Think I know the answer, but...

[willet]

I needed some minor repairs done to the exterior of my house - basically squirrels had chewed their way through some wood and liked living in my gutters.

A friend recommended someone to do the work of replacing the wood, and we gave this person some cash to go buy the needed materials. Our friend (who does this type of work as well) told him that buying Southern Pine and priming it would be a good choice for this job.

We assumed that's what was purchased, but after the first day of work was done on the house, we noticed from the reciept that the wood purchased was Kiln-Dried Radiata Pine Softwood Board.

The other wood purchased was interior base moulding. Based on a little research, I'm finding that neither of these woods are treated or seem to be adequete for exterior use.

Digging a little further, we discovered from the reciept that the paint purchased was actually interior paint. Apparantly, he didn't use primer at all and only paint (and interior paint!)

In telling him that we don't want him back and don't want to even pay him for the day of work, he's insisting that the wood he used is used all the time, and that the wrong paint was provided to him, etc. etc,

There's obviously enough here for me to not use this guy again, but was wondering exactly how bad is having this particular wood, not treated, not primed, and painted with interior paint exposed to the elements for a while. Do I need to get on this right away and have the wood replaced? I feel kind of stupid for even asking, but I'm trying to give some benefit of the doubt here.

Thanks.

[kip26744]

Hello my name is don I am a retired contract carpenter and will give you my advise
You will need a presure treated wood product or a exterior finish product.
To stop animals from entering your home put a peice of screen over the hole first then cover or finish with wood or sideing. depending were and if the repair is seen easy.So if it is open to the weather you should paint it with a good oil base paint. that will mach your house.I hope that this info was help full. Ask me anything you want and I will help you as much as i can