When it comes to maintaining the functionality of your home, it is incredibly important to take good care of your siding. Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to realize how their siding affects their home beyond the aesthetics standpoint — from keeping moisture out to preventing rot and mold from compromising the structural integrity of their walls.
You can make the most of your new and improved siding by hiring a local siding contractor to oversee the installation. In this article, Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. sheds light on the reasons why working with a local contractor is your best bet.
1. A local contractor is familiar with the local climate and building codes.
One of the main reasons to hire a local contractor for your siding project is that they are more familiar with the year-round climate in your area, which ultimately affects the durability and performance of your siding. For instance, for regions that have hot and humid summers, contractors typically recommend moisture-resistant materials such as vinyl or fiber cement. Furthermore, local contractors have extensive knowledge of relevant building codes, and they can ensure that your home improvement meets these standards.
2. A local contractor responds to emergencies in a swift manner.
Every second counts during an emergency. If you decide to call in a contractor from out of town, it will take them longer to respond to your situation. If puncture holes in your cladding are not addressed swiftly, for example, the risk of severe water damage will increase, potentially affecting other parts of your home, such as the drywall. Given these time constraints, it is perfectly reasonable to hire a siding contractor from your locale. Since their office is located within the area, they will be able to conduct emergency repairs to mitigate storm damage quickly and efficiently.
3. A local contractor has an extensive local network.
In cases wherein your exterior suffers from significant damage that threatens other areas of your home, your siding contractor may need to bring in other contractors — such as electricians and plumbers — to get a few issues fixed before proceeding with their work. While the introduction of other pressing tasks might seem daunting, finding local contractors like electricians and plumbers should not be a problem for local siding specialists as they usually have an extensive network of local people who can attend to your needs right away.
4. A local contractor has the personal touch.
Siding repair or replacement, much like any other home improvement, is essentially a collaboration between the homeowner and the contractor. This is why it is crucial that you bring in a siding installation contractor who maintains an open and transparent line of communication all the time. Many residential property owners prefer local contractors over national companies because of their personalized customer service. Since local contractors have a reputation to uphold in their community, you can have peace of mind that they will go above and beyond to provide you with quality service.
5. A local contractor is easier to vet.
The process of screening siding contractors from your local area is easy and straightforward. In terms of references, you will be able to effortlessly find some of the contractor’s previous clients and inquire about their experiences with the business because they live in the same neighborhood or at least in the same city. You can also visit their physical office to assess their portfolio or go to their showroom to learn about your options. After all, natural lighting can affect the appearance of certain types of siding, which is why it is recommended that you bring home siding samples so you can examine them up close.
Questions to Ask a Prospective Siding Contractor
To ensure that the local contractor you are considering is right for the job, ask them these questions:
1. What warranties do you offer?
Ideally, you want to work with a siding installation company that installs products with strong warranties and provides guarantees on workmanship. Remember, substandard products and poor installation can lead to an array of moisture-related problems and even premature deterioration. Opting for additional measures of protection might come in handy in the future.
2. Are you insured?
Ask for proof that the contractor carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Workers’ compensation provides lost wages and medical expenses to employees who are injured or become ill on the job, whereas liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from damage to property or people.
3. Do you have certifications?
A certification, often from a manufacturer, is proof that a contractor has undergone extensive training. If you are using a specific brand such as James Hardie, it will be a smart move to look for a factory-certified contractor who is specifically trained to install and maintain a certain product or line of products.
4. Do you use subcontractors?
It is in your best interest as a homeowner to work with a company that staffs a crew that handles all facets of the project from start to finish. Some companies use subcontractors to allow their business more flexibility and, to some extent, cut costs. While outsourcing certain parts of the project is not completely unreasonable, keep in mind that subcontractors may not have the same training as other employees or the level of day-to-day interaction with customers.
5. How is the siding maintained?
How much cleaning and upkeep a siding system needs after installation can largely influence your decision. An experienced siding installer will know how specific types of siding are best maintained and will provide essential information regarding the proper maintenance required by the product warranty. Though this might have little to do with the contractor performing the work, it is a practical question to raise during the initial consultation.
Call Us for All Your Siding Replacement Needs!
When it comes to top-quality siding solutions in the Bay Area, you can count on Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. Our skilled team works with some of the most trusted siding brands on the market, such as James Hardie, and is highly trained in siding installation and maintenance. We also offer strong warranties and a wide range of stains and finishes. To schedule a consultation or get a free estimate, please call (650) 287-4208 or fill out our contact form.
