Choosing a Professional Siding Contractor

 

Vinyl siding installation is a process you may not be familiar with until it's time to replace the siding on your own home.  And even then, there's alot to learn about which products to use and what procedures best meet your individual needs,  Therefore, it's vital to know you can rely on the siding contractor you choose to give you sound advice about those products and procedures.

That is why Certain Teed has developed this guide in selecting a siding contractor.  The following questions can help you determine the reliability, reputation and experience of a contractor, as well as his dedication to providing you with the best vinyl system possible.  We've outlined some important points to consider as you evaluate the terms of your proposed job contract.

A top-notch, professional will be only too happy to answer these questions.  And just as it makes good business sense to see several bids on your job, it also makes good sense to ask several different contractors these questions.

Interview the contractor:
At Certain Teed, we suggest that you evaluate your contractor as carefully as you would a doctor or a lawyer.  It is certain that you will want a contractor who employs capable installer.  It is also clear that you will need to look closely at the proposal offered, the products selected and the price/value relationship of the entire package.

But what criteria can you use to decide if the contractor is a true professional who will stand behind his work?  While there is not a single, clear-cut answer, there are a number of indicators that you can look for when going through the process.

You cannot choose a professional siding contractor by looking at an estimate and comparing prices.  Allow yourself an hour, more or less, to sit down with each contractor.  You might be speaking with a salesperson or even the owner – both should show pride and enthusiasm in disusing their jobs.  The salesperson should be knowledgeable about other jobs, which shows his amount of involvement in the actual work.

Eight Question to Ask Your Siding Contractor

1.   What is the full name and address of the company?

Getting the complete address of the company can be an important factor in determining a company's time in business.  If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well.

Try to hire a contractor that has an office nearby.  The likelihood of better service and quicker response time is greater if the company is based near your home.

2.   Does the company carry insurance?

A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance* to protect you in the event of an accident.  This can be verified by asking to see the contractor's certificates of insurance for both workers' compensation and general liability.  Let the contractor know you want current certificates sent to you by the insurer before the job is started.

Contractors may make bland assurances of coverage that, in reality, refer to other kinds of insurance such as health, life or auto insurance.  Don't be confused.  Ask specifically for proof of general liability and workers' compensation* coverage.

Be aware if a worker is injured on your property you, as the homeowner, might be held liable for all costs unless the employee is covered by workers' compensation insurance.  Hospital bill for serious accidents can be extraordinarily expensive.

Contractor who carry insurance and follow safety guidelines generally endure higher job overhead costs.  These expenses could be the cause of price variations between contractors who follow the standard versus those who ignore them.  Those who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper, but you have to ask yourself if hiring them is worth the risk.

*Workers' compensation insurance may not be required by law.  Check with your local building authorities for specific requirements.

3.   Is the company licensed?

When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city.

Not all states require contractors to be licensed.  If your state does license contractors, then he might have to pass a written examination in his special, although few states make this a requirement.  A number of cities also require professional licensing.  Check with you local licensing authority for details.

A contractor may also answer the question by telling you he has a business license.  However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor's competence.

4.   More importantly, is the company credentialed?

There are a variety of programs for professional contractors that establish their credentials as knowledgeable installers of vinyl siding.

One organization that is particularly helpful in separating the more dedicated contractors from their less profession counterparts is the Vinyl Siding Institute, or VSI.  VSI is the national trade association for manufactures of vinyl siding products and offers rigid certification programs.  A national list of VSI certified contractors and installers is published at www.vinylsiding.org.

 

Many contractors participate in training programs offered by professional associations, manufacturers and suppliers, earning special certifications and other credentials, such as the CertainTeed Master Craftsman program. Such efforts are an indication of professionalism as well as skill level.

In addition to the Master Craftsman program, Certainteed has established a new standard of excellence for
siding contractors, the 5-Star Contractor Program. To be certified as a 5-Star Contractor, installers must complete and pass our vinyl siding Master Craftsman test and our Restoration Millwork Master craftsman test in addition to the VSI Certified Installer course. Those who achieve this certification have received the highest level of training on CertainTeed vinyl siding and Restoration Millwork products. In addition to pass the three courses mentioned, a 5-Star Contractor must show proof of insurance, both Liability and Workers' Compensation (where required by law).

5.  How long has the company been in business?

Needless to say, longer is usually better. Less than three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start somewhere.  References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.


6.  Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs?

