Hey guys, I've been installing FC for quite a few years and have gotten pretty good with it. I have a job coming up that the builder wants to use Smartside. I have never hung this product, but do not see it being an issue. My issue is that everyone keeps saying that it is less expensive to install than FC. I know you can cut it with a regular wood blade and that they are 16' lengths, but install procedures would be same as FC,right? Am I missing something or is it that much easier?
fiber cement vs Smartside
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I've used it and probably wouldn't any more in most cases except well protected scenarios. It's easier because there are fewer cuts, no toxic dust, it's way lighter and stronger so 16' boards are easier to handle than FC 12'.
Make sure the painter knows to really paint the bottom edge well.
Make sure the painter knows to really paint the bottom edge well.
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Back prime your cuts
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528 Posts
I've found it's the same. Sure it's lighter but a well trained crew is used to handling the heavier cement siding anyway so it's not so much a labor savings.
Now if you charge by what's easier than sure it's cheaper but if charge by time consumed on job it's about the same. Just what I've found.
Now if you charge by what's easier than sure it's cheaper but if charge by time consumed on job it's about the same. Just what I've found.
This is the problem I'm seeing. In order to do it cheaper, it would have to be done quicker. If install is pretty much identical then I don't see where I
could make up any time.
Thanks for the replies guys.
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Not sure I'd charge less to install a inferior product. Much higher warranty liability for smartside which would vastly out weigh any installation savings in my opinion.
Guess time will tell which one is more inferior. :laughing: Personally don't think much of either one. :no:
Trust me, I don't want to charge less. Around this area if you do not adjust your pricing to suit builders, your out. They will find someone who is willing to work for their price just to work. I had to drop my install price for FC 25% for one builder. Thats alot of $ when you do 500-600 square a year for them.
When it comes to product warranty, most builders do care. But there are some that bottom $ is all they see.
One builder wanted me to put rain screen behind FC but didn't like the extra cost. Why do you say to install behind Smartside? I install rain screen behind cedar, but I wouldn't think with Smartside it would be needed. Is it really that bad of a product?
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In the grand scheme of things unless you're a penny pinching builder I can't see any reason not to install some sort of screen behind all siding..
I only install steel siding :thumbsup: It is what is on my own. I know it is not for every part of the country , but here it works and holds up very well.
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I would agree, on charging for this job by the labor because it will take just as long my the cuts and installing.
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