Curb appeal is a big deal, even if you aren't selling your home. Pulling up to an attractive, well designed house every day will make you feel more comfortable and content. And the exterior elements of your home are just as practical as they are beautiful. A popular way to spruce up your home's exterior is by updating or repairing your siding.
A siding project can be small scale, such as when you need to repair a damaged section. But most siding jobs are larger and can cover the majority of the façade on your house. It may be an expensive job, but you can save money when hiring a siding contractor with three simple steps.
Step 1 - Know the Product
It's important that you do your homework before contacting a siding contractor. Read up on the materials and the process of this home improvement project. Not only will this help you to know what a siding contractor is talking about, but it will protect you from being sold something you don't want or need.
Preferably, you should know what type of siding materials you would like before having the contractors come for an estimate. Whether it's vinyl siding, wood or aluminum siding or composite materials - making that choice beforehand and based on your own research is best. Then you will be able to obtain the best price based on the needs you have already assessed, protecting you from being oversold or undersold.
Don't choose a product based solely on price. You need siding that is durable and provides adequate protection for your home, which will also reduce heating bills and damage repair costs.
Step 2 - Contact At Least Three Contractors
Chances are that your city, town or county has a number of siding installers close by. Ask for some referrals and contact at least three to come and give you a detailed quotation. Beware of any that will give you a price over the phone without visiting the site. They may present you with extra costs when the job is completed.
It's often recommended that you contact at least one contractor that is a dedicated siding installer. Many general contractors and tradesmen will include siding installation in their services, but also work on a variety of other projects. To get a fair comparison, you should have at least one company (preferably two) that concentrates on siding alone. They will have a level of experience and expertise that you may not get with a general contractor.
Step 3 - Shop the Prices
Once you have done your research and asked each contractor to quote on the same product, compare the estimates side by side. Base your choice on more than just the bottom line - always go with a contractor you can trust. Check their references and have a look at some past work. But if that contractor has submitted a higher bid than the others, give him/her an opportunity to come down. As long as they are quoting the same product (or a very close alternative), you are not being unreasonable to ask if they will match a competitor's price.
If they won't then you have a decision to make. But the simple act of asking is likely to save you a good deal of money.
Siding projects will completely update the exterior of your home and create a solid layer of practical protection for your house at the same time. Do your research and decide which type (and possibly which brand) of siding you want before calling a contractor. Be sure to get at least three companies to quote on your project and don't be afraid to ask the contractors to match or beat a competitor's price. With these three easy steps you can save money when hiring a siding contractor and end up with a fresh new look for your home's exterior.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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