Frequently Asked Questions
Replacing the outside of your home is a big decision, and you should not have to guess your way through it. Below are the questions Northern Virginia homeowners ask us most often, grouped so you can jump straight to what you need. If your question is not here, call us at (703) 499-8654 and a real person will answer it.
Getting Started
Is the estimate really free?
Yes. Every in-home consultation with Sunshine Contracting is free, and there is no obligation attached to it. We measure your home, look at the condition of what is there now, walk you through your options, and leave you with a written price. What you do with it is up to you.
Do I need to be home for the estimate?
We recommend it. Most of the value of the visit comes from the conversation: which product suits your home, what colors work with your roof, how the project will be sequenced. That is hard to do over voicemail. Plan on about an hour.
Will I be pressured to sign the same day?
No. We have been in business since 1993 because homeowners in this area recommend us to their neighbors, not because we talk people into things. Take the estimate, compare it, and call us when you are ready.
How do I schedule?
Call (703) 499-8654 or fill out our free estimate form. Tell us which part of the home you are thinking about and where you live, and we will find a time that works.
How soon can work begin after I sign?
It depends on the product. Stock materials move quickly. Custom windows, doors and specialty siding colors are built to order and take longer. Your production manager orders your material, confirms lead times, and calls you to schedule installation once everything is in.
What We Install
What exterior services does Sunshine Contracting offer?
We are a full-service exterior remodeling company. Under one roof we handle:
- Siding
- Trim, soffit and capping
- Roofing systems
- Replacement windows
- Exterior doors
- Gutters, downspouts and leaf protection
Because all six live in the same company, a siding project that turns into a siding-and-gutter project does not mean hiring a second contractor or coordinating two schedules.
What siding options do you install?
We install James Hardie fiber cement siding, insulated vinyl siding, premium vinyl siding, specialty vinyl profiles such as shake and board-and-batten, and composite cladding. We also carry the full range of siding accessories — shutters, mounting blocks, gable vents and more.
Which siding is right for my house?
There is no single answer, and anyone who gives you one without seeing your home is guessing. Fiber cement holds paint beautifully and stands up to our freeze-and-thaw winters, which is why it is our most requested product. Insulated vinyl adds R-value and costs less. Composite cladding gives you a wood look with none of the upkeep. Your consultant will show you samples against your existing roof and trim so you can see the difference in person.
What trim and soffit work do you do?
We install James Hardie trim and soffit, AZEK PVC trim, and aluminum wrapping with vinyl soffit. Wrapping your existing wood trim in aluminum is one of the most effective ways to stop the annual scraping-and-painting cycle without replacing everything.
What roofing systems do you install?
Our roofing work covers asphalt and fiberglass shingles, lifetime architectural shingles, lifetime designer shingles, specialty architectural shingles and cedar shake.
Is a roof more than just shingles?
Yes, and this is where corners get cut. A roof is a system. Along with the shingle itself we address underlayment, flashing at every penetration and wall intersection, and attic ventilation. Skipping ventilation shortens shingle life and can void the manufacturer’s coverage. We install the full system, which is also what qualifies your roof for the strongest available warranties.
What kinds of replacement windows do you carry?
We install vinyl, wood and fiberglass replacement windows in double-hung, casement, slider, bay, bow, picture and geometric styles. We also handle the exterior casing and trim around the opening, so the finished result looks intentional rather than patched.
What exterior doors do you install?
We install entry doors, patio doors, French doors, sliding glass doors and storm doors.
Do you install gutters and gutter guards?
We do. We fabricate seamless aluminum gutters on site, install copper gutters for homes that call for them, size and place downspouts to move water away from your foundation, and install leaf protection systems so you are not on a ladder every fall.
Credentials, Warranties and Peace of Mind
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Sunshine Contracting is a licensed and insured Virginia contractor, carrying both general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. We are glad to provide our license information and a certificate of insurance on request, and you can verify any Virginia contractor through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
What certifications does Sunshine Contracting hold?
Two matter most to homeowners here:
- GAF Master Elite — held by a small percentage of roofing contractors nationwide, and required to offer GAF’s strongest system warranties.
- James Hardie Elite Preferred — James Hardie’s top installer designation, earned through training, volume and quality review.
We also hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have been named to Qualified Remodeler’s national Top 500 list for more than a dozen consecutive years. You can see the full list on our certifications and affiliations page.
Why do manufacturer certifications matter?
Because the best warranties are not available to everyone. Manufacturers reserve their strongest coverage for contractors they have trained and vetted, and they will not honor a system warranty on an installation that did not follow their spec. Certification is the manufacturer telling you, in writing, that this crew installs it correctly.
What warranty comes with my project?
Every project carries two layers of protection. The manufacturer warrants the product itself, and Sunshine Contracting warrants the installation. Coverage varies by product line, so review the specifics for your project type, and your consultant will go over exactly what applies to your home before you sign.
