Bump - anyone?

I can understand that professionals would not install over the damaged wall. Seems like the studs could be water damaged also. One of the smarts ones will come by eventually. I hope you find a solution under 9,000$

There is no product that will install over concrete foundation that will support siding. Normally there is sheathing (plywood or OSB) behind the siding, allowing a place to attach. You cant attach sheathing to the concrete without expecting mold and damage there. This is why you are having trouble getting quotes because you are expecting them to do a job that will fail. You should have them restucco it or you could look at putting faux stone panels (aka stone veneer) there. I guess if you can find a contractor that will do it, they could use pressure treated plywood rated for ground contact and do vinyl or hardie siding to the ground, but you risk termites and water damage as the treatment wears off, that is why I recommended the better options above.

Thanks, Vith. For some reason, the contractors were unable to articulate the reason as you have above. Unfortunately, part of the front of my home is brick so the stone veneer wouldn't look the best with brick and I suspect doing bring would be more costly than stucco. Back to the drawing board!

Extremeski2001

Have you considered doing your own demo? I have a brick wall that has to come down due to damage. After receiving a quote of 300 dollars just to remove the brick, I decided to demo it myself. I have done about a third of it. It is very messy work. Like you, I will need to have another product to replace where the dry rot has destroyed the wood behind my bricks. I expect it to be costly and I need to save money whenever possible. If I lived in your area I would volunteer to help you. It isn't all that hard, it is just tedious. I am female and 54 years old.