Consider these tips for hiring a good siding contractor.
When looking for professional siding contractors specializing in all types of siding, homeowners should consider Dependable Construction.
Spring has arrived, and it’s time to start paying attention to the exterior of your home. Siding is starting to fade, pieces are cracked and broken, the wood is starting to rot. If this sounds like you, then you will need to start talking to siding contractors in your area. Once you have decided on the type of siding you want, take the time to interview several different companies who specialize in this type of siding.
Hiring the right team of professional siding contractors is crucial to your satisfaction with the job, and only intensive research will give you the confidence you need to move forward. Ultimately, you will want to hire a contractor who guarantees their work and offers repair and replacement services in addition to the installation. Look for a company like Dependable Construction that has been in business for many years and has a strong reputation in our area.
Here are some tips that you should consider when looking for a siding contractor:
- Start doing your research online. This can be much more informative than shopping the Yellow Pages because many professional siding contractors have detailed websites that showcase their work. Study each website thoroughly and make a note of their services and contact names.
- Ask your neighbors, friends and relatives for recommendations. A personal endorsement from a satisfied customer is worth much more than a contractor’s ad. You will still want to do your own research, but recommendations can shorten the process.
- Consider the pricing estimates you receive from each contractor and see how each of them compares to your budget. You may need to go higher than your budget if the contractor’s services are worth it, but don’t hesitate to ask for a discount.
- Most siding contractors will provide you with a written contract. This document should include the cost estimate, description of work to be done, payment schedules and a completion date. Be sure to read this contract carefully and ask questions about anything that is unclear.
- If necessary, the siding contractor you select should also remove the old siding. Make sure this is included in their contract and will not be considered an “extra.” Along these same lines, ask for details about how the contractor will clean up the area at the end of each work day.
If you don’t particularly like the look of vinyl, be sure to check out fiber cement siding. It has a more richer look, holds color better and it can dramatically increase the resale value of your home. Dependable Construction is one of the best known siding contractors in the Dayton area. In addition to vinyl siding and windows, they install James Hardie® cement siding.
When looking for professional siding contractor Dayton, OH residents should consider Dependable Construction for all their needs.
10) Questions to ask a replacement window installer.
Spring is in the air, and it’s time for homeowners to decide how to spend their annual tax refunds. If you are thinking about getting new windows this year, now is the time to contact a replacement window installer. Before setting up any appointments with window installers like Dependable Construction, it is important to pre-screen all contractors over the phone. It’s less time consuming and can eliminates the temptation to choose installers based solely on their salesmanship and high pressure sales. Asking a few simple questions first will ensure that the contractor really has the experience you need for the job.
As much as you might want to start firing away with questions as soon as you get a contractor on the phone, they will first need information from you. Be prepared to share some details about the project, such as the type of window you are looking to buy, the number of windows, your budget and timeline for the project. Only after they know the scope of your project can they answer your first round of questions. Keep in mind that as you speak with a replacement window installer like Dependable Construction on the phone, they will be trying to set up a home appointment to view the property and see what their dealing with. But remember, this is your fact finding mission and you don’t need to set an appointment to get answers to your questions.
The following is a list of questions to ask your replacement window installer during the first phone call. You may not need to ask every question on the list, but be sure to cover the first five or six listed below.
- How long have you been in the window installation business?
- What is your specific experience with vinyl window installations in my area?
- Is there a specific brand or type of window that frequently recommend? Why?
- What are your payment terms?
- How do you handle service issues after the installation is complete?
- How often are you on-site during the installation process?
- What is your standard procedure for finishing out a window’s interior of the windows after installation?
- How far in advance are your services usually booked?
- Do you offer free estimates?
- What kind of warranties do you offer on the installation of the window.
When you’ve completed this interview with a handful of prospective contractors, take a few minutes to compare the answers and you will discover which replacement window installers to call back for an appointment.
Are there advantages to vinyl siding?
When it comes to installing siding on your home, sometimes it’s difficult to determine whether or not you want to keep the working materials as real wood or if switching materials to vinyl would be a way to help the house with its longevity. It’s important to discuss the advantages of vinyl siding with a siding contractor like Dependable Construction to determine what type of siding will be best for your home and if the advantages of vinyl siding are advantages you’ll actually benefit from.
