Top 9 Questions to Ask Siding Contractors Before Signing a Contract
One of the biggest stressors of starting a home siding project is ensuring that you’re hiring a contractor that’s reputable and reliable. Thoroughly vetting these pros ensures that the contractor you select will provide exemplary craftsmanship and customer service. While it takes initiative on your part, we strongly urge you to ask the below questions prior to signing a siding installation contract.
1. How Much of a Down Payment is Needed For My Siding Project?
As a rule, 1/3 of the project price is an appropriate down payment. This allows the contractor to purchase the siding materials that are needed to get the project going. If a contractor requests full payment upfront, it’s a red flag and leaves the homeowner no recourse other than the legal system if the project isn’t completed correctly, in a timely manner, or even at all.
2. Have You Ever Done Business Under a Different Name?
The contractor’s reaction to this is often more telling than their actual words. Few contractors will admit that they’ve closed the doors of their previous company and started a new one due to litigation or bankruptcy.
3. How Will This Siding Look on My Home?
Quality siding contractors can show homeowners exact product samples in order to assist in the decision-making process. In addition, digital renderings can be used so that homeowners can experiment with various siding colors in order to pick a winning combination.
4. Will Your Siding Quote Be Broken Down by Line Item?
Contractors that have nothing to hide offer transparent contracts that show all costs as separate line items. This also provides homeowners documentation of color selections and materials being used.
5. When Will the Job Start & How Long Will It Take?
Bear in mind that factors such as material availability and weather can cause these dates to shift. However, this information gives you a baseline to create reasonable expectations.
6. Where Are Your Company Headquarters?
If you get a vague answer, PO box, or an address that’s several states away, it’s likely you are dealing with a storm chasing contractor. These individuals often descend on hail damaged areas and perform shoddy work if the job even gets completed. If it does and there are workmanship issues that present themselves down the road, it’s unlikely the siding contractor will come back to make adjustments.
7. Do You Have a Reference List of Past Customers I Can Contact?
Speaking with past customers and asking them questions can allow you to deduce whether the contractor performs quality work, how they handle curveballs, and whether the project was completed on time and budget. Here’s a list of contractor reference questions we recommend asking.
Watch Our Twin Cities Craftsmen Install Steel Siding:
8. Are You Licensed to Do Work in My State?
Building codes vary by municipality. It is critical to the success of your siding project that your contractor be licensed so that any legal issues that arise from your area zoning office are handled by the contractor.
9. Can You Provide Documentation of Your Insurance Policy?
Some contractors offer deeply discounted prices by not carrying liability and workers compensation insurance. This spells real trouble for the homeowners, as they are then responsible for any property damage or physical injuries to installers.
