Selecting the right siding contractor for your home improvement project is crucial to its successful completion and your overall satisfaction. Keeping that in mind, Minnesota Exteriors would like to offer you these helpful tips on what you should know about the siding contractor you choose.

Check the company’s reputability. Many times, especially after a severe storm, there are numerous exterior companies that seem to come out of nowhere, ready to give you the “best deal” on your siding project. What the homeowner doesn’t know is that once the job is done, they have a tendency to disappear, leaving homeowners to fend for themselves. That is why it is important to check out the company before you hire them. Find out how long they have been in business, whether they are members in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and what kind of feedback they have been receiving from previous customers. Here at Minnesota Exteriors, we have been in the siding business for over 60 years. So you can rest easy knowing that we will be here long after the work is done.

Gather all of their contact information. Make sure to get the name of the company, their street address (not just a PO Box), and a local phone number where they can be reached during business hours. If the company is not willing to give you any of this information, chances are good that it is a scam.

Is the company licensed, insured and bonded? The state of Minnesota requires that all remodeling contractors be licensed. Ask for the company’s license number, then contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for verification. Also, it is required by the state of Minnesota that a company provide proof of liability, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance in order to receive the license. Ask the company to see a Certificate of Insurance for each of the three.

Get it all in writing. Having everything you discussed with the contractor in writing is essential in negotiations. It provides hard evidence that what you wanted is what they promised to do, and you both agreed to it. Make sure the company provides a written guarantee of workmanship, detailed estimate, work schedule, and contract for you to look over. Also, make sure you read everything and are clear about everything written before signing any document. If you are unclear about certain parts or if there are things missing, do not sign for anything.

It’s not just about cost. It’s true that if someone is offering something cheaper than another, it can be a major draw. But sometimes it can also be a warning sign as to the quality being offered as well. When choosing between multiple companies, consider quality of work and customer relations as well as price. It could be well worth the extra money spent to know you can count on them to do a quality job now, and be around later on for repairs and follow-up. Be especially wary if a company is offering to do the same kind of work as their competitors for significantly less.