The perfect Chicagoland siding contractor can not only help design your home but also make your siding replacement job a breeze. On the other hand, the wrong contractor can cost you tons of time, and money, and leave you more frustrated than ever. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for in a Chicagoland siding contractor before you sign on the dotted line.
Take a look at these major qualities and make sure your chosen contractor has them before you pick them for your siding job!
Licensed and Insured
Naturally, a great Chicagoland siding contractor should be fully licensed and insured for siding installation and more. Quite frankly, being a licensed contractor doesn’t guarantee that they are credible and knowledgeable in the field or that they know all of the relevant building codes and siding installation processes. However, it will almost certainly weed out the fly-by-night contractors that do not know what they are doing and should not be allowed to work on your home.
You should never hire a contractor that doesn’t have insurance. Full stop. There are many risks with hiring an uninsured contractor. Hiring a contractor with general liability, automobile, and worker’s compensation is a must. Without it, you could be held responsible for any injury or damage your contractor causes. Additionally, hiring a contractor without insurance limits your ability to remedy the damage caused by faulty construction, such as water damage or fire. The most important insurance that a hired contractor should have is worker’s compensation insurance. Hiring a contractor without workers comp insurance could leave you paying an injured employee or subcontractor’s medical bills indefinitely, just for hiring someone to fix your property. Oftentimes, homeowners and business owners think while an injured worker is unfortunate, it is not their problem. However, if your contractor does not have worker’s compensation insurance, the worker’s compensation claim goes up to the “prime contractor” – in many states, that is the project owner. You could be responsible for their medical bills and lost wages while they are unable to work, and your insurance might not cover this risk. Always ask for a copy of a Certificate of Liability Insurance and ensure that it is up to date / not expired. Further, always ensure that the company you are hiring and the name on the certificate either matches or is a valid DBA name. Cheap contractor bids often mean fewer protections, so keep in mind that the lowest bid may not be (rarely is) the best bid. If a contractor tries to get you to hire them without insurance, skip them and interview someone else.
At HX Home Solutions, we have all of the insurance that could possibly be needed for any residential project and virtually any commercial or industrial project.
Qualities to Look for in a Chicagoland Siding Contractor: A Good Work History
Of course, good work history is also an excellent quality for a Chicagoland siding contractor. When you speak with a siding contractor for the first time, asked them whether they’ve done any siding jobs similar to what you need for your house.
If they’ve got the experience and can reference at least a few other houses with similar specs, they’re less likely to make a major mistake or cause damage to your house accidentally. Additionally, work history in the same industry means that your siding contractor will be more likely to finish the job on time and on budget.
HX Home Solutions has been around 1950 and credentials are readily available online. If you are looking to take on a project don’t hesitate to contact us.
Superb Online Reviews
These days, there’s no reason to hire an expert or contractor without taking a look at online reviews first. Google the siding contractor company’s name and see what reviews you can discover. If the reviews are mostly or entirely positive, it’s a good sign that they’ll do a great job with your home’s siding project.
On the flip side, if the reviews are either mostly or entirely negative, stay away! People don’t write negative views about companies for no reason.
What if the reviews are middling? In that case, read several reviews and determine if there are a few core factors or experiences most people report. Are the contractor’s workers rude? Are there issues with siding several months after installation? These details can help you determine whether the reviews will be accurate predictors of your experience or not.
Qualities to Look for in a Chicagoland Siding Contractor: Siding Specialization
It should go without saying that any Chicagoland siding contractor should be fully specialized in siding installation. Some home renovation or repair companies may try to offer siding contracting work to their clients. But you want a specialist doing the job whenever possible, especially if you are using a material like James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Contractors who specialize in siding are more experienced in their field. Thus, they’re less likely to make mistakes or run into roadblocks later down the road.
They Offer Project Details
Lastly, any good Chicagoland siding contractor should offer you project details. They should be able to break down the budget, time estimates, and what maintenance you’ll need to do for your new home siding once the project is done. If a contractor is an upfront about these details, it’s a great sign.
Fortunately, HX Home Solutions has all of these qualities and more. As fully licensed and insured siding contractors for the Chicagoland area, we’re the go-to choice for homeowners just like you whenever you need James Hardie fiber cement or stone siding installed or repaired. Contact us today and let us be your Chicagoland siding contractors!
