I recently had my contractor replace the siding on my house, which was built around 40 years ago, but I came home to find out that he didn't use any house wrap. When I pointed this out, he claimed that the old insulation panels were sufficient. However, these panels are in pretty rough shape, with lots of gaps. I ended up buying a roll of house wrap myself, and he did put it on two sides but neglected the corners and the garage, where there's just plywood. He didn't install flashing around the windows either, just slapped new siding on top. Given that I specifically asked him to include house wrap, should I ask him to redo the garage and any areas without tyvek? Or should I demand that he redo everything missing flashing or tyvek? His response when I noticed the lack of house wrap felt dismissive, and I'm really concerned about how this might affect my home, especially considering the humid climate in Louisiana.
3 Answers
If your contract didn’t specify that house wrap was required, you might just have to pay and move on. It sucks, but make sure your next contractor has a clear plan, so this doesn’t happen again. It’s a learning experience—now you know what to look for!
I really wouldn't trust that guy to fix it correctly. If he cut corners once, he's likely to do it again. You need a contractor who pays close attention to water management details, especially in your area with tropical rains. You might want to look into hiring someone new who knows what they're doing. It's tough, but better to get it done right now than deal with potential water damage later!
Especially considering how moisture can trap in with the wrong sealing, you want to make sure it’s done right. Maybe ask him a few direct questions about the missing materials and see how he responds!
Yeah, if they don't have enough time to do it right, they definitely won't have time to fix their mistakes!
You might want to just cut your losses and find a new contractor to redo the job properly. Clearly, this guy isn’t equipped to handle the work you need. Before you pay him, get someone else to inspect what he’s done to make sure it’s safe and up to code. It’s a pain, but sometimes you have to learn the hard way!
Totally agree! Just make sure to document everything—pictures, notes, and communications. It'll help with any future discussions about payment or disputes.
True, but the installation should generally adhere to manufacturer specs regardless. It shouldn’t have to be detailed in the contract.