Have you noticed cracks in your home siding? Is there mold beginning to grow? These are all signs that your siding is rotting.
You’ll need to choose a siding contractor to replace it soon. If you don’t, parts of your siding will fall off. This will leave the walls of your home vulnerable to water damage.
Since damaged siding can’t keep out the elements like it used to, your power bill will go up. If you try to sell your home, you won’t be able to get as much as you would probably like from it.
There are a few things to keep in mind when weighing your options for siding contractors. Keep reading to learn more.
Set a Budget
Before you begin comparing siding contractor costs, set your budget. When you contact a company to ask about their pricing, be sure to get a written estimate.
This estimate should include the total cost of labor and materials. There are some contractors that charge extra for both.
Due to the expense involved with replacing home siding, many companies allow customers to enter a payment plan with them. If this is something that your contractor offers, your payment schedule should be on the written estimate.
Look For Proof of Insurance and Licensing
The last thing you want to do is to hire a contractor that doesn’t have insurance. If you do, and they damage your home, they won’t be held responsible for it.
If they don’t have worker’s comp insurance and one of the contractors is injured while installing your siding, you might be the one paying their hospital bill.
It’s also important that your contractor holds the proper licensing. This proves that they’ve received training and are experts in their field. It will also ensure that you’re able to obtain all the permits you need for your siding project.
Ask for Details
There’s an interviewing process that takes place when hiring a contractor. You’ll need to ask a prospective company certain questions either in person or over the phone.
To start, get their address. If they give you a PO box, that should raise a few red flags. Many companies that don’t have a physical address aren’t legit.
You should also find out how long they’ve been in business. If they’ve been around for 5 years or more, that increases the chance that they have experienced workers on their team. In the event that your siding needs repairs, it also ensures that the company will still be around to do them.
Some companies have a team of qualified contractors on their team and others hire subcontractors. There’s nothing wrong with the latter, but you still may want to find out who’s going to be working on your home. At least make sure the subcontractors have all the right certifications.
Check Out Reviews
No one can tell you what it’s like working with a company quite like past clients. That’s why, before hiring a company, you should consider reading online reviews.
You can see what everyone is saying by typing a business’s name into Google or checking out review sites. Some companies put customer testimonials on their site as well.
Something to keep in mind when you’re looking up reviews is that almost every company will have a few negative ones. It’s crucial to look for patterns. If more than a few clients have complained about the same thing, that’s cause for concern.
Ask About a Workmanship Warranty
There are two different types of warranties. The first one is a manufacturer’s warranty. This will cover any defects in your home siding.
The second type of warranty is a workmanship warranty. This one is provided by the contractor and covers any installation mistakes.
If a contractor offers a lengthy workmanship warranty, that means that they are confident in the quality of their work.
Get Multiple Quotes
When you’re shopping around for a contractor, it’s recommended to get price quotes from at least three. Ask all three contractors the same pricing questions so you can make a fair comparison.
Question them about discounts. Different companies will offer different savings. The same goes for payment plans.
As stated before, you want to get every estimate in writing. Each should contain a complete breakdown of what you’ll be paying for.
Read the Contract
Don’t sign a contract until you go over it with a fine tooth comb. It will highlight all the most important parts of the job, including who will be working on your home.
It will also have a project start and end date on it. If you need to change the scope of the project for any reason, the contract will tell you how to do that.
Learn What Materials They Use
It’s not uncommon to find a contractor that meets all your criteria until you ask about materials. They only offer vinyl and steel, but you want wood.
Explore the company’s site ahead of time to find out what materials they work with, or give them a call and ask.
Choose a Siding Contractor That’s Right for You
When your siding begins to rot, you’ll need to replace it right away. If you don’t, you’ll leave your home vulnerable to water damage and mold growth.
The trouble is that it’s hard to choose a siding contractor that has all the skills and qualifications needed to handle your project. Freeman Exteriors is the number one contractor in Champaign, IL. Contact us to get an estimate on our services today!
