Replacement siding is a significant investment in your home exterior, and it’s vital to hire a qualified local contractor to get the precision installation siding requires.
Finding the right siding contractor for your home exterior upgrade is as important as choosing the right siding material to cover your home. To get the best long-term performance out of your replacement siding, it pays to practice due diligence in your search for the right contractor for the job.
It’s vital to ask questions of a siding contractor you want to hire before making your final decision.
What to Ask a Siding Contractor You Are Considering Hiring
When you’re in the market for new siding, take time to interview three different companies to find the best fit for your needs. Get a written estimate from each company to compare your overall cost, but more importantly understand the qualifications and track record of your potential hire.
How long have you been installing siding?
Find out not only how long the contracting company has been installing siding as a whole, but also how long the majority of the installation team has been installing siding.
Which siding materials do you install?
James Hardie fiber cement siding is the most popular siding product in America, protecting over 8,000,000 homes. Find a contractor who installs this durable, high-performance siding, and make sure they are trained by the James Hardie company to install siding according to their strict reliability standards.
You’re sure to enjoy the variety of styles Hardie siding gives you to choose from, including HardiePlank (timeless horizontal lap siding), HardiePanel (contemporary vertical siding), and HardieShingle (the look of cedar siding without the high maintenance).
Here are some additional reasons Indiana homeowners love Hardie siding:
- Get durable siding that stands up to the weather.
- Avoid pest infestation and woodpecker damage.
- Get the low-maintenance home exterior you desire.
- Protect your family with noncombustible siding.
- Enjoy vibrant factory baked-on color that stands up to UV rays and won’t chip, fade, or crack.
- Give your home the perfect finish with gorgeous HardieTrim®.
- Protect your eaves with HardieSoffits®.
What is the payment schedule for the exterior upgrade I need?
Unfortunately, scams occur in the construction industry. Storm chasers set up shop temporarily in places where severe storms just caused damage. They usually don’t have a physical address, and want all the money for the job upfront. As you can imagine, they may just take the money and run without doing the promised work.
Reliable siding contractors have a physical address, and they won’t ask for the full price of the job upfront. They may have you make a down payment of one third of the total price for your new siding, then get another third in the middle of your installation, with the final payment upon completion of the project. Be sure to get the payment expectations in writing and understand them before your project begins.
May I see some references?
Previous customers tell it like it is, so take time to ask for references and follow up on them. If their previous customers are local, go see the results of the siding replacement for yourself. Get a good feel for the contractor’s reputation by learning what their customers liked and didn’t care for about their replacement siding installation experience. Check with the BBB for ratings, look on the internet for reviews, and dig for information until you are satisfied you have an accurate picture of the type of work the contractor does consistently.
What type of warranty do you include with your siding installation?
Reputable siding contractors offer a warranty on their workmanship. Find someone with a track record of fixing any mistakes they make without an extra fee. Learn about the warranty provided by the manufacturer of your new siding. James Hardie siding comes with a 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty as long as it is installed by a James Hardie Preferred contractor. Beautiful, long-lasting Hardie siding is so reliable, you likely won’t need the warranty, but it can still provide peace of mind to have it.
Are you licensed in our state?
Many states require licensing to install siding. This will ensure they are familiar with building codes and will help avoid the possibility of legal problems. You can skip the disruption of having your siding installation shut down due to a siding contractor’s failure to meet building codes. Simply verify your contractor is licensed in your state.
Do you have liability and workman’s compensation insurance?
Adequate coverage should be carried by your siding contractor to ensure you are protected in case of accident or injury during the siding installation process. Verify the contractor you choose to hire has ample coverage so you aren’t responsible if there is an accident.
Do you leave a clean worksite daily?
Ask potential contractors what their cleanup procedures are each day at the worksite. In order to avoid possible injury, a siding installation contractor should collect debris in a large container located in front of your home. Once the full installation is complete, they will remove the container and leave your landscaping and yard looking beautiful. They should not leave any nails or other debris in your yard at the end of any day.
Get a Certified Siding Contractor You Can Trust
When choosing a siding installation expert, be sure to select a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor—like UHQ Construction—to install your Hardie siding. Protect your home and boost its value with gorgeous Hardie siding. Contact us today to schedule a convenient time to get a free estimate.