Ask for photos of completed work, and request a list of 10 names and phone numbers of customers contracted within the past 12 months. It is not necessary to call each one, but having a list of 10 will allow you to pick randomly.


7.  What is the company?s workmanship warranty?

Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not
necessarily more valuable than shorter ones. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the contractor to stand behind his warranty. That is best evaluated using customer referrals. Ask his customers specifically about these four things:


a) Did he perform his work on a timely basis?


b) Was he responsive when asked for information
and changes?


c) Did he act as if he cared about your interests?


d) And finally, would you call the company
trustworthy?


The contractor warrants his workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warrants the siding material against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover your siding project ? understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer?s warranty pertaining to the specific products you are considering. CertainTeed Vinyl Siding warranties are available online at www.certainteed.com. Usually, problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the contractor or manufacturer is more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty. Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable contractor usually will want to stand behind his work.


8. What is the company?s track record for solving customer complaints?

In order to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise, request a referral from a job that involved a complaint. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if
his contractor?s license has ever been suspended and why. Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities,
such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors whom you have
interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, to test your contractor?s reputation.


Being confident you've selected the right vinyl siding contractor will help assure you that your hard earned money has been wisely spent.

Scheduling

 

Start and stop dates are difficult to pin down due to the unpredictability of the weather. But you can control exceptions. For instance, negotiate a no-later-than clause. Be reasonable, but do make it clear that these terms will be enforced if necessary.

 

If early completion is important, offer an award for completion by an early date in addition to a no-later-than clause.

 

NOTE: Some state laws require a no-later-than clause.

 

Right-to-rescind

 

This clause establishes a time period in which the

homeowner can cancel the contract without penalty. Some states require such a clause in contracts. Check with your local authorities.

 

Three days is usually the time period given for a right-to-rescind without penalty. If the homeowner cancels the job after the right-to-rescind period has elapsed, then the contractor may request a certain dollar or percentage value of the contract in return.

 

Manufacturer's warranty specifications

Confirm that the Agreement states that all workmanship will conform to the requirements of the manufacturer' warranty and installation instructions. Especially take note of things like color fade coverage or warranty transferability.

Contractor' workmanship warranty

Make sure this is clearly noted in the contract.
Cleanup – Call for a daily cleanup of the premises.


Payment terms

Schedule, terms and method of payment should be written out fully with no room for misunderstandings.

 

Preliminary inspection

Finally, agree to an inspection with the job supervisor to establish the condition of the property before any work is done. Take special care to list the conditions of landscaping and equipment located next to your home, but don't be unreasonable with your expectations. It is not possible to re-side a house without some damage to landscaping. Discuss and agree on what is reasonable. Prepare a checklist as you go and co-sign it, indicating that both parties understand the present condition of the property. A thorough inspection after the job will determine if any valid property damage claims exist.

 

Insider Tips

Understanding the contractor

 

This pamphlet serves as a guide to shopping for a good contractor and negotiating a good contract. However, you should keep in mind that your contractor is also shopping ? shopping for good jobs that will make a fair profit and bring future referrals.




Many contractors have had experiences with unreasonable or dishonest homeowners. Therefore, they look for warning signs of customer problems during the initial job interview. Show the contractor that you are an informed consumer who has both your and his best interests in mind.

Getting a siding contractor to want your job Many homeowners have been mystified by the seeming lack of interest and response from contractors when they receive a call for a job. Here's how you can show that you are a good prospect and worth his effort.

When you call a contractor, tell him you are shopping around, but are only interviewing three contractors, not 10.

Call contractors in the general vicinity. Just like everyone else, they prefer to work close to home.

Tell the contractor that you are not looking for the lowest bid, but rather the best value. And ask for a Good-Better-Best proposal.

If you have seen work by a contractor in your neighborhood and you liked it, or if someone referred a contractor to you, call him. And when you do call, mention how you received the contractor's name.

Local Information

 

There are a number of organizations and institutions that you can contact when you need additional help or information about vinyl siding. Consider these sources:

 

Local Better Business Bureau

City, county and state licensing authorities

Local siding trade associations, whose members are actual contractors, should be active in policing their trade and can be excellent sources of information

The Vinyl Siding Institute, VSI, at www.vinylsiding.org.

We hope this brochure will help you in selecting a professional vinyl siding contractor. If you have any questions, would like literature on other specific types of products or want to find contractors in your area who qualify for CertainTeed credentials, please visit www.certainteed.com.