If you’re considering having the siding of your home replaced, you’ll find (if you haven’t already) that it is not an easy task to find the right siding contractor.
There are a lot of things to inquire about, many of which homeowners may not be aware of, that go into finding the right contractor to take care of your home — which is why we’ve created this series that shares fourteen things to look for when hiring a siding contractor in the Madison area.
In Part 1 of the series, we’re covering:
- What Goes into an In-Depth Siding Inspection
- What an Estimate Should Look Like
- Siding Manufacturer Quality & Reputation
- The Strength of a Product’s Warranties
- Payment Terms & Financing Options
Let’s get started …
WHAT GOES INTO AN IN-DEPTH SIDING INSPECTION
Alright, you’ve found a handful of siding contractors you want to get in touch with. Before you have them stop by for an inspection, make sure the inspection is completely free. And if you come across a siding contractor that’s looking to charge for an inspection, no matter how nice they may seem, find another contractor.
In addition to being free, inspections should be thorough, and include photography of any areas that the contractor sees as problematic. And if you’re having an inspection after a storm (especially if it’s a hail storm), it’s important that the contractor is well-experienced working with insurance companies to ensure that if a claim needs to be filed, the contractor can work with you and the insurance company to make sure everything is in order.
If the contractor doesn’t mention it, be sure to ask them exactly what their inspection entails, as a thorough inspection includes looking at things like:
- Surface condition
- Ground clearance & bottom edges
- Seams, butt joints & corners
- Window & door trim
- Roof-to-wall transitions
- Fasteners & nails
- North-facing and/or shaded walls
WHAT AN ESTIMATE SHOULD LOOK LIKE
An estimate should always be in writing, and it needs to include a detailed, accurate description of the proposed work, including the products and supplies being used.
This helps paint a picture for a homeowner as to what an accurate price looks like, as well as an understanding of what’s included and what’s not.
If a contractor seems hesitant to provide a written estimate, or if there are parts of the estimate that are left blank, we suggest finding another contractor. In other words, if it’s not spelled out in advance, look elsewhere.
Note: I always recommend that homeowners get more than one estimate for any exterior remodeling project. Although it can be tempting to just pick a contractor you feel good about, multiple estimates help you make an educated decision.
SIDING MANUFACTURER QUALITY & REPUTATION
Once you have an estimate in hand, it’s easy to do a little digging to find out if the siding manufacturers a contractor partners with are quality brands with good reputations.
As you might imagine, the top brands are at the top because they make superior products that will typically last longer, perform better, and look great for years to come. And although vinyl siding solutions from these brands can cost more up front, they can easily lead to long-term savings — and less headaches — for homeowners.
The best brands, like the ones mentioned below, prefer to partner with siding contractors that are competent, fully insured, and have an extensive, positive track record.
To help you on your quest for the best siding manufacturers, here’s a short list of which manufacturers we recommend, and also work with …
THE STRENGTH OF A PRODUCT’S WARRANTIES
Simply put, the quality of a warranty is just as important as the quality of the siding you choose for your home.
All of the above mentioned siding companies provide excellent warranties when you have an authorized contractor like Legacy Exteriors do the installation (by the way, the quality of the installation is also just as important as the quality of the siding you choose).
It’s important to understand what warranties are included with the purchase of your new siding before signing on the dotted line — so make sure your potential contractor provides all of the details in writing. Also, make sure you get printed copies of the warranties for your records. To reiterate, because they create top-of-the-line products, you’ll find that the manufacturers listed above provide the best warranties — with CertainTeed’s being the best of the bunch.
In addition to the manufacturer’s warranties, it’s important to understand the details of the siding contractor’s workmanship warranty, as well. Siding contractors with higher credentials and certifications, like CertainTeed’s 5-Star Rating, typically provide better installs AND more robust workmanship warranties.
PAYMENT TERMS & FINANCING OPTIONS
It’s important to understand exactly what the payment terms are for your siding project, as well as what financing offers are available with your potential contractor.
Payment Terms
Make sure payment terms are clear, acceptable, and in writing. This includes how much of a deposit is required, if any, as well as the terms that detail how long you have to pay in full after the work is done.
Note: if a siding contractor asks you to pay in full in advance, find another contractor.
Financing
Whether you have the savings to pay-in-full, or not, a great deal like our 0% financing for 24 months makes it possible to pay off your new siding over time, without paying any interest.
Note: If a siding contractor is offering financing deals, it is an indication that they are financially stable, as lenders typically require siding companies to go through an application process that vets their financial standing before being approved to offer financing.
A Final Note on Payments …
Be sure to pay your siding contractor in a traceable method like a credit card for added protection from your bank. Contractors that only accept cash payments are a huge red flag, so avoid them.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a complimentary inspection, feel free to contact us anytime. We’re always happy to help!