For homeowners who are considering beginning an exterior siding remodeling project, finding a high-quality siding contractor is one of the most critical aspects of the project’s success. We’re going to look at some of the most essential qualities of a good contractor, and how those qualities can help ensure a smooth, professional installation process that meets manufacturer requirements.

What are the Qualities of a Good Siding Contractor?

When you’re getting ready to start looking for a good siding contractor, you’re going to need to evaluate several conditions before finally making a decision. Remember, this is going to be someone working on the primary line of defense for your home against the elements. Here are 5 of the biggest factors you should look at.

Creating A Detailed Proposal

A detailed proposal is one of the biggest indicators of a siding contractor’s commitment to professionalism and quality results. It should include a written description of the work to be performed, the product manufacturers and colors selected to be installed, and easy to understand contract language. A solid proposal will help to eliminate many potential disputes later on.

Educated on the Best Siding Materials

You may not be able to investigate this factor until you pick your material, but your contractor should be intimately familiar with the siding material that you decide on. Whether you select vinyl, James Hardie fiber cement, or LP SmartSide, your contractor should be able to demonstrate their expertise with the material and provide you with the pros and cons of each. This will ultimately help ensure that it can be installed properly and without making an abundance of mistakes, while also helping you to make the best decision for your goals and budget.

They Set Appropriate Expectations

Any good siding contractor will take the time and make the effort to set appropriate expectations with their clients. They should set expectations regarding the project’s anticipated direction, forecasted or potential problems, and the costs of the project. Experienced siding sales people should be knowledgeable and able to explain the installation process step-by-step.

Warranty Knowledge

Understanding the warranty options that are available for your siding project can have a significant effect on the product you ultimately choose. Any contractor that isn’t familiar with their products’ warranties will generally tell you it will “last forever” or something similar, but nothing lasts forever, which is important to remember when choosing products based on warranty coverage.

Excellent Communication

Communication is essential in any home improvement project, and a good siding company will help keep you informed through every step of the process. There will be times when you have questions about your project, or simply want an update on the day’s process, and your contractor should be ready to help keep you updated. Good siding companies will notify you immediately of issues and let you know the proposed solution as well.

Let CoMo Premium Exteriors Show You An Excellent Siding Contractor

CoMo Premium Exteriors has an entire team of highly-experienced, skilled siding professionals that put the customer’s satisfaction first. We’ll make sure you have a detailed, transparent proposal, and help you determine what siding options are ideal for your home.

Experience the difference in working with an exceptional siding contractor, and let CoMo Premium Exteriors show you how our team can put the highest industry standards to work on your project. Reach out to CoMo for more information, or to get started by making an appointment for an estimate from the leading siding contractor in Columbia, Jefferson City, and surrounding areas

Let’s talk about siding replacement cost figures. When it’s time to re-side your home, you’ll want to create a budget because a reliable envelope of siding is never cheap. CoMo Premium Exteriors can help you explore financing options and identify ways to get the most out of your investment into whichever siding material you select.

Siding Replacement Cost Depends on Material Selection

Options include aluminum siding, stone siding, and engineered wood siding. Like all exterior remodeling projects, the average replacement cost of siding depends on the goals and preferences of the homeowner. One big question to ask yourself is whether you intend to stay in a house for a while or sell it in 5 years. If someone buys a home, has a large family, and intends to remain there for over 5 years, they might want to pursue something durable like fiber cement siding or LP Siding.

Granted, those are a bit more expensive, so if you think you’re going to sell the house soon, you might want to go after vinyl siding instead. It still works pretty well, tends to be cost effective, has plenty of manufacturer warranties, and comes in several colors.

Other considerations that will determine the cost of siding replacement include the existing siding and whether it involves cost to replace asbestos siding or simply cost to repair siding. Cost to replace asbestos siding can be higher in old homes due to EPA regulations. Homes with water leaking issues may have rotted decking behind their siding that needs replaced. There are all types of situations and scenarios, so be sure you are dealing with a reputable and knowledgeable company to get accurate pricing.

