5 Questions to Ask a Potential Siding and Windows Contractor

If you’re looking for a contractor to update the siding or windows on your home in the Kansas City area (or really anywhere), it can be a daunting proposition. You want to make sure you’ve properly vetted the company and can trust them to do quality work on your home for a fair price. There’s no one way to guarantee you’re going to love working with a company, but there are a few steps you can take to do your due diligence.

Even if you get a referral from a trusted friend, it’s important to ask your potential siding and windows contractor questions about what services they provide, what you want for your home, and their work process. We recommend asking as many questions as you need to feel comfortable, but here are five questions to get you started (and our own answers to the questions).

Always check to make sure that you are going to work with a company that has proper coverage. This is a way to protect you and your property in addition to ensuring that crews are also properly protected. If someone is hurt or property is damaged while the project is going on, insurance will cover those issues and prevent you the headache of having to cover it through your own homeowner’s insurance or see your premiums increase.

Licensed contractors can pull the proper permits from the city and avoid issues like the project getting delayed or abandoned. All this proof is on record, so if you’re unsure, ask to see a copy of the certifications.

You’ll see recommendations from online checklists to make sure the company is covered for both General Liability and Workers’ Comp. We are covered for both!

Kansas City Siding and Windows is licensed and insured to work in the greater Kansas City area in cities on both sides of the state line. Whether you live in Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, or elsewhere, we’ve got you covered.

We pair these questions together because if a company boasts a long-term warranty, you want to make sure that they will be around in the future to honor it should the need arise!

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about half of construction companies make it past the first five years. Look around for companies with an established reputation that have good reviews from people who live in your area. This will help you know that they do good work and that they won’t disappear on you two years down the line.

KC Siding and Windows has been a local, family-owned business for more than 40 years, so when we say we offer a lifetime labor warranty, we really mean it! Doing good work at a fair price is what keeps us going year after year. Not to mention, we use materials from reputable manufacturers who also provide strong warranties, further protecting your purchase and installation.

Depending on the size and type of contractor you’re working with, your point of contact can vary at different stages or on a day-to-day basis. Some larger contractors might have you call a general service number where you get a different person on the phone each time you call. Some contractors might assign you a specific person to help with your case.

The same can be true of who is working on and supervising your project. Project supervisors might not be consistent throughout the life of the project. It just depends on how business is done. Be sure to clarify what this looks like and who you will be speaking to, and determine what’s important to you in terms of what that chain of contact looks like!

When you sign on with us, we will assign you a dedicated project manager for your home who is onsite daily throughout the life of the project. They will reach out to you with regular updates. And if you need to reach out, you will be given the number of your project manager and anyone else you need to be able to get in touch with directly. We find that this makes the process more seamless for everyone involved.

Your contractor should give you a detailed look at each step of the process upfront so you know timing and what to expect at each stage. After you sign the contract, when are your windows or siding being ordered, how long do they take to come in, when will your project start? How often will the team be in touch and how long will your specific project take?

These are all questions and parts of the process that should be discussed ahead of time to avoid any surprises.

All our projects go through a standard process that is adjusted to meet the needs of your home. We keep lines of communication open for scheduling and questions, and we will always keep you updated on the status of your work both before the project starts and continually while it’s going on.

The team working on your home will be dedicated to your project throughout the process as well. Our experienced installer teams work directly for us and will be onsite until your project is completed. At completion, your dedicated project manager will conduct a final walkthrough with you to ensure all the work was completed as promised.

Each contractor and company will offer different payment plans and options. The possibilities are practically endless. Make sure to ask about the terms that are on offer to find the approach that works best for you. Whether you are looking to pay outright or are looking for financing options, there should be a number of solutions available that can help you get your project started. If you talk to a contractor who can’t provide exactly what you need in terms of payment, it’s always worth reaching out to someone else and seeing if they can.

Most homeowners make a down payment on signing the contract, and once the project is complete, they either pay the remaining amount or begin making payments toward their financing plan. We do not expect full payment up front and can discuss what works as an initial deposit at the time of signing.

We know that the financial part of a project can be tricky and are happy to talk through all the options available. We provide multiple payment options including financing options, so don’t be afraid to ask!

There are more questions you can ask siding and windows contractors before getting your project started, and you should feel free to ask as many as you need. What matters is that the contractor can answer the questions you ask honestly. If you feel like someone is trying to avoid your questions or they refuse to answer any, then finding someone else who makes you feel comfortable and informed is always a great option.

Finding someone who does work you like is also a part of the process. If you’d like to see some of our projects, you can take a look at our gallery page for siding and windows work we’ve done or see our Facebook or Instagram for examples of recent work!

If you’re ready to start reaching out to contractors and asking all these questions, consider giving us a call! Or fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to you to set up your free in-home consultation.