Siding is the biggest curb appeal investment a homeowner makes — and they're comparing materials, warranties, and contractors side by side. A proposal with material specs, energy performance, and a clear warranty comparison closes the deal.
Total square footage of exterior walls, stories, current siding material and condition. Full replacement vs partial (which walls). Note architectural features: dormers, gables, bay windows, soffits, fascia. These add complexity and cost — call them out early so the price makes sense.
Siding type: vinyl (thickness in mils — .042" vs .046"), fiber cement (HardiePlank, LP SmartSide), engineered wood, aluminum, or cedar. Profile: lap/clapboard, board and batten, shake, Dutch lap. Color and texture. Insulated vs non-insulated. Brand and product line. For fiber cement: primed vs pre-finished (ColorPlus).
House wrap brand and type (Tyvek HomeWrap, ZIP System, etc.). Rigid foam insulation board (R-value, thickness). This is the layer that actually stops water and air — it matters more than the siding itself. Detail how it's installed: overlapping, taped seams, integration with window and door flashing.
J-channel, F-channel, starter strip, undersill trim. Corner posts (inside and outside). Window and door trim: aluminum capping (coil stock) or PVC trim boards. Soffit: vented (for attic ventilation) or solid. Fascia: aluminum-wrapped or PVC. Color matching. These details separate a clean install from a sloppy one.
Line items: siding material (per sq ft), house wrap (per sq ft), insulation board (per sq ft), installation labor (per sq ft), trim (per linear ft or lump sum), soffit and fascia (per linear ft), old siding removal (per sq ft), window/door trim (per opening). Show total. Siding is priced per square (100 sq ft) in the trade, but present per sq ft for homeowner clarity.
Material warranty varies dramatically: vinyl (lifetime limited, non-prorated vs prorated), fiber cement (30 years, 15 years on finish), engineered wood (varies). Present a simple comparison table if quoting options. Your labor warranty: 5-10 years workmanship. Transferability matters for resale. This is often the deciding factor between two similar bids.