Vinyl siding is appealing to contractors like Dependable Construction because it installs quickly, is cheaper and doesn’t require paint, however vinyl isn’t watertight, the material can fluctuate with temperature changes and vinyl trim has to be pre-made so there are sometimes limitations when they’re installed. In fact, for both homeowners and contractors alike, deciding between vinyl siding and other building materials is one of the biggest battles and has been since vinyl siding was introduced to the market.
When it was first introduced in the early 1950s, vinyl siding wasn’t as durable and was easily damaged, but as time has continued both the production and installation of the material has improved. Vinyl siding is growing in popularity in the United States and it’s because there are some advantages to using it. It’s important to discuss the advantages of vinyl siding with a siding contractor like Dependable Construction to determine what type of siding will be best for your home.
What are the advantages of vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is an exterior siding for houses and building that is made from plastic. It’s often used in place of other siding materials such as brick, wood, aluminum and fiber cement. Although wood is more traditional and fiber cement is durable, Vinyl siding does have its own advantages. Along with its different looks and durability, it’s also safe to use, easy to install and maintain, sustainable for the environment, and best of all, it’s affordable.
It’s safe!
Vinyl is a safe material for you to use for your home. It complies with the National Fire Protection Association’s stringent requirements to insulate electrical and data transmission cables. If you use a siding that isn’t safe with certain cables it could cause a fire, so it’s important to ensure the product being installed is approved by the NFPA.
Vinyl is easy to install and maintain.
Whether you’re hiring a siding contractor like Dependable Construction or doing it yourself, vinyl siding is easy to install and maintain which makes it a good investment for yourself and for the contracted company installing the siding for you. It’s lightweight and can be installed over existing materials, which can help to save you labor costs from completely ripping off old siding and can allow you to revert back to the old siding if for any reason you decide you don’t like the vinyl.
After installation comes maintenance, and the advantage to using vinyl siding is that is doesn’t need to be painted, which makes maintenance minimal. Typically vinyl siding doesn’t have issues with rotting or cracking and it’s easy to wash with soap and water just a few times a year, if not once a year. Washing the siding of a house can be a big job and some materials require special cleaners, so vinyl siding can save you both time and money with its easy upkeep.
It lasts.
Do you ever buy something for what you think is a great price only to realize that there was a reason it was so cheap? With vinyl, it may be affordable but durability isn’t a problem. It can withstand heat, cold, wind and rain. As you know Ohio’s weather changes with a blink of an eye. Summers are hot, winters are cold and wet, and there’s often rain during the spring and summer. Having a vinyl siding that will keep its beautiful appearance and continue to perform is important. Often times, products will also have a lifetime warranty so if for some reason your vinyl siding does have damage, it will be taken care of.
You can get the look you want for your home.
A lot of times when it comes time to re-side a home, one of the most important things a homeowner thinks about is how the siding will look on the house. This doesn’t just mean the color or shape of the siding, but also the texture and even the trim. With vinyl siding, there is a huge selection of colors for a homeowner to pick from and match their house with. There’s also a diverse selection of architectural accents and textures. Vinyl siding is made to look like wood, stone and slate which makes using vinyl siding possible for people who are interested in keeping a more traditional look for their home.
There are also designs for vinyl siding to help the home keep its authenticity. If the home is a Victorian style house, it doesn’t make sense to use modern fixtures. Vinyl siding is available to fit any home style so that homeowners can keep their curb appeal but still get the other added benefits of vinyl siding.
Help the environment.
Going green is a hot topic right now and with vinyl siding, its sustainability is a big advantage. As a whole, vinyl siding tends to be environmentally friendlier because it outperforms other siding options meaning it won’t have to be thrown away. It also is a great way to insulate a house, which can make a home more energy efficient. Energy efficient homes are better for the environment because they reduce the use of heat, electricity and gas. Plus it can help lower your utility costs.
It isn’t overpriced.
When it comes to home improvements, they can get costly and sometimes there isn’t a huge return on investment. One of the best benefits of vinyl siding is that it is low-cost to install and has the lowest cost during its life cycle. That means it is cheaper to clean and repair vinyl than it is to do the same for other siding materials. It also has a good return on investment when it comes time to sell the house.
There are many different materials a homeowner has to choose from when it comes time to reside a home. Be sure to discuss the options available to you with a siding contractor like Dependable Construction. We can walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of certain materials as well as show you what you can afford at your price point. It’s important to consult a professional first even if you plan to DIY so you can get the best bang for your buck.
Benefit of James Hardie Siding
Is it time for replacement windows already?
