Thank you again for choosing Pacific Exteriors! Now that work is beginning, this guide will walk you through what happens before and during construction, how to prepare your home, and how we’ll handle common situations that may come up along the way.
We know construction can be stressful—there’s noise, disruption, and sometimes unexpected surprises. But our goal is to make the experience as smooth and low-stress as possible. We promise we’ll communicate clearly, respect your space, and do our best to minimize disruptions while delivering high-quality work that transforms your home.
From material deliveries to daily routines, service disruptions to final walkthroughs, here’s what you can expect and how you can help us keep your project running smoothly.
Before Construction Begins
Before construction begins, our production team gets to work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. We order all necessary materials in advance, coordinate with our trusted crews, and schedule the work to fit your timeline. Each project is also assigned a dedicated project manager who will oversee every phase of the job and serve as your main point of contact from start to finish.
🚛 Material & Dumpster Delivery
You can expect materials and possibly a dumpster to be delivered shortly before your project starts. If space is limited or the project doesn’t require a dumpster, debris may be stacked neatly and hauled off by truck.
If access to your driveway or street is needed, we’ll give you a heads-up so you can move any vehicles to ensure a smooth delivery.
Please don’t place household waste in the construction dumpster. It’s reserved for job-related debris only.
⚠️ Utility Disconnections
If any power attachments (such as service masts, electrical lines, or conduits) are too close to the siding or roofline, they may need to be temporarily disconnected prior to construction. Your Project Manager will determine if this applies to your home.
This also applies (but is not limited to) heat pumps, solar panel electrical fixtures, exterior tankless water heaters, and electric car chargers. Your Project Manager will help coordinate these disconnections in advance to avoid delays.
During Construction
👷️ Crew & Work Hours
Most of our job sites operate with a 2 to 3 person crew, working Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Sometimes, the crew may arrive later or leave earlier depending on traffic or material runs.
Crews may work on Saturdays to stay on schedule. If you prefer no weekend work, just let your Project Manager know.
⚡ Temporary Utility Outages
During siding or window installation, electrical, cable, or gas service disruptions may occur. These are typically minor and short-lived.
- Electrical: Try resetting your circuit breakers and GFI outlets if power goes out.
- Gas: If your home has an earthquake sensor on the gas meter, vibrations from work may trigger it. Consult your gas meter’s instructions to reset your service, or contact your Project Manager if you need assistance.
- Phone/Internet/Cable: If service is interrupted, we’ll try to resolve it. If a technician visit is required and the issue was caused by us, we’ll cover the bill.
☔ What Happens If It Rains?
Our company started in the rainy Pacific Northwest, and we know how to handle rain! Once your old siding is removed, we immediately install a vapor barrier to protect your home during wet weather. We monitor forecasts and take extra precautions when necessary.
🪚 Construction Realities: Expect Some Disruption
Construction is an exciting but sometimes unpredictable process. Here are a few important realities to keep in mind:
- Delays can happen. Weather, material availability, or unexpected repairs may affect the timeline.
- Unforeseen issues arise. We’ll handle them quickly and keep you informed.
- You’ll be involved. Your availability for questions, approvals, or minor decisions keeps things moving.
- Stress is normal—but avoidable. Communicate with your Project Manager, and trust that we’re here to support you every step of the way.
🪟 Window Installations (If Applicable)
If windows are part of your project, here’s how that works:
- A specialized crew will return shortly after your pre-construction meeting to critically measure each opening and order the correct windows.
- Windows typically arrive in 4–8 weeks.
- Once they’re in, the installation team will arrive 1 week before siding starts.
- The crew will need access to your home’s interior during the install. Please:
- Move furniture 3 feet away from windows
- Remove all blinds and window treatments
- Power off electronics nearby
- Expect some dust—we’ll lay plastic and clean each area as we go
🏠 Roofing (If Applicable)
Roofing is a key part of your exterior project and usually happens after windows and siding, but before painting and gutters. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- It moves fast. Most roof installations take just Safety comes first.
