Whether it involves electric repair, HVAC installation or residential house building, local contractors often find themselves competing with far-reaching national companies. For regular homeowners looking to save a lump of hard cash, the choice seems quite straightforward; national companies can offer significantly lower prices on goods and labor because they are usually dealing in great volume. Most times, their services are available all over the country, allowing customers to deal with the same large corporation — only with different contractors performing the work — even though they are in a different state.
However, it is without a doubt that a local home improvement contractor can offer things to you that the national counterpart cannot bring forth, whether you are looking to repair a small section of your exterior that has been cracked and dented by a hailstorm or to completely upgrade the entire wall cladding. To shed light on the matter, we will share some of the most important benefits of hiring a local siding contractor and reveal key things to look for in a contractor.
1. A Local Siding Contractor Has a Personalized Approach
Turning to a national company to work on your home can be likened to calling customer service for a large corporation. It is a real possibility that you will not hear the same voice twice when bringing up critical issues over the phone. This means that the only information they will know regarding your home and the kind of work you will need will be heavily based on the notes on your profile, which can easily whip up confusion along the way.
A local siding contractor, on the other hand, will know the ins and outs of your project, from your preferred material to the level of insulation needed. You will be able to connect with the same people assigned to your home improvement project and the crew will remember you and the status of your initial plans. Moreover, since a local contractor is likely a member of the community, the personal touch is one of the distinctive features that the owner, or the head of the business, can offer you and your family. The feeling that your specific needs, goals and ideas are valued and prioritized is something that you cannot replace with a brand name.
2. A Local Siding Contractor Has Local Connections
If you are planning to replace your wood siding because it is suffering from noticeable storm damage, there is a good chance that you also need to patch up your roofing system. A local contractor can identify this kind of issue, safely inspect your leaking ceiling for a few minutes and determine that you need to call a reliable roofer. In addition, suppose that this leak gets so serious that it damages your electrical wiring. Not only do you need a professional to fix your roof, but you also now need to phone an electrician to do some necessary repairs or perhaps replace an outlet or two.
A national company will most likely be at loss. If they are not too familiar with the area, they may have a hard time searching for a local worker to finish up the job. Meanwhile, the local contractor will know a qualified roofer or electrician, someone who can give you decent price rates and whose workmanship will last for decades. Since a local contractor has local connections, they will be able to get the work done in a much faster and efficient manner.
3. A Local Siding Contractor Provides Emergency Services
What happens when a relatively new siding begins to show signs of a leak in several places during the cold, frosty winter months? A nationally known contractor did not prepare for the weather conditions that frequently occur in your city and now your exterior is not only unsightly but also allows moisture and water to seep into your home, resulting in an uncomfortable living environment. A local siding contractor is only a phone call away and can immediately get to you without having to go through a chain of people. They will be able to arrive before bigger, more costly problems take shape.
Questions to Ask a Local Siding Contractor
When repairing or replacing your siding, or any part of your home exterior, make sure you inquire about important details before signing a legally binding contract. To help you determine if a siding contractor is a right fit for you, we have compiled a short list of clarifying questions to ask them.
- Where is your office located? How long has your company been in business? A reputable contractor likely has a business office set up in your area, which is a clear sign that you are not dealing with a fraudulent person. It is also important to know how long they have been involved in the business to get a grasp of their expertise. This information can help get the ball rolling in a few other directions.
- What kind of projects have you completed? Do you have referrals I can look at? Testimonials from previous customers as well as examples of the completed work, including aluminum, vinyl or wood siding, are highly critical when searching for a top-rated siding company to work on your home. Many professional contractors will provide these details outright, whether through their website or a portfolio they carry as part of their sales presentation.
Referrals will allow you to carefully assess a potential siding contractor. An ideal thing to do is contact at least three of these people to get insightful feedback.
- What type of warranties or guarantees are included with your product? A reasonable expectation is that the siding products they will install will have some sort of warranty that is handed to you upon completion of the project. Typically, a warranty will last for at least a decade, and up to 50 years, but come with limitations.
On the other hand, guarantees on their workmanship are expected to last at least half a decade and up to 10 years, providing you sufficient time to discover anything that was installed incorrectly.
- Are you licensed to perform siding work in my state? It is crucial to find a contractor who has a piece of extensive knowledge about local and state building codes for a home improvement project such as siding installation. If your contractor verifies this question, it informs you that they are acutely aware of such codes, including all specifications and regulations that you should comply with. If they answer no, you may be bombarded with legal issues from your local zoning office before, during and after the installation. Of course, this will fall entirely on your shoulders.
Contact Us for Professional Siding Installation and Repair Services
Looking to update the look and feel of your home with a high-quality siding makeover? Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. is here to help you. We are a premier source of top-rated siding installation and repair solutions in many California counties. Our dedicated team is more than ready to guide you through the entire replacement process — from material selection, to insulation upgrade and post-installation cleanup — to make sure your family and precious belongings are well-protected from damaging elements. Call us today at (650) 529-6798 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.