Tips For Hiring A Siding Contractor

Six Tips for Hiring Siding Contractors

Selecting the ideal siding contractor for your installation or replacement project demands as much care and due diligence as choosing your siding materials. Aiming only to hire the best-qualified professionals should be your top priority. Keep the following tips in mind during your search process.

1) Ask for Referrals from Friends, Family, etc.

Word-of-mouth recommendations provide first-hand reviews from people you know and trust. Ask neighbors, family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else who’s had siding work done if they were pleased with the company that performed it. Even if they didn’t use the contractor for siding but rather for roofing, windows, or other exterior work, a company that does quality work will likely impress across all their service offerings! Pay attention to specifics about what they liked – reasonable pricing, good communication, skilled craftsmanship, etc. This gives you insight into a company’s strengths and customer service.

2) Do Your Research

Online resources offer a wealth of information to evaluate potential contractors before contacting them. Use the internet to dive into a company’s history while selecting a contractor.

Read Reviews and Check with the Better Business Bureau

Consumer review sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp provide visibility into past customers’ experiences. Look for a good contractor with consistently positive feedback and minimal negative reviews. Be wary of any alarming complaints about poor workmanship, unfinished jobs, or billing issues.

You can also look up companies on the Better Business Bureau to see if any formal complaints have been filed and how they were resolved. Good standing with the BBB is likely a positive indicator!

Ask for a Project Portfolio or a Gallery of Past Work

Most siding contractors have before-and-after photos of completed projects in their marketing materials or online galleries. Look through these to get a feel for the expected quality and workmanship. These photos will also give you ideas for siding styles and color options!

3) Get Several Estimates and Bids from Different Companies

Depending on their experience levels and overhead costs, pricing can vary widely between different contractors. To get the best deal, have at least three companies assess your project scope and provide detailed bids outlining pricing, materials, timeframe, and what’s included.

Pricing Shouldn’t Be the Only Factor

While having a strict budget is necessary, the lowest bid may indicate a company cuts corners in materials or workmanship. Seek the best value based on price, reputation, experience, quality of materials, and full scope of services.

4) Are They Insured and Bonded?

Any siding contractor you consider should carry adequate business insurance. This includes general liability to cover any property damage or injuries that occur on your property. Workers’ compensation also protects you if any of their employees get injured. Bonding offers further financial accountability should the company fail to complete the job correctly. Confirm current proof of proper insurance and bonding before signing a contract.

Don’t assume or even take their word for it. It’s your responsibility to ask to see the certificates. You can also call the insurance carrier to confirm that their insurance coverage is up to date and valid. This not only protects you as a homeowner but keeps all bids on a level playing field, knowing that part of the cost of the siding and the service being provided to you is protected with the security of coverage.

5) Factor in Their Years of Experience

Look for an established company serving your local area for several years. They’ll have extensive experience installing different siding types on homes similar to yours. Ask specifics about their background – how long they’ve been in business, how many siding projects they complete annually, and the types of specialized training their installers have. This can help demonstrate their expertise across all facets of exterior renovation work.

6) Opt for a Local Company

Make sure that the company that you choose is a local Omaha company. This means that they are not just operating locally right now, but have an established business and reputation in the Omaha community. Hiring a siding company based nearby provides advantages like more accessible in-person communication, quicker response times, and familiarity with local building codes and climate considerations. You can also visit their business location and see their operations first-hand!

Avoid storm chasers

Steer clear of the knock-on-the-door storm chasers who are canvassing and selling to the hardest-hit neighborhoods. We recommend that you pick a roofer from a couple of referrals who have been satisfied.

The majority of these storm chasers will tell you that you have storm damage and pressure you to sign a letter of intent. Tevelde And Co. will not pressure you into signing any paperwork and we won’t chase you! We encourage you to contact any of our clients to get the scoop on how we conduct ourselves in the field!