If you need your home siding repaired, or you need your entire house or garage sided? We’ve got you covered. No project is too big or small.
While we generally only handle small siding jobs, such as repairs or small sections, we figured we’d provide a little value to any one who is considering a larger siding job. With that, here are some considerations for siding your entire home:
There’s nothing like slapping a new coat of paint on a home to improve its aesthetics, and if you’ve ever watched those design shows on cable then you know this is exactly what they do almost anytime they “fix up” a room. Unfortunately, doing this to the outside of your home isn’t very practical – it costs a lot of money and takes a ton of time, and that’s if the weather holds. So, more than likely if you’re on this page, when it comes to revamping the outside of your house you’re going with new siding.
Siding isn’t just good for making your home look great and adding curb appeal. It can also save you money on your energy bill, and if you used certain approved materials – those being insulated siding – then you can get a tax credit for a percentage of what it costs you to improve your house. Siding also acts as a great insulator to your home, which will keep your home warmer during those cold Wisconsin winters, and cooler during our hot & muggy summers.
Vinyl siding doesn’t have the benefit of energy savings or tax credits, but it is cheaper and looks great. Paint chips and fades, and honestly, so does vinyl siding but at a much lower rate. A home can have the same siding for twenty years, and as long as it’s washed occasionally, its color and integrity will hold. You simply can’t say the same thing for paint.
The real question when it comes to siding (after you’ve decided what kind to get) is, “Should I do it myself, or should I get a contractor to install it for me?” This depends on a couple of things, the two most prevalent being: 1) How much time do I have to commit to a project?, and 2) How handy am I around the house? Know going into this that you’re not going to get it done over the weekend. Experienced contractors can take days to replace siding and that’s weather permitting.
Also, keep in mind that tearing old siding off isn’t as simple as just removing the old siding. You have to be knowledgeable enough to repair damaged sections of the exterior. You will also be responsible for removing the old siding once it’s torn off and if you can’t do this yourself it’s going to cost you. Below is a list of the pros and cons of DIY siding:
Pros of DIY Siding. You don’t have to replace all the siding – it’s easy to replace damaged sections or touch up nicks and blemishes. It’s cost efficient. You can complete it on your schedule. If something comes up and you need to go out of town, no problem. It’s easier to customize the look you want as your go. That is, if you change your mind about style at any point, it’s no big deal. The self-satisfaction of having done something on your own. The last point may seem like it’s pandering, but it’s not. There’s certainly something to be said for fixing-up your place on your own, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. At Done Right Works, we love that feeling of accomplishment after completing a big project and making a home look great!
Cons of doine it yourself. You don’t have the know how to get the job done. If you’re not already well outfitted, there’s going to be some expense in getting all the tools you need to effectively get the job done. All of the material expense is going to be on you, as well as the transportation of that material and any existing material you need to dispose of. You have to figure out the building codes yourself. You may find more damage to your house after you begin.If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s easy to make a mistake and those mistakes can be costly and time consuming to fix.
You can eliminate a lot of the above concerns by hiring a contractor like us. It’s not really worth going into how you should go about hiring a contractor: If you’re reading this article, then you know how to use the internet and that means you probably know how to search for contractors in your area. What is a good thing to remember is that after you get bids, don’t necessarily go with the cheapest one. McDonald’s is cheap but it’s not good for you… Instead pick a contractor that appears professional and that you feel like you can trust. Remember, they’re going to be working on your home, so don’t automatically try to cut corners. Here are some pros and cons of hiring a contractor:
Pros of a Siding Contractor
Professional contractors are insured, bonded, and licensed.
You’ve got a signed contract if something goes wrong.
They know what they’re doing and they do it for a living.
They take care of everything from demolition to cleanup.
You’ll get to decide on a budget you’re comfortable with, that way if something unexpected comes up, you’re covered.
You’ll get a warranty.
You don’t have to worry about any of the equipment or tools.
All permits and building codes will be taken care of.
Or if you don’t want to deal with all that, give us a call and we’ll get your siding project done right!