If you live in one of the 79.36 million occupied homes across the US, keeping the building in great shape is likely one of your highest priorities. After all, it’s important to keep your exterior looking great while boosting overall property value.
This means that replacing your siding every 10-20 years is a necessary part of your house’s upkeep. If it’s time to perform these renovations, finding a siding contractor that fits your needs is key.
But what questions do you need to as before hiring a contractor? Read on to learn how you can find the best siding professionals to take care of your remodeling.
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
You may be initially embarrassed to ask anyone about their years of experience, but it’s critical to do so before hiring a siding professional. Those with more experience tend to have made their mistakes in the past and have already learned from them. This means that they won’t mess up when working with you and will instead be able to apply expert knowledge to your project.
They also will likely have accumulated more expert-level tools since they have been in business longer. This means that they’ll be able to complete your project as quickly and efficiently as possible. Don’t hire a contractor with fewer than 20 years of experience- this will avoid problems in the future.
2. What Will I Be Paying?
Price comparison is one of the most important considerations when choosing a contractor. After all, it’s critical that they fit within your remodeling budget.
Ask your potential siding professional for a written estimate of your project. Make sure that it includes all costs associated with replacement, including:
Costs of materials
Permits for remodeling
Labor costs paid to the contractors
Once you have this information, inquire about payment plans. Ask if the contractor expects the entire fee upfront. This is a huge red flag since you should have the opportunity to pay for most of the project after it is completed.
The best siding contractors will ask you to pay a deposit upfront and let you pay the rest post-project in smaller chunks.
3. What Is Your Licensing Status?
Every siding contractor will have a business license that makes them able to operate within their state. However, this is not the same as a specialized siding contractor license that showcases that the business is knowledgeable in siding replacement.
Contractor licenses are material proof that you’re hiring a contractor who is competent at their job. It also ensures that they will meet benchmarks for professional installation and knowledge about their industry.
Even if it feels awkward, ask to see their licensing information. You can also usually request a print copy of it if you want to go a step further. Any reputable siding professional will be happy to present it to you.
4. Are You Insured?
Uninsured contractors tend to cost less when you hire them. However, this comes with a hefty cost for you when they actually begin building. If the workers are injured while on your property while uninsured, you could be fined or sued.
It’s critical that you hire contractors that have appropriate insurance. Ask what insurance they hold and try to see a copy of their insurance documents. It’s worth paying a little bit of extra cash so that you can have peace of mind in case something goes wrong.
5. What Materials Do You Primarily Use?
Different contractors will inevitably be more comfortable using specific materials while installing siding. Some will be experienced in working with vinyl while others are primarily able to install fiber cement siding. Others will prefer working with metal or engineered wood.
Ask your potential hires what materials they primarily have worked with in the past. You want to choose a contractor that has worked with siding similar to yours. The installation process for various materials looks different, so this is critical to getting a quality job done.
Better yet, hire a contractor that knows how to install multiple materials. This ensures that you get someone who has a well-rounded perspective on home renovations and siding installation.
6. What Does Your Customer Support Look Like?
Customer support is a critical consideration to think about when hiring a contractor to install the siding. Some businesses provide subpar services that you won’t be happy with.
While you must work to choose a quality professional, this possibility always exists. You need to make sure you’re entrusting someone who is communicative and supportive both during and after the renovations process. If a company refuses to address client concerns, that’s a red flag.
At this point, you also should inquire about the warranties that your chosen siding professional offers. This will let you know what recourse you have if the siding begins to chip or peel.
7. Do You Use Sub-Contractors?
Some contractors will outsource the siding replacement and repairs that you hire them to perform. The idea is that this will make the project go more quickly as they handle the logistics.
However, when you hire a contractor that doesn’t work with your siding themselves, they have no control over the finished product quality. Essentially, a group of random strangers will have completed your task rather than the people that you initially entrusted with it.
Make sure that the nitty-gritty work is completed by full-time contractors that will take responsibility for the finished quality of your project.
Hire a High-Quality Siding Contractor Today
While choosing the right siding contractor to fit your needs can be a challenge, it’s much less stressful when you know what questions you need to ask. Now that you know some things to inquire about when talking to a siding professional, it’s time to get started.
At Americraft, we’re committed to providing you with affordable, high-quality home renovation services. That’s why we’re excited to hear about your upcoming remodels and discuss your specific siding and window needs. Contact us to request a quote for your project and begin asking all of your most pressing questions.
