When you are looking to hire a siding contractor, there are some things that will be obvious and apparent from the get-go. However, there might also be some “hidden” things that a homeowner might not see right away when looking to have a siding project done.
In this article, we will look at some telltale signs of good siding contractors as well as what to stay away from. While all siding or exterior remodeling companies may seem the same at first glance, by doing a little research into the company before hiring them you can save yourself time and money.
Experience
Experience is important when hiring siding contractors. While you might be tempted to hire the siding contractor who charges less, sometimes cheaper isn’t always better. If someone has been siding for 20+ years and does all different types of siding that can mean that their siding skills are top-notch and that they’ve probably dealt with almost every situation imaginable.
Costs of Siding Repair or Replacement
What you want to look for here is if the company is able to come out, assess your needs, and provide an upfront material and labor estimate for your siding project. You’ll want to rinse and repeat this cycle at least three times, so you end up with three estimates from different contractors in your area.
If you’re in the Denver, CO area and looking for reputable companies in the area to inspect your siding, start with Peak to Peak Roofing & Exteriors. They’ve been in business for over 20 years, and their friendly staff is more than willing to come out and inspect your siding. Reach out today for a free inspection.
Location
This is sometimes a not-so-obvious factor in choosing a contractor. If you are replacing or repairing siding or doing an exterior remodeling project because of a natural disaster or a wicked storm, there’s a very high chance that contractors from all over are flocking to your area in search of business from all the vulnerable victims of the storm.
These contractors often make you feel pressured to use their company, get the repairs done immediately, and then do shoddy work. Always choose someone local. Avoid scammers from out of town.
Products
Make sure that the siding contractor you go with uses high-quality materials for your new siding. You should be able to tell immediately if they are using cheap siding repair products, which can often fail sooner than expected. They might provide instant curb appeal at half the cost, but looks fade quickly. Look for siding contractors who use only the best siding materials available on the market and who also charge a fair price for these siding products. You’ll be able to see this in your estimates.
There are so many different materials to choose from, like fiber cement, wood siding, vinyl siding, etc. Make sure you compare all of your estimates and don’t be afraid to ask the contractors what makes one product better than another, and why it is a good fit for your home. Also, be sure to ask what kinds of warranties come with each product.
Scheduling
When choosing a siding contractor, it is important to find one who will work with your schedule and needs around when you need siding repairs and replacements done in your home. Ask your potential project manager what their upcoming work schedule is and when they can fit you in, and ask the project manager how long it is estimated to take their team.
Customer Service
This is where siding companies really separate themselves from each other. Siding contractors who provide residents with great customer service will be easy to work with and speak to (and understand). They’ll help walk you through the siding repair process, answer any questions that you might have, and tell you everything about siding repairs before they are even necessary.
This is one of the reasons we suggest having at least three companies come out to your home to provide estimates. It’s a chance to see their customer service in action.
Referrals
Ask for referrals, and use them! If a company is offended when you ask for references, or hesitant to share past client info with you, move on. They might not your best option. A reputable siding company will be proud to show you their past work, and they will be happy to provide you with some references.
Be sure to actively follow up with the referrals the contractors give you. Ask their past customers how they like the product on their house, any project highlights they remember, how well the contractors communicated well throughout the exterior remodeling process, would they hire them again, etc. Make notes about your conversation and attach them to your different estimates, and then thank them kindly for taking the time to speak with you.
Do Your Due Diligence for Your Siding Project
While all siding companies seem similar at first glance, making sure that you check up on these few criteria can save you time and money down the road. A good sider knows siding repair and siding replacement inside out, has a high degree of experience, can offer quality siding materials, warranties, and products. He or she should be willing to work within your schedule to complete siding repairs in a timely manner.
Be sure that you are able to communicate with your siding contractor before you sign any contracts so that there are no surprises later on down the road. In short, do your due diligence before you commit to a siding contractor. You don’t want to end up getting your lawyers or insurance company involved later on when you find out that all you bought was instant curb appeal, and not a quality job or quality materials.
Remember, if you’re in the Greenwood Village, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, or Denver area, and you’re looking for a reputable contractor that offers superior siding services, contact locally-owned Peak to Peak Roofing & Exteriors today. If they aren’t already, Peak to Peak should be your go-to Denver siding contractor. They’ve been in the business for over 20 years doing quality work and a fantastic job in a professional manner on every exterior remodeling project.