I replace roof, siding got damaged.....need suggestions

I did a roof for a customer that had 3 layers on it. We streaked up some of the siding when the shingles were falling off the roof. The crew cleaned the siding and removed all the tar marks. Problem is that the vinyl siding is almost 40 years old (some of the first installed in the city). When we cleaned the siding, you can still see the streaking where the cleaner cleaned the oxidated siding too much. I have tried to brush the entire house, and it makes it a little better, but not much. The homeowner wants me to pay to reside the entire house. I feel like i am responsible for the situation, but there are only two sides damaged and we can't match the outdated siding. I'm not sure if I should pay to side the entire house when the rest of the siding is in bad shape and past its usuable life. If the siding were decent, our cleaning would have worked and the situation resolved.

Any thoughts?

As others mentioned used it as a learning curve.. We place plywood along the house where debris is being thrown into dumpster. Most of the time when customer is this demanding they are looking for one thing.. A Discount on the bill!! Its frustrating and one of my biggest dislikes of the business..

You can't paint plastic siding. Seen houses that it was done to and it will basically melt off the house!

If your state matches for insurance purposes you may be held liable to match. If your state is not one of the very few states that matches you more than likely would only have to replace the damaged panels or worse case scenerio the walls with damage.

Next time have your roofing crew drape tarps along the siding, that's what we do.

Like others said, offer to knock off some roofing money or if they've paid already give them money back. This option could save you time and money...

Good Luck!!!

i suggest if you do not want to submit a claim with your insurance that you offer your customer a "rebate" to keep them happy. It might take some convincing but in the end you will save on material and labor because even if you only replace a few siding sheets, assuming that you can find something that semi matches the existing color, which will be a pain in the ass just to match an older siding as it is, you will need to still take the existing siding off and start from the bottom , hence the labor costs. My suggestion is offer them that "rebate" to keep them semi happy maybe just a few hundred ,its a loss but better than waisting more money replacing it, still having a headache and at the end they complain about something even after you replace the whole thing. Its as if you have a fender bender on a car, and need to only replace the fender but they want you to do the fender and the two side doors for an vehicle that you cant even find parts for..i don't know if that would help but its an idea.

Lanier, You should go and sign in on the post to tell us where you are from for one thing. Welcome.

As to what to do to the house, I have no idea. What does your contract say about it? It is an awful lot like what the insurance people run into everyday; an old house with a worn out roof and they have to pay to get it replaced.

Have you contacted your insurance company and asked them to talk to the homeowner yet? That would be the first thing I would do. That is what you have insurance for. Maybe they can swing a deal for you. Ask! Good luck

I would be looking for a coating to paint over the old siding, the customer might need a little convincing but if they are any way reasonable they will see the extra value they are getting.

What is their alternative? Even if they decide to sue for new siding you have the age of the existing siding to use as a defense as to the value and likely remaining life expectancy.

If you do find a good coating / paint present the spec sheets for their approval and have them sign off on the proposal before you spend.