It’s tough to determine what the best option is for your home exterior. You can go with an affordable contractor or one that prioritizes quality workmanship. It all comes down to what you value most in a contractor.
With so many contractors out there, it’s hard to know who to choose for your project. Here are five tips to help you make the best decision:
1. Do your research.
It is essential that you research potential contractors before hiring them.
To get started, ask your friends and family if they know of any good siding contractors. Chances are, you’ll be able to find someone who has had work done before and can point you in the right direction.
After you have compiled a list of potential contractors, get an accurate gauge of their work and customer service by reading reviews from actual people on sites such as Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor. People tend to be more critical when leaving feedback about a contractor’s quality of work and how they treat customers—so you can get a pretty good idea if they would fit well with your job.
After you have winnowed your list of possible contractors, call to set up times for them to give you an estimate. While they are there, ask questions about their experience and what methods they would use to better your home.
Once you have received all the estimates, compare them closely and choose the contractor that you think is best suited for the job and has a reasonable price.
2. Experience and Expertise
When you’re ready to hire someone to replace the siding on your home, naturally, you would want somebody with experience in the field who knows what they are doing. The ideal contractor will have access not only to the appropriate materials but also know which methods work best for faster completion times.
You can usually find a general contractor for small repairs at your local hardware store. But, if you’re looking for someone to put up siding, then you’ll likely need to find a contractor with the required expertise and experience. These types of contractors provide an array of services that include roofing, deck construction, windows and doors– just to name a few. Some examples of such contractors are TrimTech or CertainTeed who both specialize in vinyl siding installation
To ensure your potential contractor has the necessary expertise, here are some guidelines:
Any contractor worth their salt will have no qualms about presenting you with examples of similar projects from their portfolio. By doing so, you can gauge the quality of their previous work and get a sense of what to expect.
In order to ascertain a contractor’s competency, request references from their previous clients. Once you have these names, reach out and ask about their individual experiences working with the contractor in question.
Why not ask the previous client how satisfied they were with the outcome of their project? You should also inquire about difficulties that may have come up and get a breakdown of total costs. By doing this, you can make an informed decision on whether or not to work with this contractor again in the future.
Check how long the contractor has been around for. If they just popped up, there’s a larger chance that they’re new to the field and don’t know what they’re doing.
3. License and Insurance
Hiring a contractor to install new siding is major. You want to be sure that the person you pick has all of the right qualifications and insurance policy.
If you want to find a reliable contractor, ensure they are licensed to work in your state. Each state has its own standards for contractor qualifications, so this will at least tell you that they meet some bare minimums.
Review your contractor’s insurance policy to ensure they are qualified. A great company will have liability and workers’ compensation insurance, which protects you from any damages or injuries that might occur during the installation process. This policy also offers benefits if an employee gets sick or hurt because of their job.
Most siding contractors are general contractors, so they can do a lot of different construction jobs. Many states also require that businesses be licensed as roofers before they can start doing side work, because installing roofs and sidings is often connected.
4. Interview Contractors
First impressions are key, and your home’s exterior is usually the first aspect that potential buyers or tenants notice. Siding contractors can help improve your home’s curb appeal by either installing new siding or repairing any damage. Before hiring a contractor, be sure to get quotes from several businesses and ask the following questions:
What material do you use for your siding?
A contractor who knows what they’re doing should be able to help you determine which type of siding is right for your home. For example, brick fading less over time than wood siding.
Do you have any knowledge of the sort of siding I’m interested in?
Not every contractor will have the ability to install your desired siding—some types of siding can pose problems. If this is true for the contractor you’re speaking with, ask if they could intimate other contractors who would be able to handle installation.
What is your warranty?
Siding is a long-term investment, so you want to make sure you get something that will last. If the contractor has a solid warranty, it might be worth spending more money on better quality siding.
How long will the installation take?
A variety of factors determines how long it will take to install siding. Some examples are the size and number of windows and doors on your house. If you’re installing new siding, ask your contractor for an estimate.
How much will it cost?
When you are trying to finalize whether or not you want siding, an important question to ask your contractor is how much the project will cost. If they dodge giving you a price quote, it might mean that they do not have enough experience for the job. Be sure to get a reliable estimate before making any decisions about continuing with new siding installation.
Do you have any pictures of past work?
Before you spend money on new siding, look at a contractor’s past projects to get an idea of their quality and if it meets your standards. A person who has a gallery of his work is usually proud of them and knows about the materials used, so you can be assured that your purchase will be worth it.
Conclusion
Hiring a siding contractor doesn’t have to be complicated. Just make sure they fulfill the criteria on this list, and you’re good to go. And if you want the best of the best, Urtiz Roofing & Waterproofing is always happy to help out!
