Installing new siding can enhance the curb appeal of your home and make your home appreciate in value. If you have the funds available to pay a professional siding contractor, it is a wise decision to hire their expertise to ensure a high quality siding installation. Many siding contractors have the experience and technical knowledge to complete the job efficiently and effectvely, ensuring that the siding installation will last for many years.

Finding siding contractors is not usually very difficult. You can easily locate a list of local contractors through an online search, looking in the phone directory or even by asking for a list of contractors at your local home improvement stores.  Choosing a qualified siding installer, one who you can be sure will do an expert job, takes a little more time and effort.

Here are several suggestions to consider when choosing the right siding contractor for your project:

• Interview Several Contractors
  You can easily pre-screen your list of potential siding installers by asking just a few specific questions.  The first question to ask is whether or not they are licensed, bonded and insured to work in your local area. The next question should be about their level of experience.  Do they specialize in a certain type of siding installation, or are they a general siding contractor?  Ask about their crew as well. Are they full-time siding installers or just hired day laborers?  Having the answers to these questions will help you separate the professional siding contractors from the amateurs.
• Ask About Materials
  Of course, not all siding is the same.  There are different materials used, different grades of quality, and different warranty lengths to consider.  Make sure the siding contractor you decide to go with can provide (or is willing and authorized to work with) the siding materials you have chosen to use.  If you have not made a decision, ask for advice regarding the  products they would recommend. Get a feel for their product knowledge.
• Get Bids
  The bids you receive will certainly play a substantial part in the decision of which contractor to hire. It is important, however, to look at more than the bottom line price of the proposal.  Do a complete walk-through with each of the contractors to understand the scope of work and to look for potential problem areas.  As each contractor is planning and writing the bid, ask any questions that you may have. This is a perfect time to get an idea about how the contractor does business.
• Check References
  Ask each contractor for references. You should plan to call or visit several references for each contractor, before choosing a final bid. Rather than asking for a copy of their “pre-selected” reference list, ask for a list of the last five or ten projects they’ve worked on (along the with dates of those projects).  Asking for a real cross-sample of customers will ensure that you will get a well-rounded list, not just a hand-picked group of customers who will always give glowing testimonials.  Be sure to contact several customers from that list. Ask each customer about the quality of the work completed, the contractor’s overall customer service, and the timeliness of the project completion. Did the contractor set upfront expectations and were those expectations met satisfactorily?
• Inspect Past Jobs
  As you narrow down potential contractors, you should do a close-up inspection of their work.  Like any type of construction project, attention to the details and trim work are extremely important.  With any siding installation, problems arise when the trim work and other detailed work are not completed correctly.  With siding installation, it is fairly easy to make the mass coverage look fine, but it is the finish work that separates the professional from the amateur.  Sloppy work is never acceptable.  Inspect several of your potential siding contractor’s past jobs closely and be sure to look at all of the small details.
• Check Out An In-Progress Job
  A great way to get a better feel of what kind of work a siding contractor actually does is to visit a current job site, observing the team of installers as they are actually working on the job. Quality-driven, professional contractors take a great deal of pride in their work and will always maintain a clean, orderly job site, insisting their crew of siding installers look and behave professionally as well. This is a step that is often skipped by homeowners as they search for the right contractor to complete their siding project; it is, however, the final step that will help you confidently make your choice in hiring a contractor and team to complete your home improvement project.
• Ask About The Warranty
  Lastly, it is always a good idea to have a clear understanding of how the warranty works. The materials and workmanship might both be covered by separate warranties. It is also important to note that the siding company’s warranty might even become null and void if the product was installed incorrectly. Get the details in writing before the project is started.

While selecting the right type of siding and the best siding installation contractor may seem like a lot of work, it doesn’t have to be a daunting challenge. It is really just a matter of looking at how they work and gauging their level of quality and professionalism, instead of choosing based solely on the bottom line price.  Allied Siding and Windows uses only top name, industry-leading siding. Using only high quality products, in conjunction with their stringent construction and production practices, ensures an optimum level of performance, results, and satisfaction for every customer.  Call Allied Siding and Windows today for additional information.