9 Reasons to Hire a Vinyl Siding Professional

Your curb appeal lives and breathes by the stylishness of your siding, but this oft-underestimated feature has other roles, too. Vinyl siding protects your foundation and interior from bitter winters. It also gives your HVAC system a much-needed hand up, so think carefully before you put on your handyman belt. This is one housing feature you should take seriously. Here’s why.

A bad siding installation can cost you in resale value

Vinyl siding can add to your home’s value, but if it’s badly installed, it can also annihilate your resale profits. The Cost vs. Value Report consistently ranks it as one of the top 10 ways to improve your property value. You’ll recoup between 87.4 and 78.2% of your installation costs, but only if your installation and product choices are exceptional. New vinyl siding has an average return on investment of 80%, but that number will rise and fall in tandem with your DIY skills. A neglected look won’t just hurt your property value. It will destroy it, and make no mistake, this is no easy task for a handyman.

Inexperienced installations are expensive

Siding installation requires experience, skill, and manpower. Inexperienced DIY fans can expect to make a hundred mistakes for every ounce of success they enjoy. Working around soffits, fascia, and eaves is hard enough, but trimming window openings and doors requires real skill. To handle this job, you’ll need a deep understanding of siding systems and their purpose. You can’t handle sheathing or frieze board well unless you know how they function. You’ll also need a working knowledge of installation methods if you’re to remove your old siding without damaging your home. It takes more than a handyman’s belt to handle it. You will almost certainly need to restock your shed.

Siding installation is slow work

Experienced DIY enthusiasts might be able to handle minor siding repairs, but you will need manpower if you’re doing a large replacement. The professionals will breeze through the work in a weekend or two, but going it alone could take several weeks. You’ll need to make room for your day job, so you’ll have to live in a state of disrepair for far longer.

A new installation involves more than mere replacement. You might need to remove and reinstall your shutters and downspouts. Once you’ve nailed the final board in place, you must face the task of removing waste from your property with the support of a rented dumpster. There’s no such thing as a met deadline in the unpredictable world of DIY siding installation.

You need to deal with the problems underneath your old siding

Siding removal comes with a universe of unexpected complications. Wood rot, ruined sheathing, and infestations can set your work back by a matter of months, but they’re easy work for a professional. To make matters worse, old homes are a deluge of toxic chemicals. Your removed siding could reveal fire retardants, asbestos, and lead paint.

Asbestos and lead work requires removal licenses and containment. Waste needs to be disposed of at a licensed tip, and the correct PPE is equally important. Few DIYers have the knowledge to handle toxic compounds, and the consequences are dire. The pros also have workers’ compensation to cover harm caused to your laborers—an expense that can ultimately be devastating to the average DIYer’s savings account.

Permits are hard work

You might blossom at the thought of hacking at your home with a handsaw, but siding installation also comes with its fair share of red tape. You’ll have to apply for the relevant permits long before you pick up a hammer. Construction and upgrade projects can lead to leaks, electrical malfunctions, and fires.

It’s crucial that those risks are accurately accounted for ahead of time. Your work will need to be done to code, and if you think building codes are a kind of cruciferous vegetable, you’re in trouble. If you don’t comply with zoning ordinances, an inspector could fine you and put an end to your work. Professional installation companies make light work of that red tape, and their insurance policies will cover accidental property damage.

DIY work doesn’t have warranties

Your DIY materials might come with manufacturers’ warranties, but if you make serious mistakes (and you will) you’ll have to cover the repairs out of pocket. Certified contractors usually offer warranties on their workmanship. If blistering, fading, or premature wear occurs, you won’t have to cancel your next vacation to cover the repair costs.

If you have the tools and skill, the DIY route might save you a few pennies and let you work on your own schedule. If you don’t have either of those qualities, though, the handyman approach will cost you a fortune in ruined materials and tools. Call the professionals instead. You deserve a weekend off.

For your home siding needs, 1-800-HANSONS is here to help. We use premium materials that feature a compound protecting your home from ultra-violet light and discoloration. And our experienced team can install it for you safely and quickly. Click here for a free siding estimate.