You can make the most of your new and improved siding by hiring a local siding contractor to oversee the installation. In this article, Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. sheds light on the reasons why working with a local contractor is your best bet.
1. A local contractor is familiar with the local climate and building codes.
One of the main reasons to hire a local contractor for your siding project is that they are more familiar with the year-round climate in your area, which ultimately affects the durability and performance of your siding. For instance, for regions that have hot and humid summers, contractors typically recommend moisture-resistant materials such as vinyl or fiber cement. Furthermore, local contractors have extensive knowledge of relevant building codes, and they can ensure that your home improvement meets these standards.
2. A local contractor responds to emergencies in a swift manner.
Every second counts during an emergency. If you decide to call in a contractor from out of town, it will take them longer to respond to your situation. If puncture holes in your cladding are not addressed swiftly, for example, the risk of severe water damage will increase, potentially affecting other parts of your home, such as the drywall. Given these time constraints, it is perfectly reasonable to hire a siding contractor from your locale. Since their office is located within the area, they will be able to conduct emergency repairs to mitigate storm damage quickly and efficiently.
3. A local contractor has an extensive local network.
In cases wherein your exterior suffers from significant damage that threatens other areas of your home, your siding contractor may need to bring in other contractors — such as electricians and plumbers — to get a few issues fixed before proceeding with their work. While the introduction of other pressing tasks might seem daunting, finding local contractors like electricians and plumbers should not be a problem for local siding specialists as they usually have an extensive network of local people who can attend to your needs right away.
4. A local contractor has the personal touch.
Siding repair or replacement, much like any other home improvement, is essentially a collaboration between the homeowner and the contractor. This is why it is crucial that you bring in a siding installation contractor who maintains an open and transparent line of communication all the time. Many residential property owners prefer local contractors over national companies because of their personalized customer service. Since local contractors have a reputation to uphold in their community, you can have peace of mind that they will go above and beyond to provide you with quality service.
5. A local contractor is easier to vet.
The process of screening siding contractors from your local area is easy and straightforward. In terms of references, you will be able to effortlessly find some of the contractor’s previous clients and inquire about their experiences with the business because they live in the same neighborhood or at least in the same city. You can also visit their physical office to assess their portfolio or go to their showroom to learn about your options. After all, natural lighting can affect the appearance of certain types of siding, which is why it is recommended that you bring home siding samples so you can examine them up close.
Questions to Ask a Prospective Siding Contractor
To ensure that the local contractor you are considering is right for the job, ask them these questions:
1. What warranties do you offer?
Ideally, you want to work with a siding installation company that installs products with strong warranties and provides guarantees on workmanship. Remember, substandard products and poor installation can lead to an array of moisture-related problems and even premature deterioration. Opting for additional measures of protection might come in handy in the future.
2. Are you insured?
Ask for proof that the contractor carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Workers’ compensation provides lost wages and medical expenses to employees who are injured or become ill on the job, whereas liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from damage to property or people.
3. Do you have certifications?
A certification, often from a manufacturer, is proof that a contractor has undergone extensive training. If you are using a specific brand, such as LP SmartSide or James Hardie, it will be a smart move to look for a factory-certified contractor who is specifically trained to install and maintain a certain product or line of products.
4. Do you use subcontractors?
It is in your best interest as a homeowner to work with a company that staffs a crew that handles all facets of the project from start to finish. Some companies use subcontractors to allow their business more flexibility and, to some extent, cut costs. While outsourcing certain parts of the project is not completely unreasonable, keep in mind that subcontractors may not have the same training as other employees or the level of day-to-day interaction with customers.
5. How is the siding maintained?
How much cleaning and upkeep a siding system needs after installation can largely influence your decision. An experienced siding installer will know how specific types of siding are best maintained and will provide essential information regarding the proper maintenance required by the product warranty. Though this might have little to do with the contractor performing the work, it is a practical question to raise during the initial consultation.
Call Us for All Your Siding Replacement Needs!
When it comes to top-quality siding solutions in the Bay Area, you can count on Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. Our skilled team works with some of the most trusted siding brands on the market, such as James Hardie and LP SmartSide, and is highly trained in siding installation and maintenance. We also offer strong warranties and a wide range of stains and finishes. To schedule a consultation or get a free estimate, please call (650) 287-4208 or fill out our contact form.