Before You Quote That Cedar Siding Job: What Painters Should Look for on the Walkaround

A homeowner calls and says their cedar siding needs another coat. From the driveway, it looks straightforward. Then you round the corner and find peeling finish under two windows, bare shakes on the sunny side, and a section above the porch roof that’s going to take extra time to reach. That’s why painters should walk the whole house before putting a number on a cedar siding job.

Look at every side of the house

The front wall doesn’t tell you what’s happening on the back. One side might still have a sound coating while another has exposed, weathered wood. Take photos of each wall and note where the finish is holding, where it’s peeling, and where the wood is bare. Those notes help you explain why the prep may differ from one side of the house to the next.

Find out what the homeowner means by “restored”

Ask whether they want to keep the existing look or see more of the natural grain. If they’re asking for a translucent stain over siding that already has an opaque coating, that can change the prep and the price. If you’re unsure what’s on the wood or what it will take to remove, agree on a small test area before promising a result across the whole house.

Flag the work that could change your price

Look for recurring stains below windows and gutters, soft or damaged shakes, and areas that will take extra time to reach. Then be specific in the estimate: Which walls need more prep? Does the price include replacing damaged wood? Who handles a suspected leak before the new finish goes on? It’s easier to have that conversation during the walkaround than after your crew has already started.

If you’re a painter or exterior cleaning contractor getting more calls for cedar siding, Everett Abrams’s Wizard of Wood Exterior Wood Restoration Manual is a reference you can keep in the truck. It covers wood types, prep methods, equipment, and estimating. See what’s inside the manual.

Got a cedar siding job coming up? Order the Wizard of Wood Exterior Wood Restoration Manual on Amazon and have it handy before your next estimate.