Major Advantages to James Hardie Siding

Although it is more expensive than vinyl, from a value standpoint it is hard to beat James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding and LP SmartSide Wood Siding. We have lots of good things to say about both these products because they’re a solid long-term investment. While CoMo Premium Exteriors installs both, a lot of people are interested in James Hardie. Below is some information on this excellent product.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 benefits of choosing James Hardie Siding for your home.

1. Your problems with pests, woodpeckers, and termites will be a thing of the past. Critters can’t chew through fiber cement material.
2. It adds substantial curb appeal with dozens of color schemes that match your roof shingles and other exterior features.
3. James Hardie makes the most energy-efficient siding, and for those considering other options, the average cost to reside a house with materials like aluminum siding or engineered wood siding can vary.
4. It’s low maintenance and you can expect at least two solid decades of protection.

We should also mention that durability also refers to fire resistance, something you won’t get with vinyl. If you’re leaning toward James Hardie Siding for your home, just make sure you hire certified James Hardie Siding contractors since this isn’t the easiest product to hang and it takes a team well versed in installation specifications. As usual, CoMo Premium Exteriors is at your service for this premium material.

When You Might Prefer Vinyl Instead

Nevertheless, vinyl siding is still a great choice for many homeowners, and manufacturers have made substantial improvements to make it more durable and fade resistant. Although most customers prefer the aesthetic appeal of other siding materials, vinyl still has plenty of color and style potential for those on a tighter budget or who may plan to move in 5 years.

The chief complaint against vinyl siding is that it doesn’t add much home value and it can fade over time. In addition, Vinyl siding is more prone to getting cracked or damaged, but considering the cost to replace siding, it can be a more economical choice for those needing siding repair. As long as you know what to expect, then these problems don’t need to blind-side you, though. Vinyl is by far the easiest and fastest to install, so that means the project doesn’t take as long. While vinyl is the most cost-effective siding option, there are many brands and quality levels when it comes to vinyl siding. Ensuring you select a vinyl siding brand that produces a quality product is very important.

Call CoMo Premium Exteriors for Detailed Siding Replacement Cost Estimates

Finally, the average cost for replacement siding depends on the size and complexity of your home. Since manufacturers price their siding boards in dollars-per-square-feet, you can expect a large home to incur a heftier bill than a small country bungalow.

In any event, we’re at your service for any siding job regardless of home size, and have a team of technicians that can put together any type of exterior remodeling solution you need. We can vouch for that by pointing to our long list of testimonials from previous home siding clients who enjoy our dedicated craftsmanship.

You can reach us anytime for a free estimate to see where your house compares to the average siding replacement cost figures in Missouri.

CoMo Premium Exteriors is here to show you the best ways to maintain home siding and keep things intact for decades. Good siding installation should minimize the need for hours of maintenance, but there are a few upkeep habits that’ll allow you to get the most out of your investment.

Best Ways to Maintain Home Siding

How much should you do to maintain your home’s siding?

It depends on what kind of siding you have. If you have James Hardie fiber cement or LP wood siding, you can paint them, but it’s only necessary after their long warranty periods. The major draw for those brands is the relatively easy maintenance because the paint doesn’t fade as fast as it would with vinyl.

One common upkeep concern that many people overlook with brands like James Hardie or LP is ensuring the caulk does not need re-done. Over time caulk will pull back in certain places or just wear out. It is a good idea each year to inspect your siding and look for areas that need re-caulked or where you may have experienced damage from a tree or some collision. Any such areas should be addressed to ensure water is not getting behind the siding or in areas where it should not be.

Lastly, it is always a good idea to make sure you don’t see any boards popping off the walls. It is common to see maybe one or two pop a little over time, but if you have lots of that happening then you should have an experienced siding company like CoMo Premium Exteriors inspect the work to ensure it is installed correctly.

What About Vinyl Material?

Vinyl siding is also maintenance free for the most part. Most people find that vinyl will fade over time or get holes from lawnmowers, weed wackers, or the occasional baseball. It is important to replace boards with damage that is up high to ensure water does not get back behind the vinyl siding. If you have issues with your For vinyl siding growing algae or mold you can do a soft wash or even some power washing to address these concerns. Just be careful that the water pressure is not so high it damages the siding.

