It’s no secret. Exterior renovations are a big deal. And between hefty price tags (often in the tens of thousands of dollars) and the potential for nightmare contracting situations, it’s no wonder homeowners get stressed before making major upgrades.
But while most folks don’t wake up excited to replace their siding and roof, you can have a rewarding contracting experience. The key is choosing the right contractor.
The following guide will help you make that choice. Of course, we’re partial to working with you ourselves, but if that isn’t possible, we still want you to have the best contracting experience possible.
So give our Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Right Exterior Contractor a skim. Because whether you’re looking for new roofing, siding, windows, doors, deck repair contractors, or more, you’ll find the information you need to feel confident with whomever you choose.
Tip #1: Start with Reputation (Not Just Reviews)
With the convenience of online reviews, getting a feel for a contractor may seem easier than ever. However, digital reviews are only part of the total picture—and something that should only be used as an initial screener.
For a more realistic look into a contractor’s reputation, it’s the spoken opinions of your surrounding community that matter most. This is important for two reasons.
One, you’re more likely to pay for a job well done at the hands of an experienced craftsman. And two, you don’t run the risk of a contractor disappearing after the job is done—leaving you to clean up the mess after they’ve skipped town.
Start by asking around if anyone in your social network or neighborhood recently had work finished. If so, see if you can get in touch to ask the following questions.
- Who did they work with?
- What was their experience?
- Are they happy with the work?
- What did they like and dislike?
- Is there anything they wish they could have done differently?
The answers to these questions will help you narrow down a very short list of potential contractors in no time. If a name comes up consistently, pay attention. The best reputations are won the old-fashioned way: with a long line of solid workmanship backed by their name.
Tip #2: Make Sure They Specialize in Exteriors
This may seem obvious, but to many homeowners, it isn’t. Jack-of-all-trades contractors may seem like a win—a single relationship for all of your home remodeling comes to mind—but that dilution of skill can also come at a cost.
A famous example in our area is the poor stucco installations in the 90s and early 2000s (more detailed history here). In short, a housing boom incentivized general contractors to throw up homes as quickly as possible. Stucco siding was a popular siding choice at the time and used extensively.
Unfortunately, rather than hiring a specialized stucco contractor, contractors were doing the work themselves—without an understanding of best practices for the siding type (which, when properly installed, can keep a home dry and problem-free for decades).
The cost of these shortcuts was then thrust upon homeowners when they needed to shell out tens of thousands of dollars some 10, 15, or 20 years later for a full siding remediation.
This is all to say that exterior work requires specialized installation knowledge. This knowledge is learned through certified training, experience, and attention to detail on many similar jobs—prerequisites not often exemplified in less-specialized crews.
Tip #3. Verify Licensing and Insurance
If you decide to work with a contractor who isn’t fully licensed and insured, you assume tremendous risk.
If something goes wrong on the job—botched work, an injury, for example—and the contractor isn’t properly insured, the financial liability could fall on you as the homeowner.
For this reason, it is absolutely imperative your contractor provide proof of:
- General liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Proper licensing (where required)
If you’re unsure of what to look for in your area, a quick Google search can give you all the information you need. Or, any trustworthy exterior contractor will tell you exactly what’s required, what you should look for as a homeowner, and whether or not they carry documented proof you’re both protected.
Tip #4: Review Past Projects
A picture is worth 1,000 words (especially when looking for inspiration for your exterior upgrades). But that doesn’t mean it tells the full story.
Your best bet is to view work completed in the real world. It may not always be possible, but it’s worth asking your contractor if they have local projects you can drive by to check out. Better still would be speaking with references about their building experience.
When inspecting recent work (even from afar), look for:
- Clean trim work
- Straight lines and alignment
- Attention to detail around windows and doors
If you’re able to speak with existing customers, ask questions like:
- Did the project stay on schedule?
- Did the crew communicate well?
- Would you hire them again?
You’ll find this additional due diligence well worth the effort—perhaps even saving you from a mistake you’ll regret for years to come.
Tip #5: Learn Everything You Can About Their Process
One of the best ways to judge an exterior contractor is to ask how they run their projects.
As with contracts (more on that in Part 2), vague answers are a red flag. Be sure prospective contractors can clearly explain the following:
- How they evaluate your home
- How they prepare estimates
- What happens after you sign a contract
- How communication works during the project
- How many days will be required for project completion
- Timelines and lead times before work can begin
- What happens if there is an issue with weather, supply chains, etc.
The reason these questions can be so revealing is because good contractors aren’t figuring things out on the fly. They’re repeating a clear, organized process—something perfected through years of similar projects.
And don’t worry about being “annoying.” A trustworthy contractor will be happy to take the time to make sure you’re both on the same page…
And you’re absolutely comfortable before work begins!
See You in Part 2 of The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Exterior Contractor!
You’ve come a long way. For even more tips on how to choose the right exterior contractor for your project, join us in Part 2 of this guide!
Read The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Exterior Contractor (Part 2) →
Smucker Exteriors knows how important your home is—and our crews have been keeping Pennsylvania homeowners comfortable, safe, and dry for over 25 years. With all exterior remodels and installations backed by a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty and the assurance that comes from highly-skilled crews and reputable products, there’s no reason to wait on getting your free quote in Lancaster, Chester, or Berks counties!
