How long does a full siding installation take on a typical Surrey home?

Most full siding replacements take one to two weeks, depending on your home's size and what we find under the old siding. Homes in older Cloverdale or Whalley neighborhoods sometimes take longer if there's hidden rot in the sheathing that needs repair first. Rain can also push the timeline back since we won't install over wet framing. We walk you through the schedule during the first visit so you know what to expect before any panels come off the wall.

What happens when you come out to look at my siding?

We walk the house with you first, checking the sheathing under your existing siding for soft spots, especially near the bottom few feet where Surrey's wet winters cause the most damage. We'll press on suspicious areas, look at trim and corners, and talk through whether you're looking at a repair, a refinish, or a full replacement. You'll get a clear picture of what's underneath before we ever quote you on materials like vinyl, James Hardie, or cedar.

Do I need to replace all my siding, or can just one section be fixed?

It depends on what's happening underneath, not just what you see on the surface. If rot is limited to one or two boards near a downspout or corner, a repair usually holds fine. But if moisture has spread behind multiple boards, especially in older Whalley or Cloverdale homes with original siding, patching just delays a bigger problem. We check for soft spots, bubbling paint, and musty smells near exterior walls before recommending either option.

Why do Surrey homes need a rainscreen behind the siding?

A rainscreen gives water a place to drain instead of soaking into your wall, and that matters a lot with Surrey's months of steady coastal rain. It's a small air gap, usually built with vertical strapping, between the siding and the sheathing. Older homes in Cloverdale and South Surrey were often built without this gap, which is why we see so much hidden rot once we pull the old siding off. Every install we do includes it, regardless of the cladding material.

How can I tell if my siding has water damage I can't see?

Press on the siding near the bottom edges and around windows. Soft or spongy spots usually mean water has already gotten behind the boards. Watch for dark streaking below seams, bubbling paint, or a musty smell inside near exterior walls too. Cedar siding on older Cloverdale homes tends to hide rot at nail holes and seams, while vinyl usually shows warping or rattling panels instead. If you notice two or more of these signs, it's worth getting a real look underneath.

Siding Installation for New Homes and Additions in Surrey

Siding installation in Surrey built for coastal rain, not just curb appeal. Mi Casa Exteriors brings skilled crews to your property.

Siding installation starts with a bare wall. There’s no old cladding to tear off and nothing rotten to dig out. That makes it a different job from siding replacement, where the old siding comes off first, and from siding repair, which fixes one damaged area.

Mi Casa Exteriors installs siding on new homes, additions and other walls that have never been clad. Our in-house crews work across Surrey, White Rock, South Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

The Jobs We Install Siding On

Clayton and Grandview Heights, with their newer subdivisions, are where we do most of this work. But the same jobs show up on older lots too.

New homes. The walls are framed and sheathed, and the siding is one of the last big exterior steps.
Room additions. A new bedroom, a bump-out or a second storey needs siding that sits right beside the old wall.
Detached garages and outbuildings. Shops and garages take the same rain as the house, so the wall behind the siding still has to shed water.
Walls that never had siding. A wall that's been left bare or finished some other way can be clad from scratch.

Permits and Building Schemes in Surrey

The City of Surrey says a residential building permit is usually needed for building a house, an addition, a detached garage or an accessory building. Some small sheds are exempt. Siding on any of these is part of that permitted work.

Some Surrey subdivisions also have a building scheme registered on title. It’s a set of design rules for the homes in that subdivision, prepared by a design consultant. When a lot has one, Surrey’s permit application asks for a building scheme design approval.

So find out whether your lot has one before you settle on the look. It’s much easier to plan within the rules than to change course after the boards arrive.

What Goes Behind New Siding

The siding you see is only the outer layer. Since December 15, 2006, the BC Building Code has required a drainage gap behind the cladding on new homes in coastal areas like ours.

Our pages on rain screen siding systems and waterproofing and moisture protection explain the layers behind the boards, from house wrap to flashing.

What to Have Ready for Your Quote

A new build or addition is easier to price when we can see what’s planned. Have these handy:

Elevation drawings. The city's permit checklist for a new single-family home asks for them. They show every outside wall, window and roofline.
Your building scheme, if there is one. It can affect the look you're allowed to choose.
Where the permit stands. Applied for, issued or not needed yet.
Your material shortlist. Even a rough idea helps.
Your timeline. Mostly, when the roof and windows will be done.

Timing the Siding on a New Build or Addition

Siding comes late in the build. The roof should be on and the windows in before it starts. Otherwise water can run down behind work that’s already finished.

Material storage matters on a busy site too. James Hardie’s installation instructions say fibre cement boards should be stored flat, dry and covered. Boards that go up wet can shrink at the joints as they dry.

If you’re adding siding work to a bigger renovation, our exterior renovations page shows how trim, fascia, soffit and windows fit around it.

Siding Materials We Install

Every material sits on the same kind of wall behind it. What changes is the look, the upkeep and the budget.

You can compare them side by side on our siding materials page.

How We Work

Our own crews install every job. We don’t use subcontractors. Mi Casa Exteriors holds WorkSafeBC clearance C136733062, carries $2,000,000 in liability insurance and is BBB accredited.

There’s no deposit. You don’t pay until the work is done and you’re happy with it. Every installation carries a 25-year workmanship warranty, signed by the company and the installer. We take cash, cheque and e-transfer.

Book a Siding Installation Quote

Building new or adding on? Call Mi Casa Exteriors at 604-603-0257 or email info@micasaexteriors.ca. We’ll look at your plans or your walls and give you a written quote, with no deposit.

Ready to Get Started?

No matter the size of your project, we’re committed to helping you create an exterior that’s built to last. Contact our team today to discuss your project and discover the right solution for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can new siding on an addition match the rest of the house?

Often, if your current siding and colour are still made. Bring the product name or a spare piece to the quote. If the old siding is no longer made, an exact match may not be possible. Then you can pick a contrasting siding for the addition, or re-side the old walls at the same time so everything matches.

Do I need a permit for an addition in Surrey?

Usually, yes. The City of Surrey says a residential building permit is usually needed for an addition, a new house or a detached garage. The siding is part of that permitted work.

Do you install siding on detached garages and shops?

Yes. Garages, shops and other outbuildings are part of our installation work.

Does new siding need a rain screen?

On new homes in coastal BC, yes. The BC Building Code has required a drainage gap behind the cladding since December 15, 2006. Accessory buildings, like a detached garage, are an exception.

What's a building scheme?

It’s a set of design rules registered on title for homes in some Surrey subdivisions. If your lot has one, your permit application needs a building scheme design approval.