What to Look for in a Siding Contractor

When your home needs new siding, it’s vital to the success of your upgrade that you find a reputable, experienced contractor who will go the extra mile installing your siding to perfection. One smart place to start is by looking for a local contractor with a good reputation in your community. 

Local businesses are super accountable for their results, and if you have any issues after the renovation is complete, they will show up to ensure your satisfaction. After all, they live in your community and have a reputation to uphold! Here are additional siding contractor qualities to look for.  

How to Find a Top Siding Contractor for Your Upgrade

1. Are you licensed and insured?

Before allowing anyone to upgrade your property, it’s critical to ask them about their insurance and licenses. They should provide you with proof of liability coverage and workers’ compensation insurance. This protects you in the unlikely event of a work-related accident on your property. The contractor should also be licensed with the state because a Portland siding company may have different licensing requirements than an Kansas City siding contractor. This ensures your exterior upgrade is done to the proper standards and with the appropriate permits. 

2. How long have you been in business?

If you hire someone with a lack of experience, it can lead to problems down the road with your siding. It takes training and significant experience to install siding with precision. Look for a contractor who has served thousands of homeowners and has many great reviews to prove it (like us!). Trust is earned, so find a business that has earned the respect of the people in your community, and you’ll be positioned to expect great results. 

3. What is the address of your local office? 

It’s important that the contractor you hire has a local address. You may have heard about contractors who require a large percentage of the project’s cost upfront and then either don’t show up to do the work or rush through the work to go on to the next project. These “storm chasers” offer to do your exterior upgrade at a discounted rate compared to local contractors, but the job is usually not well done. The problem is, they are from out of town, and it’s pretty tough to find them after the upgrade is complete should you have any issues with the results. This is just one of the hassles you won’t have to deal with when you choose a reputable, local contractor (like us!). 

4. What type of siding material do you install?

The professional you hire should be an expert on the facts about the siding materials they install. They should be able to educate you on several options and guide you toward the best long-term solution for your home. At Safe Harbor, we install popular James Hardie® siding and trim products, versatile Mastic vinyl siding, and elegant stone veneer siding—giving you diverse options to choose from. 

5. What type of training does your team have installing my preferred siding material? 

When you decide on a particular siding type, in order for you to enjoy optimal results (for up to 50 years if you choose Hardie siding and trim), the contractor should be trained and experienced installing that specific siding material. For example, if you choose Hardie siding and trim for your upgrade, you’ll want to hire a contractor who is trained by the manufacturer. 

By hiring a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, you ensure your 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty is positioned to be honored, and that your siding was installed according to the manufacturer’s standards. Hardie’s elite preferred contractors are held accountable for a broad set of standards from requiring liability and workers’ compensation insurance to maintaining a good credit report and ensuring customer satisfaction that verifies the highest level of service. 

6. Where can I find reviews and referrals for your past siding installations? 

The contractor you choose should have excellent reviews from satisfied customers. Reviews tell you a lot about the type of experience you should expect to have with the contractor. Look at online ratings, Angi, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for information about your prospective contractor’s track record. 

Ask the siding pro for referrals of recent similar projects they have completed. Find out if the people who recently had their siding replaced by this company were happy with the results and the whole process. Ask how well communication went, how clean they kept the worksite, and how any unexpected challenges were dealt with. 

7. How long will my project take, and when can it be scheduled? 

The contractor you hire should be able to tell you how long your upgrade will take and when it will begin. Looking at the weather forecast is part of the scheduling process as stormy weather can cause delays. Find a contractor who has a reasonable timeline for your project and a history of completing upgrades in budget and on time. 

8. How do you leave your job sites?

Your home exterior upgrade won’t be complete until all the evidence that you just had your siding replaced is gone from your property. Professional siding contractors take pride in leaving your property looking pristine in every way. They haul off the debris and clean up thoroughly from the upgrade they just finished. 

Enjoy Gorgeous New Siding on Your Greater Kansas City Area Home  

No one wants to deal with a high-maintenance home. That’s why we install James Hardie fiber cement siding. What makes it the most popular fiber cement siding in America? It differs from all its competitors, as it’s designed to resist hail, snowstorms, UV rays, fire, and pests. And it comes with an outstanding 30-year warranty. 

At Safe Harbor, as a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, we follow their strict guidelines on the installation process to meet the warranty requirements and ensure you get high performance throughout its lifespan. Learn more about how our siding services can enhance your home’s beauty while safeguarding it from the elements—for decades!