Why Work With a Professional for Your Siding Replacement Project

Replacing old, damaged unattractive siding can help transform your home by refreshing its appearance. New siding can even make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the year. In fact, if you look at Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Reports in the last several years, siding replacement has been on the list of top home improvement projects in terms of value, as it is among the few projects that can promise a significant return on investment.

Siding replacement has a lot to offer so it’s critical that it’s done right. And as most big home improvement projects go, it can be difficult to perform and complete on your own. A local siding contractor is often more efficient in the long run. After all, aside from the installation itself, you’ll also have to deal with removing your old siding, securing permits, and purchasing the right materials.

PRO vs. DIY: A team of siding professionals may need a couple of weeks or so to finish siding an entire house. How long do you think it’ll take you to finish siding replacement on your own?

The Truth Behind DIY Siding Installation

DIY projects are not all ill-advised. There are certain home improvement projects that you can do on your own, such as constructing flower boxes and planters by the pathway, for instance. Smaller, simpler projects make people think that they can also do siding installation or replacement by themselves, too.

Indeed, going the DIY route often helps save money, which is typically the primary reason why many choose it over hiring professionals. However, DIY projects usually take longer to complete. See, professional siding contractors working full-time may need a couple of weeks or so to finish siding a home, depending on the property’s size and the weather. Note that these are experienced professionals who no longer need to take a moment or two to study a how-to guide. How much longer do you think you will need to complete the job?

The disadvantages of DIY siding installation include:

  • Lack of knowledge – Siding installation may seem straightforward, but it takes professional experience to achieve perfect exteriors. Even if you possess considerable DIY skills and experience, you still need to acquire knowledge and training specific to siding installation for you to ensure success.
  • Lack of tools and equipment – Siding panels may need to be cut on-site and this task requires specific cutting equipment. You will also need tools required in the installation that you may not find in a standard toolbox.

Taking the DIY route means doing all the work yourself, including sourcing tools and materials for your siding project.

  • Lack of access to top-quality materials – When you do DIY work, you need to purchase materials and products on your own. Unfortunately, top manufacturers typically only allow certified contractors to offer and install their products. As such, you are likely to settle for what’s available in your local hardware or home store.
  • Lack of experience in dealing with structural damage – Structural damage may be hidden from your view, presenting itself only when old siding is removed. Would you know how to deal with it?
  • Lack of proper siding disposal methods – Siding replacement can yield a lot of debris, with panels and parts coming in huge chunks and pieces that may not fit your trash bin. Do you have the means to dispose of your old siding on your own? Do you know where to take the old siding for proper waste processing?

Still Interested in DIY Siding Installation?

Before you do anything, check to see if you meet these requirements:

  • You know how to determine if siding needs to be repaired or replaced.
  • You have technical knowledge of installing siding around corners, soffits, fascia, and eaves.
  • You know how to assess a home’s condition. You can determine if spots in the home have been damaged by mold, water, or pests and if those problems need further repairs.
  • You understand the recommended installation method for your chosen type of siding.
  • You have the needed tools for cutting siding planks or panels and installing them.

If you’re unable to confidently say yes to all of these requirements, then you should seriously consider hiring a professional instead to do your siding installation for you.

Hiring a Professional Siding Contractor: The Best Decision for You and Your Home

Aside from simply avoiding the pitfalls of DIY siding installation, working with a siding contractor promises a number of benefits, including:

  • A licensed, bonded, and insured professional – A contractor’s license serves as your assurance that you are working with a trained professional that has passed industry and manufacturer skill requirements, and complies with local building codes and regulations. Licensed contractors are also required to be bonded and insured, so you won’t have to worry about liabilities and expenses should anything untoward occur during the course of your siding project.
  • Legal protection from a contract – A contract signed by you and your contractor stands as a binding document that guarantees you get what you are due within the agreed-upon time frame and your set budget.
  • Full service from start to finish – Securing permits, preparing the work area, removing old siding, installing new siding, and cleaning up: all of these and more will be handled by your contractor, so you can just sit back, relax and wait for your siding project to be finished.

ORGANIZED SCHEDULING: Siding professionals know their way around siding replacement, allowing them to create an efficient schedule that benefits both parties.

  • Organized planning and scheduling – When you hire a siding professional, you can expect everything to flow more smoothly, thanks to organized planning and scheduling. This lets you avoid delays as much as possible, ensuring your siding-installation project is completed as agreed upon.
  • Generous product and craftsmanship warranties – Reputable siding contractors stand by the products they offer and the work they do by providing warranties covering product defects and installation issues. The more generous warranty terms are, the more you can expect that you’re getting quality products and services.

A lot goes into siding replacement so it’s best left to the professionals like those at perfect exteriors. It will greatly affect your home’s form and function, after all, so it’s something you want to go off without a hitch. With your home’s exterior in good hands, you can rest assured you’ll make the most of your investment.

Author Bio:

Mark Tiffee founded our company in 1995. In the beginning, we provided high-quality residential and commercial siding and framing for builders. Mr. Tiffee saw the need for a high-quality, customer service-orientated siding replacement company. He decided to concentrate the company’s efforts on siding replacement and A Cut Above Exteriors was born. Since then, A Cut Above Exteriors has become Oregon’s siding replacement leader. A Cut Above Exteriors has installed siding on thousands of homes, condominiums, row homes, and commercial buildings.

 

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