What to Look For in a Siding Contractor

Whether your current siding is old or damaged or you just want to freshen up the look, replacing your siding is a significant endeavor. Before you invest your time and money, you’ll want to research different contractors to be sure you get the best deal. 

Follow this guide on how to check out a siding contractor to ensure you hire the best.

What to Consider When Choosing a Siding Company

Installing new siding is a complicated process, so it’s essential to screen potential contractors thoroughly. Let’s take a look at our checklist for hiring a siding contractor for tips on how to investigate your options.

1. Local Referrals and Reviews

If you have family members or friends who have done siding work on their homes, take the opportunity to ask them questions about it. People you have a close relationship with are likely to be honest about the contractor they worked with, so you can be sure you’re getting accurate information. 

Some questions you might ask about their experience with a siding contractor include:

• Were you happy with the final product?
• Did you think the pricing was fair?
• How was the customer service?
• Was the team friendly and helpful?
• Would you use the contractor again?

Additionally, you can check the business’s local reviews. You might be more likely to work well with a company if it’s clear other people have enjoyed their experiences too. 

2. Warranties

Siding warranties can protect against blistering, peeling and flaking that occur under normal circumstances. Warranties also last for various lengths of time, from a couple of years to a lifetime of use. The length of a warranty often depends on elements like the siding’s material. 

Warranties protect you and should cover any potential issues with the siding materials or installation. Check to see if the contractor has their warranties posted on their website. 

3. Proper Insurance and Licensing

A siding company may have a page on its website dedicated to its licenses and insurance. However, you can also find that information through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. 

Proper licensing and insurance help ensure your siding gets installed correctly and safely. 

4. Better Business Bureau Ratings

Choosing a company that is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives customers confidence in that business’s ethics. Membership with the BBB provides the reassurance of fraud protection, access to professionals in the industry and the ability to make a complaint if necessary.

The BBB is focused on advancing marketplace trust. Their ratings, ranging from A+ at the highest to F at the lowest, represent how they believe a business will interact with its customers. Some factors the BBB takes into account for these ratings include the type of business, business practices, advertising issues and government actions against the company. 

5. Certifications and Awards

Certifications show how dedicated a company is to its industry. It can be helpful to look into a company’s past and recent certifications. Current certifications show the company and team members’ commitment to continually learning about their industry. However, if their certifications are all from years ago, it may be challenging to tell if the business is still up-to-date with the latest industry trends, styles and procedures. 

The siding industry offers general safety certifications and certifications based on the type of installation. Reviewing a siding contractor’s certifications online can help you make a more informed hiring decision. 

You should also be confident about asking potential contractors questions about their certifications. It’s a contractor’s job to answer any and all questions you have, and you’ll want to be sure you understand a company’s policies and procedures before choosing them to work on your home. 

6. Company History

One of the best ways to find the right contractor is to check the company’s About Us page. Companies with a robust history and multiple years of industry experience are more reliably reputable. 

You can avoid possible scammers by checking the About Us page for factors that help verify a company’s credibility, like: 

• The company’s years in service or the date of the company’s creation.
• The company’s values.
• The company’s office location or phone number.
• An easily accessible point of contact.

It’s good to start with companies that have years of experience in the business and a proven track record. While a younger company may be just as reputable as an older one, experience does help a contractor gain expertise and skill in their trade.

If a potential contractor’s website includes a photo gallery of past projects, you can use those photos to get an idea of the company’s previous jobs and gauge their quality. 

What to Ask a Potential Siding Contractor

Let’s look at some specific questions you could ask a potential contractor based on the criteria above:

1. How long have you been in business?
2. Do you have reviews I could look at?
3. Do you use the same crew for each job, or do you sub-contract?
4. How do you resolve potential issues? 
5. Which siding material will work the best for my home?
6. How do you determine your pricing?

These are just a few questions to help get you started — as you do your research, be sure to write down any more that occur to you. The right siding contractor should be able to answer all your questions thoroughly. 

Contact Sunshine Contracting for a Free In-Home Consultation

At Sunshine Contracting, we have more than 28 years of experience in the contracting industry, and we’re committed to providing excellence to our customers. We’ve been family-owned and operated since 1993 and have served over 25,000 satisfied customers. 

In addition to our A+ rating with the BBB, we’re proud to have earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award for 12 consecutive years. Some of the other features that make Sunshine Contracting an excellent choice for your home siding project include: 

• Free in-home consultations.
• Continued certifications.
• Exemplary customer service.
• Local employees.

We always strive to exceed your expectations from the first consultation through the final steps of installation. Our siding material options include vinyl, HardiPlank and stone veneer. We use the same team for every installation and offer flexible financing options. 

If you’re ready for more information from Sunshine Contracting, schedule a free quote today! Our qualified team is ready to help you install new siding you’ll love in Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington or Loudoun County.