What to Look for in a Siding Contractor

Siding is a big part of the overall look of your house, and if you’re in the market for a siding contractor, you need to ensure:
a) You’re properly educated on the types of siding available to you, and what the different choices mean in terms of maintenance and longevity.

b) That you choose a contractor who will help fully explain your options, and will execute your work at the highest level.

In this article, we wanted to give you a few handy guidelines on what to look for in a siding contractor.

1. Look for a siding contractor with a wide range of experience:

When it comes to siding, experience really is key.  You need a contractor who has a broad history with many different types of siding, so that when they advise you on the implications of each type, you know that they’re not trying to sell you on their strengths, but instead making sure you have the best siding for your needs.

For instance, wood siding is an attractive option to some, but buyers must be aware that they will need to be scraping and re-painting every 4 to 7 years.  If you’re planning on updating the colors of your home at some point in the future, then you’ll definitely need to stay away from vinyl, which can’t be painted.

2. Make sure the scope of work is clearly defined:

As with all things, it’s important to make sure you and your contractor know EXACTLY what your expectations are before you start, to avoid any issues down the line.

Take the time to communicate with your contractor and make sure you’re completely on the same page in terms of the scope of the work.  Be sure that you’re fully comfortable before agreeing to begin the work.

3. Try to look at other work the contractor has done in the past:

Nothing speaks more clearly about the quality of a contractor’s work than prior examples.  Ask your contractor for sites that he or she has worked on previously.  Once they provide them, go ahead and take a look at a few in your area.  If the workmanship looks strong, then you’re in good shape!

If your contractor refuses to provide local examples, this should be a big alarm bell – either they don’t have much experience, or they’re intentionally not wanting you to see the final results of their work!

4. Understand the warranty on the work:

This ties in with point #2, but it’s important to make sure that you’re fully aware of the warranty on the work, as it may vary from contractor to contractor.  Make sure you’re fully comfortable with the warranty before proceeding.

With these handy tips, you’ll have a smooth experience installing your siding!