1. Home Preparations: Trimming shrubs and trees are a great first step in preparation for the arrival of contractors. Cutting the grass is also advisable before the installation begins. The reason to mow the lawn is to make it easier for the contractors to find nails or staples that may go astray during the work process. Also be sure to remove other exterior items such as potted plants, lawn equipment, hose holders, or garden furniture. Clearing the driveway to provide the contractors better access to the exterior of the home is another preparation step. Moving your vehicles away will prevent damage to them from potential flying debris. It can also be a good idea to remove shelving and items on shelves located on external walls inside your home to prevent any damage, as the walls themselves may shake during the siding replacement installation.
2. Old Siding Removal: The old siding must be removed prior to installing the new siding. The exterior walls must be stable and in good condition to assure proper installation of the new siding. As the contractor inspects the home, some signs of rot, pests, or damage may be identified. These may lead to additional costs for removal and repair of those items. As such, it may be in your best interest to clear those potential items prior to the start of your siding project, or you may choose to include that expense in the cost of your siding project. It is also possible that the sheathing underneath the old siding has deteriorated and could be damaged to the point it is unusable. If this is the case, it will need to be replaced prior to new siding installation. If you are unsure as to what damaged sheathing may look like, ask the contractor to show you the actual damage and explain why it needs to be replaced. The contractor can easily show good versus bad sheathing to help you make the comparison for yourself.
3. Insulation Installation: As the old siding is removed, so will the old installation be removed as well. You can be sure that your contractor will make certain to properly insulate your home by adding new insulation that is appropriate for your new siding install.
4. New Siding Installation: Once all the old siding removal and preparation work are completed, your new siding will be properly installed to safeguard your home from the elements once again. If painting is required, this will extend the project completion time. To add, Hardie Board installation does require some extra work as the materials are more solid requiring tools that can cut and nail through these boards. This may be something to consider during the selection process since different tools than those used with vinyl or wood siding will be used by the contractor.
5. Final Touches and Cleanup: Any cutting of materials can create a lot of dust and debris around the worksite at your home. Post-work cleanup is extremely important to remove any lingering waste products. The old materials and detritus will be hauled away by the contractor. A final washing might be a final step to remove any remaining dust and grit.

At this point your home siding installation project should be complete providing you and your family with the upgraded elevation of your house that you will be delighted to come home to every day knowing that your home is protected from the elements for years to come!