Whole-home remodels
Renovations that change more than one room: layout, structure, mechanical systems and finishes, planned and sequenced as a single project.
Residential
Exterior envelope work in Kitsap County
Siding, windows, doors, insulation, gutters and exterior paint, planned together around how water sheds and where it gets in.
Who this is for
This service is for owners of houses where the outside is failing or inefficient: siding that is rotting or covered in moss, windows that fog or leak, rooms that are drafty or hard to heat, gutters that overflow, or exterior paint that has run its course. The envelope is what keeps the weather out, so the work is mostly about water: how it is shed, where it gets in, and how the wall dries.
What's included
- An exterior inspection: siding condition, window and door flashing, trim, gutters and the roof edge
- Tear-off and repair of damaged sheathing and framing found behind old siding
- New siding (vinyl, fiber cement or cedar), housewrap or weather barrier, flashing and trim
- Window and door replacement, as inserts or full-frame, with proper flashing and sealing
- Insulation and air sealing in attics and crawlspaces
- Gutters, downspouts and drainage away from the foundation
- Exterior painting with the prep the surface needs
- Garage door replacement and entry doors
How the work runs
Step 1: Inspection
We look at the siding, window and door flashing, trim, gutters and how the roof edge sheds water.
Step 2: Scope and order
Windows, siding, insulation and gutters affect each other, so we settle the order before pricing.
Step 3: Tear-off and repair
Old material comes off, and any damaged sheathing or framing is repaired before new work covers it.
Step 4: Weather barrier and install
Housewrap, flashing, windows, siding and trim go on in the order that sheds water.
Step 5: Gutters, paint and cleanup
Drainage, painting and a walkthrough with a list of anything to adjust.
On the Kitsap Peninsula
On the peninsula the exterior takes steady rain and moss and, on the water, wind and salt air. Walls facing the weather age faster, and north walls stay damp and grow moss. A wall that has been wet for years often hides damage that only shows when the siding comes off, so we price tear-off as its own line and set aside a contingency for rot.
Flashing at windows, doors and where a roof meets a wall is where most leaks start, and it is why window replacement and siding are best planned together. Insulation and air sealing help most in attics and crawlspaces, and the Washington State Energy Code sets requirements that can apply when an exterior wall is opened or windows are replaced.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on trim and siding, which changes how scraping and sanding are done. Whether a permit is needed depends on the scope and on the authority, and we confirm before starting. For a deck, fence or porch, see decks and outdoor.
Permit guides
The office that issues the permit depends on the parcel. Start with the authority that covers yours.
What it costs
The Estimate Desk gives planning bands for seven kinds of envelope work: siding (vinyl, fiber cement or cedar, with tear-off as its own line), windows (insert price first, with full-frame as an adder), exterior painting (by wall area, prep level and stories), insulation (attic with an optional crawlspace, and air sealing as a separate choice), gutters, doors, and garage doors. Each is a planning band, not a bid.
What moves the price: wall area and stories, the material, how many openings there are, what is found behind old siding, and the prep that paint needs. For painting, the band is priced by wall area, prep level and stories. Lead-safe containment on a pre-1978 house is not in this rate.
Price it first
The Estimate Desk gives a planning band, not a bid. A site visit sets the number.
Questions about this work
Should I replace siding and windows at the same time?
Often, yes. Window flashing is part of the wall's water management, and doing windows and siding together lets the weather barrier and flashing be built as one system. If only one is due, we can plan for the other so the work does not have to be redone.
How do I know if my windows need replacing?
Fogging between the panes, soft or rotted frames, water at the sills and drafts you can feel are the usual signs. Sometimes repair or new flashing is enough. We look at the windows and the wall around them before recommending replacement.
What is the difference between insert and full-frame windows?
An insert replacement goes inside the existing frame and costs less. A full-frame replacement removes the old window to the rough opening, which lets us repair flashing and rot around it. Which fits depends on the condition of the frame and the wall.
Will more insulation fix a cold room?
Sometimes. Cold rooms are often caused by missing attic insulation, air leaks, or an uninsulated floor over a crawlspace. We look at what is above, below and around the room. Air sealing often matters as much as insulation.
Which siding holds up in a wet climate?
Vinyl, fiber cement and cedar can all do well here. What matters most is the weather barrier, flashing and clearances behind and below the siding. We discuss maintenance, appearance and cost for each, and price the ones you are considering.
Do you replace garage doors?
Yes. Garage door replacement is part of this service, including openers if you want them. Building a new garage is separate; see garages and shops.
What time of year is best for exterior work?
Exterior painting needs dry weather and moderate temperatures, so it is scheduled around the drier months. Siding and window work can be done in other seasons with the wall protected, but we plan so the wall is never open during a heavy rain.
Talk with us about exterior envelope
Call Ian Laughlin at (206) 226-1988, or send the details and we will set up a site visit.