Finding a reputable siding company in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island can be a challenge for homeowners. Whether you are searching for custom vinyl siding, cedar shingle and clapboard siding, fabricated aluminum trim, PVC trim, or composite siding, a professional contractor should be an established member of their industry. These homeowner tips will be a helpful guide to finding a reliable siding company. Here’s what to look for:
Established Business
Reputation and reliability should be at the heart of your search for a siding contractor. The average small business lasts only 5 years. Sadly, many homeowners have been disappointed and deceived by working with an upstart siding “contractor” who operates out of their garage or pickup truck. These inexperienced companies often lack the business skills and financial stability to provide reliable, continuous service. Whether it’s the handiwork of Mother Nature, defective products, or failed craftsmanship, it’s critical to work with a contractor who can stand behind their work and service any potential problems decades after the project is complete.
Proper Insurance and Licenses
It is absolutely necessary for a contractor to have worker’s compensation insurance, a minimum of $1Million for liability insurance, and all necessary licenses required by the states in which they operate. This protects homeowners from being held responsible for injuries to siding installers or property damage that could potentially occur while the job is in progress. In states like Massachusetts, it also protects homeowners from delinquent contractors. Massachusetts homeowners are protected by the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund BUT they must hire a fully licensed, insured, and registered contractor to be eligible. If qualified, Massachusetts homeowners can receive up to $10,000 for unpaid judgments against contractors.
Customer Referrals and Reviews
Family and friends are one of your most reliable sources of information when it comes to contractors. Who did they hire for home improvements? How was their
experience? Would they hire the contractor again and recommend them to others? We’re honored to have repeat customers and customer referrals as our number source of business each year. In fact – over half of our business every year is from our loyal customers, their neighbors, friends, and family! Our customers keep coming back for more year after year.
If you don’t know someone who has hired a siding contractor – explore customer reviews online. Platforms such as Google, Facebook, Houzz, Yelp, and Angie’s List are free and readily available for all to see. Read the negative reviews and see how the company responds – this will reveal their customer service style and problem solving skills. Many Care Free customers find us on their hometown Facebook pages. Ask for contractor recommendations from neighbors and fellow residents by posting a question on a Facebook page or group. Most people will gladly offer their recommendations and share their personal experiences.
Certifications from Siding Manufacturers & Product Warranties
Siding companies should have a strong relationship with siding manufacturers such as CertainTeed, Mastic, SBC Cedar, Maibec and more. These brands are leaders in their respective industries and often provide contractor certification programs to ensure professionals are up to date with industry knowledge and product installation techniques. We are proud to be a CertainTeed 5 Star Siding Contractor, a Mastic Elite Contractor, and a Certified Installer of the Vinyl Siding Institute. All require contractors to meet very high expectations, follow specific guidelines, and complete training before they award any certifications.
Professional siding companies will always back their workmanship and offer a product warranty. Our family stands behind every project with professional product warranties plus our own 10 year workmanship guarantee. Although specific warranty details vary from product to product, we are proud to offer CertainTeed‘s Limited Lifetime Warranty, Mastic’s V.I.P. Limited Lifetime Warranty, and the various SBC and Maibec product warranties. Our customers have peace of mind thanks to our enhanced product warranties, workmanship guarantee, and long list of certifications and awards.
Accredited Membership and Good Standing with the Better Business Bureau
For over 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. The Better Business Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization focused on advancing marketplace trust and millions of consumers use the BBB’s database absolutely free. As an accredited member of the BBB, our business must abide by the following standards: Build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy, and embody integrity. Here at Care Free Homes we have been an A+ rated, Accredited Member of the BBB for almost 30 years.
Always Sign a Contract, NO Deposits, Contractor Pulls the Permit
Homeowners should always protect themselves with a signed, legal contract. Typically a contract will include all the homeowner information, address, scope of the project, type of materials, total price of the project, payment schedules, estimated start and completion dates, signatures, and a 3 day cancellation clause. Be sure to
familiarize yourself with your state’s contract requirements.
Homeowners should be wary of a siding company that requests large deposits. This is a red flag and may indicate financial instability. It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to lose thousands of dollars by working with an unreliable, dishonest roofing contractor. In the state of Massachusetts, deposits paid prior to the start of the work start date cannot exceed one-third of the total contract price.
Legitimate contractors always pull the permit on behalf of the homeowner. This ensures the siding company is ultimately responsible for the project being completed safely, correctly, and is in compliance with local building codes. If a “contractor” asks a homeowner to pull the permit – DO NOT hire them. This is a major red flag that indicates the company is not properly licensed and/or insured.
Why should you join the Care Free family?
As an award-winning siding contractor and supporter of the community, our family business has proudly served the Cape Cod, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island homeowners for over 40 years. We have an extensive work portfolio, a commitment to excellence, and proven themselves to be a respected member of their community. We don’t ask for a single penny until your project is complete and offer affordable financing options to qualified homeowners. We specialize in custom vinyl siding, wood siding, fabricated aluminum trim, and PVC trim. Get started on your siding or home improvement project! Send us a text, complete our online form, or call (508) 997-1111 today! Make your house a Care Free home!
