Hiring any kind of contractor is always an important decision. Get this choice wrong, and you could wind up spending a significant amount of money on work that will need to be repaired before long. The ideal outcome is to get a fair price on quality work, which, in this case, is why you need to take some time to pick out the best siding contractor for your home.
There are few jobs on a residential project as important as installing siding, since the siding is going to protect your home from the elements day after day. Simply put, this is not something you can afford to get wrong. Whether you are installing all-new siding on your Maryland home, or just having some repairs completed, you want to put the task in qualified hands.
To help you make the right pick, we have assembled a few tips below that you can consult while making your choice.
Visit a Home Show
Early in the process, it may be helpful to visit a local home show. Many of the local siding contractors in your region will have a booth at the show, and you will be able to speak with them face-to-face. Sure, you could simply browse the web for options, but taking a trip to a home show will add a personal touch to the process. Also, the simple fact that a contractor has taken the time (and money) to setup a display at a home show is a good sign that they are a serious business and not a fly-by-night operation.
Look for References
Once you have compiled a list of possible contractors – either by visiting a home show or just browsing the web – you can then look for references or referrals for those companies. Sometimes, the manufacturers of siding materials will have ‘certified’ contractors listed on their website. This is a great endorsement, and should give you some level of confidence in the business. Also, you could simply ask around your neighborhood for recommendations if you notice that anyone else has had siding work completed.
The Pros and Cons of Online Reviews
You are almost certainly going to check out reviews online before making your choice, and there is nothing wrong with doing so. However, you will want to keep in mind that not all reviews – both positive and negative – are legitimate. It is difficult for sites to verify reviews, so some of the comments you see could possibly be a smear campaign by the competition. Feel free to check out the reviews, but always remember that you can’t necessarily take them at face value.
Confirm the Details
At this point, you are probably down to just one or two contractors. Before you sign on the dotted line, you will want to confirm the important details to make sure you are dealing with a quality organization. You will need to check their license and insurance to make sure they are up to date, and confirm that the contractor will be getting all necessary permits for the work. Don’t accept any excuses on these final points – if one company doesn’t have all of their paperwork in order, you can simply move on to the next option.
Researching and choosing the right siding contractor for your home will take a bit of time and effort, but it is more than worth it when you consider what is at stake. Good luck!