Deciding where to put windows or and what type of lights you’ll use in a house or building can be a very complicated process. Factors Dependable Construction would like you to consider.
Deciding where to put windows or and what type of lights you’ll use in a building or house can be a complicated process. Factors one should consider can include the view outside, how much lighting is necessary, and any glares that could be on screens like a television or computer.
Although adding in extra windows takes much planning, natural light is a great way to add personality to any space. Natural light helps play a big role in creating a comfortable and enjoyable spaces in a home.
When building a new home or contemplating adding in a window to an older house, here are some benefits of adding natural light rather than using only artificial light.
Fresher air
Windows help to improve a home or office by keeping the area feeling fresh. Being able to open a window can give people a sense of relaxation. The real benefit is that the natural light prevents most causes of stale smells that are associated with dark areas. Windows help keep a home free of mold or bacteria that can cause smells, as well as health problems like breathing issues, which leaves a home smelling fresh and clean.
Space perception
The space in an area can be perceived and changed based on lighting. Architects often use lighting to make smaller areas seem larger. Artificial light doesn’t make a space feel as big and can sometimes make a person start to feel closed in an claustrophobic.
Improves sleep patterns
Natural light has an impact on the bodies’ chemical production. Sunlight turns the production of melatonin off, a hormone produced at night, making you sleepy. The sleep hormone begins to produce with less direct sunlight. So, throughout the day the natural sunlight will keep you awake and alert and as rooms darken your melatonin will start to produce. If your bedroom has large windows, when sun begins to come up in the morning, you’ll slowly stop producing melatonin and be able to wake up more quickly.
Reduces stress & pain
Bright rooms with many or large windows help patients to feel less stress and to need less pain medication. The brightness improves mood, makeing stressful situations feel less dire.
Comfort
Areas that have natural lighting usually feel more comfortable than areas that use overhead lighting or lamps. Relying on natural light during the daytime can help relieve feelings of discomfort or anxiety, so adding windows allows for keeping artificial light usage to a bare minimum.
Reduces migraines
Migraines are often triggered or worsened by bright lights or artificial lighting. Sunlight through a window isn’t as glaring as an overhead artificial light, which can help a migraine patient from getting migraines as often. Experimenting with using natural light can be a way for patients to save money by not needing medication as often.
Eyestrain
Do you ever find yourself squinting at a computer screen or television? Proper natural lighting during the day can help keep that from happening. Natural daylight can prevent eyestrain and help to increase concentration on a specific task. There are some things to be aware of when installing windows where there will be monitors: glares can cause more of a problem than artificial light, however a good window installation company like Dependable Construction will help to evaluate your space and decide the right place to put a window for your work and your health!
More energy
As with sleeping, sunlight will also help energy levels. By having natural light fill an office or home during the day, melatonin won’t be produced and you’ll be more alert and less likely to feel drowsy. The light can help to keep steady energy and at the end of work you won’t feel as drained.
Energy efficiency
Saving money is important to most people, and although windows cost money to be installed, they can quickly prove themselves as a money-saving investment by lowering energy costs. Natural light means people don’t need to turn the lights on as much, which saves energy. Electricity and maintenance of the electricity isn’t necessary as often if the lights aren’t used constantly.
Truer colors
When photos or artwork is naturally lit, it usually looks much more appealing and the colors look deeper. The same goes for rooms in a house – when a room is naturally lit, the colors of furniture, the paint on the wall, artwork or even rugs on the floor all look more charming and pleasing to the eye. Adding windows keeps a room from the harsh glare of light bulbs.
Windows are stylish
Natural lighting from a window doesn’t have to be boring. If your concern is creating a space that not only feels comfortable and bright, but also is unique and trendy, a window can be the way to go.
The natural lighting coming through stained glass can be beautiful, and in the evening, a skylight can lend to a romantic and posh feel. Rooms with floor to ceiling windows can make a room feel like it’s outside because of the extra sunshine.
Helps prevent depression
Vitamin D is an important way a person can help to keep him or herself in a good mood. This vitamin is absorbed through the skin from sunlight, and the more sunlight a person is exposed to, the better moods and less symptoms of depression they’ll have. It’s a pretty well-known fact that during the winter many people summer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because of a lower level of serotonin. Having windows that allow in extra natural light gives people a way to get vitamin D during the winter without having to actually be outside in the cold.
Natural lighting from windows and skylights can be extremely helpful for a person’s health and attitude, and can even update a room from sad and bland to happy and energizing.
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