Your Portland siding is second only to your roof in keeping the constant Oregon rain out of your home, not to mention that it adds to your house's curb appeal. However, it may need replacing, whether due to a severe storm or the ravages of time.

At such a time, DIY enthusiast homeowners may wonder whether to tackle the installation themselves or hire a siding contractor in Portland to carry out the replacement. Weighing up the pros and cons of each approach can be difficult without all the necessary information.

Let's look at six key areas where DIY or pro siding replacement differ the most.

1. Control

When doing the job yourself, you can do it when it suits you, which can save you time and hassle. On the other hand, that also means finding your own materials and managing your own installation schedule, which can quickly become overwhelming.

2. Expertise

If you do not replace siding for a living, you are unlikely to have the appropriate tools, let alone experience using them correctly.

James Hardie fiber cement offers superior longevity and protection for your house. However, installation techniques for this material are specialized, and DIY installation may result in cracked boards.

3. Protection

Lack of experience can also result in you making mistakes during the installation of vinyl Portland siding that can have repercussions for its longevity, appearance, and performance.

Improperly-installed siding means that your home will be vulnerable to water penetrating, leading to rot. Experienced siding contractors in Portland can replace siding so that it protects your home optimally.

4. Safety

Portland siding contractors are experienced at working on ladders and scaffolding and have the necessary personal protective equipment to replace siding safely.

Any large-scale job will require many hands, which means hiring helpers or having buddies do you a favor. Instead of having experienced and insured professionals doing the job, you have a bunch of inexperienced people doing dangerous work – a recipe for disaster.

5. Warranties

In many cases, manufacturers will only honor warranties on materials if installed by a siding contractor in Portland, as many require specialist techniques unique to that manufacturer, which are only known by contractors they have trained.

Hiring bonded and insured Portland siding contractors also means that you are covered if there is any problem with the workmanship.

6. Cost

On the face of it, DIY installation is considerably cheaper than having Portland siding contractors do the job. You need only pay the material cost. However, you may get a better price on Portland siding from contractors who can access bulk discounts.

Going the pro route means adding labor costs, warranties on service, insurance costs, and the contractor's profit margin, resulting in a higher price.

However, considering what can go wrong with a DIY installation, from damage to property to a grievous accident, you’ll likely end up saving money by hiring pros.

DIY vs. Pro Siding Installation: The Bottom Line

Hiring Portland siding contractors is almost always better than attempting to replace it yourself. In addition to the points made above, you’ll benefit from the peace of mind of knowing your extensive renovation project is in expert hands.