1. Are You Licensed in This State?
Licensing requirements vary by state, but every legitimate contractor should have one. Ask for their license number and verify it with your state licensing board. If they hesitate or cannot provide one, walk away. An unlicensed contractor means no legal recourse if things go wrong.
2. Do You Carry General Liability Insurance and Workers Comp?
General liability insurance protects your property if the contractor damages it. Workers compensation covers injuries to their crew on your property. Without workers comp, you could be liable if a worker gets hurt at your home. Ask for certificates and call the insurance company to verify they are current.
3. Will You Pull the Building Permit?
Most municipalities require permits for siding work. A contractor who suggests skipping the permit is cutting corners. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell your home and may not be covered by your homeowners insurance.
4. Can I See References from Recent Jobs?
Good contractors are proud of their work and happy to share references. Ask for 3 to 5 references from jobs completed in the last 6 months. Call them. Ask if the job finished on time, on budget, and if they would hire the contractor again.
5. What Exactly Is Included in the Quote?
Get a line-item breakdown, not just a total number. The quote should list old siding removal, weather barrier, panels, trim, accessories, labor, permits, cleanup, and disposal separately. If it is a single number with no breakdown, ask for details.
6. What Happens If You Find Damage Behind the Old Siding?
This is the question most homeowners forget to ask. Get the contractor to state their approach for sheathing repair in writing. A good contractor will explain this possibility upfront and have a fair process for handling it.
7. What Warranty Do You Offer on Labor?
The siding manufacturer provides a product warranty. The contractor should provide a separate workmanship warranty covering installation defects. Look for at least 5 years of labor warranty. Some quality contractors offer 10 years or more.
8. How Long Will This Project Take?
Get a realistic start date and completion estimate in writing. Factor in weather delays. Ask what happens if the project runs longer than expected. Good contractors communicate proactively about timeline changes.
9. What Is Your Payment Schedule?
Never pay more than 30 percent upfront. A typical payment schedule is one-third at contract signing, one-third at the midpoint, and one-third upon completion. Any contractor who wants full payment before starting is a risk.
10. What Is Your Process If I Am Not Happy With the Work?
Every good contractor has a process for handling customer concerns. Ask how they deal with issues that come up during or after the project. The answer tells you a lot about how they run their business. If they get defensive or dismissive, that is how they will respond when you have a real problem.