What is the difference between a material warranty and a workmanship warranty?
A material warranty covers the product if it fails — a shingle that delaminates, a window seal that fogs. A workmanship warranty covers the installation. Most exterior problems are installation problems, not product problems, which is why the second one matters more than homeowners expect. Ask every contractor you interview for both, in writing.
Can I see your work or speak with past customers?
Absolutely. Browse our project galleries by trade, read our customer reviews, and ask your consultant for addresses of completed projects near you. After thirty years and tens of thousands of Northern Virginia homes, there is almost certainly one close by.
Who actually does the work — employees or subcontractors?
Our installation crews are our own, factory trained and certified by the manufacturers whose products they install. Several of our crew chiefs have been with Sunshine Contracting for more than a decade. You are not getting whoever was available that week.
What Happens During Your Project
How long will my project take?
A door or a handful of windows is often a single day. A full siding and trim replacement typically runs four to seven days depending on the size of the home. A roof is usually one to two days. Your production manager gives you a timeline before work begins and updates you if anything changes.
What if it rains?
Exterior work is weather dependent, and Northern Virginia weather does not consult our schedule. If we have to stop, we secure the job site first — any opening in your home is wrapped and protected before the crew leaves for the day. We would rather lose a day than install a product in conditions that compromise it.
What happens if you find rotten wood underneath?
It happens, and it is one of the reasons old siding is coming off in the first place. When we find damaged sheathing or framing, we stop, show you the condition, explain the options and the cost, and get your approval before proceeding. You will not find surprise line items on your final invoice.
How should I prepare my home before installation day?
A few things help the job go smoothly:
- Keep your driveway clear for material and dumpster delivery.
- Move or protect plants and shrubs close to the house.
- Take down pictures, mirrors and wall decorations hanging on exterior walls — vibration from removal can knock them loose.
- Plan to keep pets indoors and away from the work area.
- Expect noise and organized piles of debris. The site gets cleaned at the end of every day.
Will my drywall crack?
Removing and installing siding creates vibration, and that vibration can occasionally cause nail pops — a nail head pushing against drywall from behind. We work carefully to minimize it, but on some homes it is unavoidable. We tell you this up front rather than after.
Do I need a permit or HOA approval?
Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction across Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Stafford counties, and most Northern Virginia HOAs require architectural review before you change a color or material. Talk to your consultant early — the approval timeline is often the longest part of the project, and starting it at the estimate stage saves weeks.
Who is my point of contact once work starts?
You will have a production manager assigned to your project who orders material, schedules installation and handles questions during the job. On site, the crew chief is your day-to-day contact. Both are reachable at (703) 499-8654.
What happens when the job is finished?
Plan to be home for completion. We walk the property with you, you inspect the work and ask anything you want, and once you are satisfied you sign the job completion certificate and make final payment. If something is not right, we want to hear it at the walkthrough, not months later.
Cost, Financing and Payment
How much will my project cost?
Honest answer: nobody can tell you without seeing your home. Price depends on square footage, the number of stories, roof pitch, how many windows and corners break up the wall, the condition of what is underneath, and the product you choose. What we can promise is a detailed written estimate with no vague allowances, so you know exactly what you are buying.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We work with financing partners who offer flexible plans for qualified homeowners, including promotional rates as low as zero percent. Details are on our financing page, and your consultant can walk you through the options during your estimate.
When is payment due?
Final payment is due at job completion, after you have walked the property with us, inspected the work and signed the job completion certificate. All payment terms are spelled out in your contract before you sign anything.
How can I pay?
We accept check and credit card payments online. Financed projects are handled through your lender.
Do you offer any discounts?
Sunshine Contracting offers discounts and promotions to help make projects more affordable. Ask your consultant what is available when you schedule your consultation.
Where We Work
What areas do you serve?
Sunshine Contracting is based in Woodbridge and serves the greater Northern Virginia market, including Prince William County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington County and Stafford County. Communities we regularly work in include Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Dale City, Montclair, Manassas, Springfield, Burke, Fairfax Station, Clifton, Centreville, Chantilly, Alexandria, Annandale, Falls Church, Vienna, McLean, Tysons, Great Falls, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Brambleton, Broadlands, South Riding, Sterling, Purcellville, Round Hill, Middleburg and Lovettsville.
See the full list on our service areas page.
What if my town is not on the list?
Call anyway. The list is not exhaustive, and we can also serve homeowners in parts of Maryland. It takes one phone call to find out.
How long have you been working in this area?
Since 1993. Sunshine Contracting is family owned and operated, headquartered at 12958 Harbor Drive in Woodbridge, and we have helped more than thirty thousand Northern Virginia homeowners improve and protect their homes. Our crews know which products hold up in this climate because they have watched them do it for three decades.
Still Have a Question?
Call (703) 499-8654 or schedule a free at-home consultation. We will look at your home, answer your questions in plain language, and leave you with a written estimate — no obligation.
