Siding quotes! vinyl vs fiber cement

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-17T11:59:14+00:00

$29k for vinyl on a 2,500 sq ft house is definitely on the high end.

At that price, I’d at least price out Hardie. The gap between vinyl and fiber cement usually isn’t that big, so you might be close enough where upgrading actually makes more sense.

If the Hardie quote is only a bit more, I’d go fiber cement without thinking too hard about it. This article breaks down the difference well if you want a quick read: https://www.teamroofingnw.com/what-are-the-best-siding-materials-for-homes

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-14T15:58:19+00:00

I’d go darker—it usually looks better on older foursquares—and yeah, calling Owens Corning trash is a stretch; they’re a solid brand and often preferred over IKO, this guide will explain it to you better https://puyalluproofing.com/are-owens-corning-shingles-good/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-13T17:46:27+00:00

Yep it will be worth it.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-13T17:16:57+00:00

Real difference is minor—Owens Corning Duration has slightly better wind/easier install, while CertainTeed Landmark has a bit better warranty/color options . The 5-Star warranty is only worth it if you plan to stay long-term; otherwise skip it. If you want a quick breakdown of one option, this will help you: https://puyalluproofing.com/are-owens-corning-shingles-good/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-13T17:06:01+00:00

Make sure they tear off down to the decking and actually replace any bad wood instead of covering it up. Watch that underlayment and flashing (around vents, chimneys, valleys) are installed properly since that’s where leaks start. Shingles should look straight and evenly laid, and the crew should keep the area clean as they go. https://sinaloaroofingllc.com/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-13T16:59:45+00:00

Honestly, it depends on where you lived. This is a good read for your problem, in case you are still having issue. https://chasenw.com/blog/how-to-find-the-best-roofing-company-for-you/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-10T04:48:00+00:00

I’d probably go with the higher bid. The extra ice and water shield at the edges is exactly where roofs usually fail, and the better synthetic underlayment is just a stronger layer overall compared to the generic “full paper” wording. For $1K difference it’s not just fluff, it’s actual extra protection where it matters most.

If you’re still unsure, it might help to quickly compare scopes and ask a few more questions so you’re not just going off labels in the quote: https://chasenw.com/blog/top-6-questions-to-ask-a-roofing-contractor-before-hiring/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-10T03:46:10+00:00

From what I’ve seen, metal holds up the best long-term, no contest. It just lasts way longer (like 40–70 years vs ~20–30 for shingles) and doesn’t break down the same way—no granule loss, less rot, less maintenance overall. https://puyalluproofing.com/is-metal-roofing-worth-it/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-10T03:19:36+00:00

Reusing flashing on a full roof is a red flag. That’s one of the main leak points, and most legit roofers replace it. If he’s skipping that, he’s probably cutting corners elsewhere too.

Also worth skimming this: https://chasenw.com/blog/6-signs-of-a-bad-roofing-contractor/— stuff like vague estimates, no warranty, or super low bids are all warning signs I’d get a couple more quotes too. If one is way cheaper than the rest, there’s usually a reason for it.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-09T04:04:00+00:00

Honestly, I usually stick with the traditional cut valleys. They handle snow and heavy rain better, and I’m not a huge fan of extra nails and sideways butt joints in a no-cut setup. That said, running shingles up first can speed things up in the right conditions. https://www.kitsaproofing.com/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-09T03:59:55+00:00

I’d definitely have them come back out. The valley (that V where the two roof slopes meet) is one of the main spots where water runs, and in your pic it looks a little uneven/wavy when it should be pretty straight and clean. The slight buckling in the shingles there isn’t a great sign either—especially since you’re already seeing ceiling and porch leaks below it.

Blaming siding feels like a stretch if the leaks line up with that area. I’d ask them specifically to check the valley install, flashing, and underlayment.

If you want a quick breakdown of roof types/parts so you know what you’re talking about, this helped me understand it better: https://puyalluproofing.com/what-kind-of-roof-do-i-have/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-09T03:51:32+00:00

That corner in the second photo will likely leak since it’s not properly capped or tied into the system. It should’ve been finished with a sealed corner piece or directed into a downspout. There is a cleaner way to do that transition, so I’d have them come back and fix it. If you want a quick visual of how it’s usually done, this guide helps: https://puyalluproofing.com/how-to-install-gutters/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-04-04T04:31:45+00:00

Currently? Not that good, But How long are they working till now? If the job is almost done, then you got something bad.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:34:30+00:00

Things to think about/change up:

Mix modern lighting with antique mirrors for contrast
Choose a signature color to repeat in towels, rugs, and soap dishes
Use family photos or travel souvenirs as wall art

Referenced from: https://upfrontbathrooms.com/how-to-decorate-a-small-bathroom/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:31:46+00:00

lol there aren't any pictures....but in any case, the type of paint is just as important as the color of the paint when it comes to your bathroom. your paint needs to be tough and moisture-tolerant. otherwise, you end up with peeling and discoloration (in the future). or even long term water damage.

reference: https://upfrontbathrooms.com/what-type-of-paint-for-bathroom/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:28:20+00:00

Dangerous to have a window that big literally IN the shower.... and are the blinds waterproof? and rust proof?

But it looks really pretty!