- 3–5 days from start to finish. Keep kids, pets, and outdoor belongings away from the home’s perimeter—roofing involves heavy materials and there can be falling debris.
- It can get smelly. Roofing products release fumes and odors during installation. If you or anyone in your house, (including pets!) are sensitive to smells, plan ahead to minimize exposure and mitigate these odors.
- Weather plays a role. Roofing is weather dependent. If rain moves in, we’ll pause construction, protect any exposed areas, and resume once it’s safe.
- Satellite dishes may need attention. If we need to remove your dish during roofing, we’ll do our best to re-install it. However, you’ll need to schedule a technician with your satellite provider to realign the dish and restore service.
Your Project Manager will keep you informed every step of the way. Let us know if you have questions—we’re here to help!
🎨 Painting Phase
- Painting happens after siding is complete and is done by a separate crew.
- Expect a gap of 1–3 months between siding and painting, depending on weather and scheduling.
- Decks, railings, porches, and foundations are not painted unless specifically included in your contract.
- If your siding is pre-painted, we may still need to paint other parts of your home (e.g., soffits, vents, fascia, utility boxes) to match.
🧱 Mid-Project Notes & Issues
Rot Repairs
If we discover rot during demolition:
- If it’s included in your contract, we’ll repair it promptly.
- If not, we’ll notify you, cover the area temporarily, and provide a quote.
- Most rot can be repaired by our team, but extensive framing may require a specialist.
Material Shortages
If we run short on supplies:
- Standard items will be restocked quickly.
- Special order items may take several weeks—or longer.
- We’ll complete all possible work while waiting and return to finish up once materials arrive.
Scaffolding
Most projects require roof-mounted scaffolding, which is securely installed and removed with care. Nail holes from the scaffolding will be sealed with roofing-grade sealant.
Foundation
Siding will not be installed over your home’s foundation. Instead, it will overlap the concrete 1–3 inches, as per manufacturer guidelines.
✍️ Change Orders
Thinking of adding something mid-project? Talk to your Project Manager. We’ll walk you through a Change Order to update the scope and pricing of your contract.
Now is a great time to upgrade key components of your exterior:
- Gutters: Ensure water is directed away from your siding and foundation.
- Fascia & Soffits: Improve both aesthetics and performance.
- Windows: Boost energy efficiency and comfort.
- Insulation: Exterior wall insulation increases comfort and can reduce energy bills by up to 17%.
✅ Wrapping Up Your Project
Here’s what happens as we reach the finish line:
- Dumpster & leftover materials will be removed once siding is complete. Any unused materials remain the property of Pacific Exteriors LLC.
- Satellite dishes may need to be re-aligned by your provider if we had to remove them.
- Punch lists are common—small items we’ll address at the very end.
- Final walkthrough & inspection will be scheduled with your Project Manager. Let us know if you’d like to be present!
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My siding looks a little wavy—is that normal?
Yes. Slight waviness is often due to natural variations in wall framing and is common, even in newer homes.
Q: Why are there gaps between siding boards or trim?
Gaps are intentional and required for proper water drainage and siding performance.
Q: Why aren’t the siding joints caulked?
We use flashing behind all HardieLap butt joints—per manufacturer instructions. Caulking is not recommended for these areas.
Q: I noticed some areas of my wall don’t have plywood. Should I be concerned?
No. Many gables and garages are constructed without sheathing. Once we install HardieWrap, your siding can be safely installed over open framing.
Q: My window screen was torn during installation—what do I do?
Give us a call! We’ll take care of the repair.
💰 Payment Schedule
Your contract outlines the payment schedule, so refer to that for your exact payment milestones. In most cases:
- Down payment at contract signing
- Payment upon substantial delivery of materials
- Payment after substantial completion of siding
- Final payment after substantial completion of painting
Payments can be mailed to:
Pacific Exteriors LLC, 14724 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
Or handed directly to your Project Manager.
💬 Other Questions?
We’re here for you. If you have questions at any point—before, during, or after construction—just reach out to your Project Manager. Communication is key to a smooth and successful experience.
We can’t wait to bring your home improvement vision to life!
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