Choosing a home exterior contractor comes down to a few checks: ask people you trust, confirm the company has done your type of project many times, compare complete written quotes, and favor an established local business you can actually find. New windows, doors, railings or awnings can improve curb appeal, energy efficiency and property value, so it is worth doing the research before you sign anything.
Ask People You Trust for Recommendations
The best way to learn about the quality of a contractor’s work and its customer service is to talk to people who have hired the company. Family, friends, neighbors and coworkers are valuable sources. Let them know you are planning exterior work and ask who they used and whether they would hire that company again.
If you see a recent project you like in your neighborhood, ask the homeowner who did it. Most people are happy to share a good experience, and quick to warn you about a bad one.
Find a Home Exterior Contractor With the Right Experience
Plenty of local businesses offer home improvement services, but they are not all equally qualified for every job. One company may have installed thousands of windows and very few railings. Another may specialize in awnings.
Look for a contractor that has handled a significant number of projects like yours. If you are replacing windows, ask how many vinyl replacement windows the company installs. If you want shade over a deck, ask to see retractable awnings it has installed. A photo gallery of finished work tells you a lot.
Look for a well-established local business
A new company can do good work, but it has no track record to check. A company that has been around for decades has generally served its customers well, or it would not still be in business.
Location matters too. Some contractors can only be reached by a phone number, which makes them hard to track down if you have a question or a problem later. A company with a long-standing presence in your community and a physical address nearby gives you somewhere to go.
Compare Quotes Carefully
Once you have narrowed the field, request estimates from a handful of contractors. Describe the work the same way to each one so every quote covers the same materials and labor.
Go through each quote line by line and make sure it covers the full scope of the project. Some contractors leave out materials or services to keep the number low and win the job, then add charges later, and the total climbs.
Do not focus only on price
Cost is important, but it should not be the deciding factor. A price far below the others may mean the estimate is incomplete or the workmanship is poor. Ask what products will be used, who will do the installation and what happens if something goes wrong afterward.
Check Reviews, References and Complaints
Websites where past customers post reviews give you honest, unfiltered feedback. Read a range of them, not only the best and the worst, and look at how the company responds.
The Better Business Bureau’s website shows how many complaints have been filed against a company and whether they were resolved. Any business receives a few complaints. A large number about poor installation, mistakes that created safety hazards or failure to honor a contract should be a red flag.
Ask each contractor for references and contact them. You can also read a company’s own customer testimonials to see what kinds of projects it is known for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quotes should I get for an exterior project?
A handful is enough for most projects. What matters is that each one is based on the same scope of work so you can compare them fairly.
What should a contractor’s quote include?
It should list the products and materials, the labor, removal and disposal of the old materials if that applies, and the total price. If something you discussed is missing, ask for it to be added in writing.
Is the lowest bid a bad sign?
Not always, but a bid much lower than the rest deserves questions. Find out what is different about it before you accept.
Talk to Aladdin About Your Project
Aladdin Inc has served communities across Connecticut since 1949 from its home in Wallingford. If you want to replace your windows or front door, add railings or install an awning, call (203) 776-9996 or contact us for an estimate and compare us with anyone else on your list.