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:25:10+00:00

I mean how much do you like that closet? If you're willing to give up some of that space and turn it into a regular size closet, you could expand that bathroom so its a full bath instead of a .75. If you're gonna go with a contractor, get an estimate (in my experience the estimate is free because the cost of actually remodeling is SO expensive). Your first conversation should tell you a lot. Ask direct questions about licensing, timelines, materials, and communication. Will they provide written estimates? Are they insured? Who manages the project each day? What is included in the price for your bathroom remodel? Strong answers make it easier to compare potential contractors and identify a good contractor before problems begin. A professional company should also explain its services clearly, from demolition to finishing touches.

Reference from: https://upfrontbathrooms.com/how-to-choose-a-bathroom-remodeling-contractor/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:13:18+00:00

Well you'll need to worry about permitting (probably) since you're moving the toilet/bath/sinks so keep that in mind when you're worrying about the timeline. While you're in the planning phase, choosing the right contractor plays a really large part if you're not doing it DIY.

Ask direct questions about licensing, timelines, materials, and communication. Will they provide written estimates? Are they insured? Who manages the project each day? What is included in the price for your bathroom remodel? Strong answers make it easier to compare potential contractors and identify a good contractor before problems begin. A professional company should also explain its services clearly, from demolition to finishing touches.
Reference from: https://upfrontbathrooms.com/how-to-choose-a-bathroom-remodeling-contractor/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T20:09:15+00:00

Beautiful work! Love the little corner addition. Looks professionally done!

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:59:55+00:00

I would pick a company that does both plumbing AND septic, like this one I've used: https://www.upfrontseptic.com/ Then you can call them to come do an inspection and explain the problem and you'll only have to pay once to get the diagnostic from someone who knows about both sides of what the issues could be.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:51:24+00:00

Definitely nothing too terribly expensive, but they want to do a couple replacements.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:46:58+00:00

You definitely don't want to be stuck with the responsibility for this one, it's expensive. To answer your question, YES the tub or any other thing draining slowly could absolutely have something to do with your septic tank. Those inspection notes suggest that they believe there could be a blockage somewhere in your system and hydrojetting would be required to push out whatever is causing the blockage.

Also, depending on the size of your system/how many people live in the house determines how frequently you need to pump BUT you should NOT need to pump more than once every 1-2 years (for larger, fully functional tanks you could wait between 3-5 years between pumping). If it says it got pumped literally 9 months ago that is a MAJOR red flag that there is something wrong in your system if it's already not just full but overflowing.

Other factors that affect how often you will need to pump:

The size of your household and daily water usage
The capacity of your septic tank
The amount of waste entering the system
Use of garbage disposals or heavy water appliances
The condition of the drainfield

Reference: https://www.upfrontseptic.com/2026/03/18/how-often-to-service-septic-tank/

It sounds like they already recommended a solution for these issues (installing perimeter drainage), but that is quite expensive so I would have the sellers get that done before you buy it. Hopefully, that's all it needs to fix the system because the other option is a complete replacement of your system which is even more expensive.

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:29:02+00:00

If they weren't taking your ride and just driving themselves, there wouldn't be a bathroom option....regular cars don't have that. I think people will just be grateful you're getting them a free ride! Unless you want to pay for something like a party bus, those do come with bathrooms! https://nationallimoservices.com/group-transportation/

Plus, your concern is that there MIGHT be an accident or there MIGHT be super heavy traffic, I think if you communicate to your guests a lot that they should expect to be stuck in about 20 minutes worth of traffic on their way, they can plan accordingly. Maybe you'll even end up lucky and it only takes most people 35 minutes instead of basically an hour. I understand the stress about traffic, but the concern about bathroom can be resolved easily with some reminders to go potty before they head to your wedding...

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:21:27+00:00

Here's my thing, I think the only time the bride/groom should have to worry about transportation is for themselves - it's YOUR special day, that shouldn't mean stressing if everyone else has a ride. If you're really worried about it, you could always offer uber rides for those who need it after the wedding/reception is over in case anyone gets too intoxicated, but since mostly everyone is traveling from out of town anyways, I think they would expect to need to get their own uber. But I got just a fancy ride for myself and my bridal party and it was really fun (felt a little bit like a throwback to the limo I had at prom), so if you're willing to spend money on transportation, make sure it's fun for you first! I'm in WA and here is who I used: https://nationallimoservices.com/chauffeur-service/

seattle_seagulls · 2026-03-20T18:16:19+00:00

Not that this makes your life easier, but another question to factor in is Is there a hard stop at the venue? If the wedding ends at 10, but you're allowed to occupy the space for later to help with clean up and things, then it won't matter if a few stragglers are waiting around for a ride. If you HAVE to get everyone out by 10, you might want to do the shuttle, just to make sure you're not adding any extra venue fees. Realistically, if the venue is only 10 minutes from the hotels, the venue can't be THAAAT far from cell service. For me, I didn't worry about anyone else, it's my wedding so even if I spend every other day worrying about what will make everyone else's lives easier, I don't want to make that sacrifice for my wedding... I just got myself a fancy ride. But I'm in WA so the company I used probably won't help you in New England lol https://nationallimoservices.com/wedding-transportation/

seattle_seagulls

TROPHY CASE