The siding on your home can become worn down over time due to natural age or harsh weather. When the time comes to give the exterior of your home a face-lift and upgrade your siding, you’ll want to hire a siding contractor to ensure you get the best quality for your home. Replacing old unsightly siding can make your home more attractive and marketable. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a mid-range vinyl siding replacement on a home is $11,475 with a resale value of $8,975 or 78.2%. With this amount of money going into your siding project, it’s important that you have a reliable and knowledgeable professional working on your home. If you begin to notice that your contractor is acting out in inappropriate behavior or is breaking terms in your contract signed by the both of you, it may be time to let him or her go. Be cautious of warning signs hinting that your professional is performing unprofessionally.

Can you avoid firing?

Unless you have had professional experience with siding installation, it’s best to leave it up to a contractor. Putting siding on a house may not look that hard, but this is not a DIY job. Things like corners, eaves, soffits, fascia and working around openings like windows and doors can be very tricky.

Hire smart

When searching for a professional to hire for your siding project, do your homework first. Know the type of siding you want and what method of installation you wish to use. Choose a reputable, certified contractor by using Porch to research contractors in your area and get detailed information on the work they’ve completed. Seek estimates from three or four contractors to get a general idea of what your budget will be for your project. Also, be very explicit about the services you want. Make sure each of these items appears in the estimates of each contractor, otherwise you will not get a fair comparison.

Sign a contract

Once you have hired a contractor for your project, make sure to sign a contract with him or her. This will put all details and specifications of your siding replacement in the form of a legal written agreement. You will want to familiarize yourself with some of the siding contract basics, so that you have a general concept of what you’re getting into.

Warning signs

After you have started working with your hired professional, you may begin to notice a few red flags. If any of the following describes your siding contractor, it might be time to make a change. Be cautious of contractor’s who:

  • Miss checkpoint dates
  • Purchase wrong materials
  • Perform work that was not agreed upon
  • Fail to show up to work or is consistently late
  • Outsource the job or parts in conflict with the contract
  • Abuse drugs or alcohol on the work site
  • Become involved in theft of project materials, equipment, or your personal home items
  • Make excessive excuses or refuse to answer questions

While you can keep an eye out for warning signs and be aware of any unprofessional acts that you see, there are a few big factors that should impact your decision of firing your contractor. To make sure that your home is safe and that you are protected in the case of any mishaps or issues during the process of your siding replacement, it’s important to check your professional’s credentials. Know when to fire your contractor by the following factors:

Refuses to sign a contract – A contract serves as a legal agreement and a paper trail for your project. If your hired professional tells you that a contract isn’t necessary for your siding replacement, or refuses to sign one, this may mean he or she is attempting to scam or short you of work or money. Think twice before starting work with a professional who won’t sign a contract for your siding project.

No proof of accreditation – Hiring a contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured is crucial for larger home improvement projects. Credentials of a professional prove that he or she is experienced and reliable under legal conditions. If your contractor has no proof of any license or insurance, stop working with him or her as it could put you or your home at risk. Don’t hesitate to ask a contractor to see a copy of his or her credentials, as well as ask for references from previous work. Keep in mind that each state has different requirements for licensing, bonding and insurance – not every state is the same. On Porch, you can check which accreditations your professional has.

Ignores your budget and schedule – Your hired contractor should act as an employee of you as the homeowner. This means he or she should respect your project by following your designated budget and timeline. If your professional makes more expensive purchases than you requested or doesn’t show up on scheduled work days, this lack of consideration is means for termination. Ignoring your budget and schedule will set you back in your project and you may be better off completing it on your own or hiring an entirely new contractor.

Unprofessional behavior – Any behavior, such as foul language, alcohol and drug abuse, or failing to follow OSHA guidelines should not be tolerated. Any dangerous behavior should be acted on immediately by reporting it to your contractor’s supervisor or taking it further to legal matters. Don’t hesitate to end your partnership with your professional if this is the case.

Firing someone is never pleasant, but your siding contractor is working to benefit you and your home. Be bold about protecting your investment and make sure to only work with people you can trust. Avoid having to potentially fire your contractor by finding the best professional for your siding project on Porch.

Top Image Credit: Siemasko + Verbridge