A siding consultation is a great opportunity to vet your potential contractor and start getting an idea of what your new siding should look like. If you've scheduled one, however, you may be wondering what questions to ask to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
At Nelson Exteriors, we've been serving the Atlanta Metro for almost 50 years, and we have decades of experience in siding installation and repair. Throughout that time, we've always strived for clear communication with homeowners. That all starts with a siding consultation where we share additional information about our business and recommendations for your home. Here are the questions you should ask any siding contractor during your initial consultation.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
While this should typically be the first question you ask before even scheduling a consultation, it's important to make sure you verify this information no matter what. Here in Georgia, residential and general contractors must be licensed to provide services for your home. There is a big difference between having a business license and being licensed. Do not be faked out, read the link above, as 99% of companies are not properly licensed.
They must also have general liability insurance to protect against potential incidents while working on your home. These credentials protect you as the homeowner, ensuring the contractor you work with is above board and protecting you from liability in the rare event that accidents or injuries happen.
Are You Certified by Any Manufacturers?
Manufacturer certifications are a great qualification for a siding contractor to have. If your siding expert is certified by leading manufacturers such as James Hardie, it establishes both their skill and craftsmanship when working with these products. It also grants access to better manufacturer warranties.
If you have a specific brand of siding in mind, we recommend confirming your contractor is certified to install their products. If you don't have a brand in mind, ask your contractor what brands they are certified with to ensure they have specific manufacturer training on the installation requirements.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
Working with an established contractor will bring numerous benefits to you as a homeowner. For starters, companies with a longer track record tend to have more experience, which is always beneficial for any home improvement project.
However, the advantages don't stop there. The longer a company's been in business, the more reviews and references they'll be able to provide, helping you understand their quality of work. When it comes to workmanship warranties, these are worth much more coming from a company with a demonstrated history of success—as you can trust that they'll be around to stand behind their word.
What Is Your Quality Control Process?
Some companies will simply try to complete work on your home as quickly as possible, with little regard for leaving a mess or the final appearance and quality of their work. When you sit down for a siding consultation, it's a good idea to ask your contractor about their entire process, and especially their strategy for quality control.
Here at Nelson Exteriors, we assign a dedicated project manager to every job we complete. They act as your point of contact throughout the project and continually oversee work on your home to ensure your siding installation is carried out expertly.
What Siding Do You Recommend for Our Needs?
The best siding contractors won't spend an entire consultation selling you hard on one specific product. Instead, they'll take the time to learn more about you, your home, your budget, and your needs and wants. After this, they'll make a detailed recommendation—and often they'll provide multiple different options so that you can make an educated decision about what's best for your home.