Replacement siding is a significant investment in your home’s protective layer. Updating your siding increases your property’s beauty, protects it from harsh weather 24/7, and more. And if you choose your siding material wisely, you can get a significant return on your investment (ROI) according to JLC’s Cost vs. Value Report.
Siding like fiber cement can last up to 50 years when installed correctly and maintained well over the years, and its performance is greatly impacted by who installs it and how attentive they are to details. Read on for tips on how to find the best siding contractor.
Get Optimal Long-Term Results from Your Siding by Hiring the Best Contractor for Your Needs
1. Ensure Your Contractor Is Licensed and Insured
Make sure the siding professional you are considering hiring has proof of general liability insurance, property damage insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. This protects you if an accident happens on your property while your siding is being replaced. Verify with the insurer that the policy is active. Additionally, make sure the contractor is licensed in your state. This ensures they are up-to-date on local codes. They should also be obtaining local building permits for your exterior upgrade.
2. Take a Close Look at the Contractor’s Reviews and Reputation
Read up on any contractor you are considering hiring for your siding replacement. After all, testimonies of firsthand experience from recent customers will give you the best feel for what it’s like to work with a given contractor. Check their reviews on Angi, HomeAdvisor, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Additionally, ask neighbors, family, and friends about their experience with siding contractors.
It’s not uncommon to ask a contractor if you can reach out to a few of their recent customers to see their work in person and talk with the former customers. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting into by taking this step.
3. Find Out if the Contractor Has Any Special Training or Expertise Installing a Particular Siding Material
Fiber cement siding delivers outstanding long-term results. It takes specialized training and experience to install it properly, so if you desire to have your home covered in this amazing material, make sure you ask the contractor if they specialize in its installation.
At Bluff City Exteriors, we are trained by James Hardie and meet their ongoing rigorous standards of excellence to maintain our status as an Elite Tier Contractor within the James Hardie ALLIANCE, giving you confidence that your siding will be installed with precision.
4. Learn About the Manufacture’s Warranties (and Workmanship Warranties Too!) That Come with the Siding Material You Desire
Before settling on which siding material you’ll have installed, learn about the warranty that comes with that particular siding. Hardie siding and trim comes with a 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty. However, for the warranty to be honored, your siding needs to be installed by a contractor in the Hardie Alliance Program. The strict standards James Hardie requires of the contractors in this high caliber group helps you know your siding will be handled with care and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines—ensuring it will go the distance and perform optimally over its lifetime.
Additionally, ask the contractor you are considering hiring about their workmanship warranty.
5. Ask About the Cost and Payment Plan
A reputable contractor will give you a written or printed estimate with a detailed account of the siding replacement project you are inquiring about. Material costs, permits, and labor costs should all be represented on the estimate. The contractor should have a payment plan outlined in writing on the estimate. If they ask for 100% of the project’s cost upfront, they are likely not legit and you should look elsewhere for a contractor. An initial deposit is customary, with the remainder of the cost due upon your siding replacement’s completion. You should be comfortable with the payment schedule before moving forward with any contractor.
6. Read Through the Contract
You will be presented with a written, detailed contract to read and sign before your project begins. Take time to examine it, ask any questions that arise, and ensure you are comfortable with all of its parameters before signing it. It should include your upgrade’s start and end date, and information on site cleanup, work permits, how conflicts are handled, and more.
7. Look for a Locally Owned and Operated Contractor
The great thing about going local is that if you have any concerns that pop up after your siding is installed, you can contact your contractor easily and resolve issues promptly.
When storm season arrives, there is a possibility that companies will visit your area and try to make a quick sale by offering shoddy work. It’s simple to avoid scams. Ask the contractor you are considering hiring what their local address is. Visit their business on-site so you have the best idea of what you’re getting. Local contractors are an optimal choice because they value their reputation and are easy to find after your upgrade.
8. Get at Least Three Estimates and Compare
Once you’ve researched a few different options, contact your top choices and have each of them give you an estimate on replacement siding. Compare the estimates, and don’t necessarily go with the lowest bid. Look for the top results and the contractor who you’re comfortable hiring.
Get Long-Lasting Beauty for Your Exterior with New Siding Installed by Our Experienced Team
Is your siding damaged, fading, or simply worn out? When it’s time to re-side your home, you can move forward with confidence when you choose a local, reputable contractor with a track record of success (like us!).
At Bluff City Exteriors, we help homeowners unlock the full potential of their home’s exterior with beautifully designed, low maintenance remodeling solutions. As an Elite Alliance James Hardie contractor, we install siding with the manufacturer’s standards so you reap the full benefits of Hardie siding. Learn more about how our siding replacement services can bring out the best in your home’s curb appeal while safeguarding it from the elements.