Inspect Your Siding Often

Regardless of which style you have on your home, you should inspect your siding at least annually, but preferably every six months.

If you own wood siding, you’ll need to do this most often to check for termites, wood rot, and other moisture-driven problems. Steel siding is very low maintenance, but you’ll want to check for scratches and power wash it occasionally.

More on James Hardie Maintenance

Since James Hardie Siding is a popular feature among Missouri homes, we thought it might help to delve a little more into its specific maintenance considerations. Here are a few other helpful suggestions for maintaining this popular fiber cement siding:

• When you’re ready to replace the caulk, be careful about which variety you select.
• Try to prune or reposition your landscaping to avoid constant contact with the siding. While it’s a very durable material, even the best siding will damage prematurely if you expose it to constant friction.

If you’d like to learn more on this topic, please read our earlier post on James Hardie maintenance.

CoMo Premium Exteriors: Helping you Maintain Home Siding with Exemplary Installation

As we said, if you can trust your siding contractor to do a good job up front, then homeowner maintenance will be a breeze. That’s where we shine the best with our dedicated and certified installation technicians.

We are the only contractor in Mid-Missouri designated as Elite Preferred status with the James Hardie for installing fiber cement siding. We’re also adept at hanging vinyl, wood, LP Smart Siding, or any other material. Our reputation extends even further with over 200 positive evaluations on Google Reviews, and an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Contact us anytime to learn all the important ways to maintain home siding in Columbia, MO.

One of the biggest reasons residents in Missouri are in need of external home repairs is storm damage. But sometimes, homeowners are just ready to improve the look and value of their home with new siding, windows, or doors. Whether your home has normal wear and tear that happens over time or your home has damage from recent storms, CoMo Premium Exteriors can handle the job.

Key Points To Consider When Hiring a Siding Company

When it comes to hiring a company to replace your home’s siding, there are some important factors to take into account before making the commitment to sign a contract. Think about:

• Experience is crucial, as you want to know that the company has handled enough siding jobs to truly know what they’re doing, such as knowing the manufacturer’s installation requirements and local codes
• Reputation and experience from prior customers can show the quality of care and service a company has to offer; you want to hire someone that is able to prove they have a solid track record of caring for their customers
• Transparency within the estimate is going to be essential when working with a Jefferson City siding company, and those that attempt to play pricing games or who do not fully explain the process of installation are likely not going to be able to maintain a truthful business relationship with you
• Always make sure that the contract they create for you is detailed enough that you can understand their process and what you can expect during a siding installation
• The best local siding companies will offer competitive financing options so that you aren’t choosing between protecting your home and paying for your necessities
• Make sure the company that you work with has a written warranty and lien waiver to ensure you are protected down the road should an issue arise.

Why It’s Important To Use A Licensed And Insured Jefferson City Siding Company

You might think it’s common sense that anyone installing roofing or siding in the Jeff City area be licensed and insured, you may be surprised at how many people will pretend to be professional roofers after a big storm just to make a few quick bucks. If they aren’t licensed and insured, you open yourself up to significant legal liability should someone be hurt on the job site. The best Jeff City roofing and siding installers are companies that can give you a copy of their insurance for both worker’s compensation and general liability, as well as provide you with their business license, local office address, and hundreds of great online reviews.

While no company should represent themselves as licensed when they aren’t, many people simply don’t think to ask when working with a roofer or siding company. This lack of a license means that they may not be able to get the appropriate permits needed to work on your home and they may not be familiar with local codes.

An even worse situation can happen if your contractor doesn’t carry the appropriate levels of liability and workman’s compensation insurance coverage. If they aren’t insured and one of their employees is injured, the homeowner or their insurer may be on the hook for the damages that result from the accident. This may also happen if there were some other sorts of accident that the contractor would have been liable for, but may fall on the homeowner if there is no insurance coverage for the incident.

CoMo Exteriors Will Make Sure Your Concerns Are Heard

Whether you are dealing with storm damage or simply getting your annual roof inspection, CoMo Premium Exteriors will make sure that you have all the information you need to make an educated decision about your property. Working with an experienced Jefferson City siding company is vital to making sure your job gets done right, and that as much of it is covered by insurance as possible.