Brand new build

What does your builder say?

He says it meets minimum standards.

"He says it meets minimum standards."

What exactly are minimum standards? Mine would be that at a minimum it looked presentable and was installed per the manufacturers instructions.

siding has lots of warping/cracks

It looks like you are showing a single location, and that board was probably damaged prior to install. Hardie is very susceptible to damage if not handled carefully.

What do some of the other problem spots look like?

And it helps to have a image from further back too -- helps with context.

Find out if it is your builder's 'minimum standards' or the manufacturer's 'minimum standards'. Then contact the manufacturer for documentations on their 'minimum standards'.

It’s more than one spot it’s all over with cracking and nails visible.

@Anne Williams,

Are you sure this is Hardie Siding manufactured by James Hardie? It looks like hardboard siding which is a different material.

Yes it is hardie siding we have hardie installation letter

Have you contacted James Hardie with your concerns?

The butt joint is too tight -- there should be a small gap. Face nails are discouraged, but often needed at joints and other spots where the framing is not perfect to hold the siding flat against the house. Nail holes should be primed, caulked and painted, and be not so visible.

Unfortunately, what you show is common.

I have not seen square edged Hardie in years. Everything I get has a rounded edge, but all I use is the wood grain, not the smooth. This is the bottom of a cutoff showing the rounded profile.

Get the Hardie rep out to inspect the installation he will tell you immediately what is wrong with it and why it goes against installation instructions and why you will have no warranty. Then you can present that to your installer.