How to Choose a Siding Company

A new siding project can bring many perks to your home, including enhanced curb appeal and increased value for sale. Siding Companies Charleston SC will also impact your home’s energy efficiency.

The best siding contractors will have a proven track record. When selecting a contractor, research online reviews and get multiple estimates.

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When a homeowner hires a professional to do home remodeling, they want top-quality work. This will increase their property value and may make it easier to sell. However, they also need to find a contractor that will perform the work at a fair price. Choosing an unlicensed or under-insured contractor can cost them more money in the long run.

When looking for a siding contractor, it’s important to ask about their experience. How long have they been in business, and how many satisfied clients do they have? You can also check the company’s reviews online to see what previous customers have said.

A good contractor will be licensed by the state or city and should have proof of their licensing available for you to view. Licensing demonstrates their competency and means they have passed exams about the types of projects they do. A licensed contractor will also be able to obtain the necessary permits needed for your project.

In addition to the licensing, a reputable siding contractor should have insurance coverage. This will protect you if an accident occurs during the remodeling process. It is important that a contractor carry liability and worker’s comp. Otherwise, any issues that come up will fall on the homeowner to resolve.

Another important question to ask is if the contractor is an authorized dealer for the type of siding you want installed. This will ensure that you are getting the best quality materials and proper installation. Additionally, a siding contractor that is an authorized dealer will have access to a variety of special deals and promotions.

You should also inquire about the manufacturer’s warranty and workmanship guarantee. These vary by product, but are important to know. In some cases, a poor installation will void the manufacturer’s warranty, so it’s essential to find a contractor who offers a workmanship guarantee.

Before the remodeling begins, it’s a good idea to remove any pictures or shelves from the walls that are being worked on. This will prevent them from falling and damaging your valuables. Also, it’s a good idea to park your vehicles away from the house so that they don’t get damaged by construction debris.

A siding contractor must be insured to protect their company in the event of an accident or liability claim. Without insurance, a small incident could result in huge legal bills and financial losses that would put the business at risk of going out of business. It’s important for a siding contractor to get the right insurance that is tailored to their specific business.

General Liability insurance is one of the most common types of insurance that a siding installation contractor can purchase. It protects your business from third-party bodily injury and property damage, as well as reputational harm and advertising injury. It also covers medical expenses and repair costs. You can also choose to add umbrella insurance coverage to your general liability policy. This coverage extends the limit of your insurance policy and can help you save on premium costs.

Workers’ Compensation insurance is another type of insurance that all siding installation contractors should obtain. It helps cover the medical expenses and lost wages of employees who are injured or sick while working at your company. This type of insurance is necessary because it will protect your business in the event that an employee sues over a work-related injury or illness.

Commercial property insurance is another type of insurance that siding contractors can obtain to protect their business’s physical assets. This includes their equipment, tools, and vehicles. It also covers their inventory and the space they use for their business. This insurance is crucial because it can protect your company from unexpected disasters and weather events.

In addition to insurance, it’s also important for a siding contractor to have other types of business protection, such as a fiduciary bond and an ERISA bond. A fiduciary bond is an insurance policy that protects a person who holds power of attorney or trust from allegations of fraud, embezzlement or dishonest acts. An ERISA bond is an insurance policy that provides employees with benefits such as health and life insurance, disability insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment. These are policies that your business must have to comply with governmental regulations.

When choosing a siding contractor, it’s important to ask for references. This will help you determine whether or not the company is reliable and professional. A reputable company should have no problem providing you with references from past clients. These references will give you an insight into the contractor’s work and customer service. They will also provide you with a sense of confidence in the quality of their work.

In addition to asking for references, you should also check out the contractor’s website and online reviews. Look for online reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, HomeAdvisor, and Angi. You should avoid contractors that don’t have an online presence or have only a P.O. box as this may be a sign that they are a storm chaser looking to take advantage of homeowners in their area following a natural disaster.

The length of time a contractor has been in business is another important factor to consider. A long history of experience means that the company has established a solid reputation and is likely to be around for a while. It also means that they are familiar with local building codes and practices, which minimizes the risk of them ripping off homeowners.

You should also make sure that the contractor you choose is licensed to perform siding installation in your state. If you aren’t sure, it’s always best to contact your local building department and ask. Licensed contractors are required to follow strict guidelines, which will protect you from any problems that may arise during the project.

Finally, you should ask the contractor what their warranty policy is. A reputable company will stand behind their work and offer a warranty on both labor and materials. A work warranty will provide you with peace of mind that the job will be done correctly and that any issues will be addressed promptly.

Finally, it’s a good idea to ask the contractor what type of siding they use and their preferred installation methods. This will help you narrow down your options and find the best contractor for your project. For example, if the contractor only uses James Hardie products, they will have extensive training and be able to install them properly. This will ensure that the fiber cement siding meets manufacturer specifications and offers maximum durability.

If you are considering a siding project for your home, you’ll want to choose a contractor who has plenty of experience. Not only will this ensure that they’ll do a quality job, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing that they’ve handled situations and complexities that may arise during your project. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Ask your prospective contractors for photos of their previous projects. Not only will this help you see the quality of their work, but it can also show you the type of projects that they specialize in. For instance, some contractors specialize in different types of houses, while others are more skilled at installing exterior doors. Make sure that the photos you’re looking at are from projects similar to your own.

Additionally, if you’re interested in a specific type of siding, find out how many times the contractor has installed that material. This will help you gauge how experienced they are in the field. You’ll also want to know whether or not they offer any warranties for their installation services and the materials that they use. For example, lap siding comes with a 30-year non-prorated limited warranty, which covers both the product and workmanship. However, this warranty is void if the product is improperly installed. Ask your potential contractors about their warranty coverage and how they handle any unexpected problems that might arise during the project.

During your search for the perfect siding contractor, don’t be afraid to get multiple estimates from different companies. This will allow you to compare prices and determine which one is best for your needs. While you’re at it, be sure to ask each contractor about their insurance and licensing. This will ensure that they’re following state regulations and have liability insurance in case something goes wrong during the project.

Also, make sure that the contractor provides a detailed, written estimate and contract before beginning any work on your project. This will avoid any misunderstandings and unexpected expenses down the road. It’s also important to ask about any additional costs that might occur due to unexpected damage or complications during the project. For example, if moisture damage is discovered after the old siding has been removed, how will the contractor address it?