Why vinyl siding popular among homeowners? Because it is cost effective. It is versatile. It comes in different textures, profiles, and colors. It can withstand different elements such as impact from hail and heavy wind. It is resistant to excessive moisture, so it will not rot or corrode over time. It is easy to maintain. It reduces home cooling and home heating costs.
Once you decide to install vinyl siding, it is time to choose a reputable vinyl siding contractor. How do you choose the best vinyl siding contractors? Get recommendations. Interview several contractors. Check their insurance and licenses. Ask for their references. And check for their complaints.
The following are the best ways of choosing the right vinyl siding contractor.
1. Get Recommendations
There are people who have hired these contractors. They can be your family and friends. You can ask these people for recommendations. If you know a reputable building inspector, ask that inspector for recommendations. The best contractors are highly recommended.
However, there are some vinyl siding contractors that are not recommended. A lot of people have hired these contractors, but they did not like their services. Do not hire these contractors. If you find a new vinyl contractor, it may not have a lot of recommendations. Avoid these new contractors.
2 Interviews Several Contractors
Do not pick the first vinyl siding contractor you find. Interview several contractors, especially if you want to make an informed decision. Ask several contractors if they take a project your size, they provide financial references from banks and suppliers, and they give a list of their previous clients.
Ask if the vinyl siding contractor have several other projects. There are contractors, who have several projects going at the same time, so they hire subcontractors. You need to know the reputation of these subcontractors. Hire a vinyl siding contractor that is available, reliable, and give enough attention to their projects.
3. Ask for Written Estimates
Once you have a list of vinyl siding contractors you like, it is time to ask them for written estimates. The best contractors inspect your property because they want to give you their correct estimates. If you want to compare their bids, ask several contractors for their profit margins, cost of materials, labor, and other expenses.
Do not select contractors that have very low bids. Why? Because some of these contractors do not focus on these projects, so they do not have offices. Some of their employees do not have enough experience. Established contractors have huge overhead, so their estimates cover their overhead.
4. Complaints and Licenses
Check the licenses of several contractors. The best vinyl siding contractors have proper license. And their subcontractors are licensed. Licensing process varies by state and country. These contractors must undergo a licensing process to protect you.
If the contractor does not have the right license, it means it has not undergone the licensing process. So, the contractor is not qualified for this job.
Check the complaints. The best subcontractors do not get a lot of complaints. They rarely get complaints. If they get these complaints, they contact the person who wrote that complaint. And they solve the problem easily. Their previous customers are happy.
5. Check References
The best vinyl siding contractors give their potential customers their references. They do not hide their references. Why? Because they do a perfect job. And they rarely get complaints. If you talk to their current and previous customers of these contractors, you will learn more about them. If the vinyl siding contractor does not provide their references, do not select that contractor.
These are the best ways of choosing the best vinyl siding contractors.