessible due to landscaping, grade changes, or adjacent structures. Communicate any access constraints to the crew lead before installation begins so staging can account for them.

Final Day: Trim, Caulking, and Cleanup

• The project closes with trim installation, caulking at all penetrations and transitions, and site cleanup. Exterior trim around windows and doors, at corners, and at the roofline transition is installed and caulked. Light fixtures, house numbers, and any hardware that was removed before installation is reinstalled or flagged for the homeowner to reinstall if the hardware requires specific fasteners or settings.

• The crew removes material packaging, debris, and staging equipment before leaving. A walkthrough with the homeowner or a photographic documentation of the completed installation is standard practice on a professional installation. Any punch list items identified during the walkthrough are addressed before the project is formally closed.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

The main things you need to do: clear the perimeter, protect valued plantings, remove exterior fixtures and hardware, and clear the driveway for staging. After that, the project is the crew's responsibility. Being reachable by phone during the project is worth doing, particularly on day one when substrate findings may generate a conversation about additional scope. Most Plymouth homeowners are not on-site continuously during a siding installation but check in at start and end of each day.

HOW PROOF BUILDERS APPROACHES THIS

Proof Builders communicates the project timeline, daily schedule, and substrate inspection protocol with every homeowner before work begins. If we find sheathing or housewrap conditions during removal that require scope additions, we photograph the findings and contact the homeowner before proceeding. We provide a final walkthrough and photograph the completed installation before closing the project.