Ask The Right Questions. Hire The Right Contractor.
How to Choose an Exterior Home Remodeling Contractor
Knowing what to ask a home exterior remodeling company BEFORE you make a hiring decision can save you a lot of headaches. Here are some essential questions for determining the reliability, reputation and experience of any exterior remodeling contractor.
Six Questions To Ask Your Exterior Remodeling Contractor:
Is The Company A Local And Established Business?
Employ a contractor with an established business in your local area. A guy in a truck with a business card is NOT an established business. Local firms can be checked through references from past customers in the community. See JoCo Siding & Windows 3rd party live-feed reviews by going to our GuildQuality review page, our Angie’s List review page, or our Houzz review page.
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. Our Kansas City siding and window company carries the state required worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability insurance to protect you, the homeowner, and our employees as they work on your home.
Is The Company Licensed?
Not all states require contractors to be licensed; however, a number of cities require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details. Bill Christie, the owner and President of Johnson County Siding & Window Co., Inc., is fully licensed through Johnson County Contractor Licensing with a Johnson County Class A Contractor License. Also, if your home was built prior to 1978, make sure your contractor is a Certified Lead Renovator. Our local Kansas City remodeling company is a Certified Lead Renovation Firm through the EPA (NAT-23545-3) and the state of Kansas (KS10-1179) and our crew supervisors are also Certified Lead Renovators. So, protect your family and look for the logo!
More Importantly, Is The Company Credentialed?
It is important to establish a contractor’s credentials as knowledgeable installers of the exterior products they sell. An organization separating the more dedicated contractors from their less professional counterparts is the Vinyl Siding Institute, or VSI. VSI is the national trade association for manufacturers of vinyl siding products and offers rigid certification programs. In the fiber cement siding industry, James Hardie provides siding contractors with an installation specialist to inspect the installation and verify that the manufacturer guidelines have been met. Our fiber cement siding installations have consistently passed and exceeded every inspection! JoCo Siding & Window Co. is proud to be part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance Program with Preferred Contractor Status. As a Preferred Contractor, we have consistently demonstrated high standards in quality, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
What Is The Company’s Workmanship Warranty?
Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. The intent and ability of the contractor to stand behind his warranty is what’s important. The contractor warrants his workmanship. The manufacturer warrants the material against defects in manufacturing. JoCo Siding & Window Co. provides every client with a 5-Year Workmanship Warranty.
What Is The Company’s Track Record For Solving Customer Complaints?
Check with your local Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List to find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor, and if so, was the dispute resolved. Click on the Kansas City Better Business Bureau link or Angie’s List to confirm the status of JoCo Siding & Window Co., Inc. Our professional company practices have resulted in a proven track record for the past 40 years!
As a Kansas City homeowner, be cautious of unprofessional contractors whose reliability, reputation, & experience cannot be easily verified!
NARI Membership: Professionalism Matters
Besides asking the 6 essential questions above, look for memberships in reputable professional associations. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is an independent association dedicated to enhancing the professionalism of the remodeling industry. Johnson County Siding & Window Co., Inc. of Olathe, Kansas, is a member and supporter of our local Kansas City NARI chapter.
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