Hardiplank-trim installed over siding

[Rebecca Gardner]

We are purchasing a new home but one of the biggest problems we have found with it is the hardiplank trim was installed over the siding. In the manufacturer's instructions it says DO NOT install trim over siding. Is this a problem? Also, there is a spot on the side of the house where the power comes into the house and attaches to the house, behind the 2" pole that goes up from the ground, there is a 1-2" gap in the siding with no weather barrier. What would be the proper way to have this done? The house has passed inspection with the city. Is the builder required to have this done properly according to manufacture instructions?

rebecca

[Darrel Hood]

Rebecca,
For practical purposes, the builder is only required to do what the city's inspectors are enforcing and what you are willing to negotiate. If you don't like the way something is done, bring it to the builder's attention and negotiate the resolution. However, be willing to walk away from the deal or you are negotiating from a weak position.

Any opening in the siding which results in no weather barrier is incorrect and should be redone. Trim over the siding is incorrect if the manufacturer's instructions don't include the method. However, it is commonly done with the gaps under the trim caulked.

[Scott Patterson]

We are purchasing a new home but one of the biggest problems we have found with it is the hardiplank trim was installed over the siding. In the manufacturer's instructions it says DO NOT install trim over siding. Is this a problem? Also, there is a spot on the side of the house where the power comes into the house and attaches to the house, behind the 2" pole that goes up from the ground, there is a 1-2" gap in the siding with no weather barrier. What would be the proper way to have this done? The house has passed inspection with the city. Is the builder required to have this done properly according to manufacture instructions?

rebecca

Rebecca, you need to hire a good home inspector. You have a couple of very good inspectors in your area that would be well worth their fee on this new home. With what you have found you can only guess at what a good inspector could find. The city inspection is not really an inspection, it most likely took the person about 10 minutes to issue the finial inspection on the home.