Larger national contractors can usually offer lower prices on materials and labor since they’re dealing in bulk. This makes them an easy choice for homeowners who are looking to spend on affordable siding products and services. However, local contractors are also worth considering since they can offer you many things that national companies can’t.
In today’s post, siding installation expert Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. shares three of the top benefits of working with a local siding contractor. We also list a few questions that you should ask a prospective contractor to help you decide whether they’re a good fit for your project or not.
Why You Should Choose a Local Contractor
Local contractors are capable of providing a quality of service that’s distinct and valuable. To give you a general idea of why you should choose a local company to handle your siding project, here are three of the best reasons that you might want to consider:
Local Connections
Sometimes, even when you intend to fix or replace only one specific part of your home, your contractor may find other areas or problems that need to be addressed by other experts before the planned work can be started. In some cases, such issues are found during the initial inspection. Other times, these are only discovered upon removal of the old materials.
These things can happen during a siding replacement project. Your contractor may detect some signs of roof leaks, rotting, mold growth or damaged wiring, and the required solutions may be outside their expertise. In this kind of situation, a national company may have difficulty finding someone in the local area to do the necessary work.
A local contractor, on the other hand, will likely have an easier time locating a professional because of their local connections — which means the additional work can be done faster. Furthermore, you can have peace of mind that your contractor will be tapping other reputable and trustworthy businesses too.
Emergency Service
This is perhaps one of the best things about local contractors — they’re just one phone call away. Sometimes extreme weather conditions can cause damage to your siding, requiring emergency repairs. In such a case, national companies may take some time before they can get back to you. Meanwhile, local contractors can attend to your needs as soon as possible and show up at your doorstep in no time. Of course, in emergency situations, it’s best to have the work done immediately in order to prevent further damage.
Personal Touch
It’s usually difficult to develop loyalty and trust in national companies because you’re likely to never speak with the same person twice. This can make their service feel impersonal and their staff less approachable. Local contractors usually operate with a personal touch that makes it easier for clients to feel comfortable and secure — like they are really being listened to. It’s also a common trait of local businesses to know their clients well. They’re not simply looking at the notes on your profile; they actually know your project and circumstances. Thus, they can provide more personalized advice, and they can quickly answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your project. Local contractors are typically hands-on with the projects they oversee, so communicating with them is often easier than with national companies.
What to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring Them
Of course, not all local siding contractors can offer the same quality of service or meet your specific requirements. That’s why you should take some time getting to know a company before signing a contract with them.
Below are some questions that you can ask prospective contractors to learn more about their business and obtain other relevant information:
What Siding Materials Are You Most Experienced With?
It can be easy to find seasoned contractors. However, you’ll want to make sure your contractor specializes in the specific material that you plan on using for your siding. By asking about the siding materials that they are experienced with, you can ensure that they are really qualified to carry out your project.
Do You Use Subcontractors?
Siding replacement is not a one-person job, so it’s important to know who will actually do the work and who will be responsible for specific tasks throughout the project. Ideally, you should hire a company that can cover all aspects of the job from start to finish. This way, you can be sure of having direct connection with the workers on site at any point in the process. While subcontracting works in some construction and remodeling projects, keep in mind that subcontractors are only liable to the company that hired them and not to you.
What Type of Warranties or Guarantees Do You Offer?
It’s only reasonable to expect that the siding products to be used for your project will come with a warranty. Typically, such warranties provide coverage for 10 to 50 years, with limitations. Meanwhile, guarantees on the contractor’s service or workmanship is usually at least half a year up to 10 years.
What Else Will You Be Replacing Aside From the Siding Material?
When replacing your siding, you’ll likely want to update the trim, soffits and eaves too. Make sure to ask specific questions about these elements so that the details are clear to both you and your contractor. This would also help you make sure that these items will be included in the written estimate. Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity to inquire about and fully customize such details. Remember that a good-quality trim can also make a big difference to your home’s curb appeal.
Get a Free Siding Quote Today!
Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. is a leading provider of custom home construction and remodeling services. We execute projects according to the needs and preferences of our clients, so you can rest assured that you will get excellent results for your home. We only use quality materials, such as James Hardie siding products, and ensure the correct techniques are used for all installations. Call us at (650) 287-4208 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.