James Hardie Siding Contractor Red Flags: 3 Things To Look Out For

The thought of replacing your home’s siding can be daunting. Removing your old siding, having the frame of your home vulnerable to the outside elements while under construction, a potential mishap in the installation…these are all fears you probably have about a siding replacement. 

What’s scarier than imagining something going wrong with your siding replacement? Choosing the wrong contractor that will make those hypotheticals true. 

The quality of the product you choose for your siding replacement determines the quality, durability, and longevity of your new siding. But, the quality of the contractor directly influences those factors as well.

Although James Hardie is the leading manufacturer of fiber cement products and makes highly durable and long-lasting siding products, if they are not installed properly, they won’t perform as they should. 

So, if you’re thinking about investing in Hardie siding for your home, you must choose the right contractor. 

Because Southwest Exteriors has been a siding replacement contractor in San Antonio for over 33 years, we’ve heard plenty of horror stories about botched Hardie siding replacements. As a James Hardie-certified contractor ourselves, the last thing we want is for you to be taken advantage of by a contractor that doesn’t know what they’re doing. 

We know how difficult it is to find the right contractor for your project. You wonder what qualities you should be looking for in a trustworthy contractor. 

On the other side of the table, you also need to know what red flags to look for when meeting with a contractor. 

This article will outline three major red flags to watch out for in a James Hardie siding contractor. 

After reading, you’ll be able to identify any of these red flags in a Hardie contractor you meet with. You'll also know the right qualities to look for to choose the best contractor for your project. 

1. The contractor is not James Hardie certified, but they say they can install James Hardie siding

The first major red flag to look out for is what type of company offers Hardie siding to you. For example, if you find a siding company with stucco in their name, but they offer to install James Hardie siding for you, this is a red flag. 

If you come across a contractor like this, more often than not, they just want your money for their business to stay afloat. So, they offer to install what you’re looking for just to make business. 

Any contractor that is not trained to install James Hardie siding under Hardie’s best practices for installation will not install your siding properly. 

When Hardie siding is not installed correctly, it will not last and perform as it is meant to. So, why would you choose a contractor that specializes in other siding replacements instead of choosing a professional Hardie installer?

If they have the name of other sidings in their company name, like stucco, do not trust them to install Hardie siding. 

2. They give you a “too good to be true” offer

The second red flag to look out for is if a contractor gives you an offer that seems too good to be true. Now, we understand that any siding replacement project is a large investment. The cost of such a large project can be intimidating for any homeowner. 

James Hardie siding is one of the more expensive siding types. Choosing the contractor that offers you the lowest price can be tempting. 

Cost and quality have a direct relationship with any home remodeling products and services. The highest quality siding replacement is never going to be the least expensive. This is why it is important to have realistic expectations for the cost of your project. 

Do not fall to the temptation of a lower cost for your project. For a high-quality siding product and high-quality, expert installation, it will cost more.

3. They have no website or online presence

The third major red flag to keep in mind is if you can’t find a contractor anywhere online. This can be common with installers that take the door-to-door approach for business. They may quickly inspect the outside of your home, knock on your door, and offer to fix your siding.  

We recently worked with a homeowner who experienced this exact scene. They were given a name and number for a contractor offering to install James Hardie siding but found nothing when they searched for the company online. 

When they tried to call the phone number they were given, the number was not in service. Imagine if that homeowner had written a check for that installer on the spot in this scenario. Would they have fulfilled their promises or just ran with the money and disappeared? 

This is why researching a contractor before any consultation and familiarizing yourself with their previous work is crucial. You want to know how long they have been a locally established business, their reviews, and how they treat their clients. 

Never give your money to a contractor on a whim. Researching and asking the right questions are the two best ways to ensure you find the best contractor for you. 

How do I find the right James Hardie siding contractor?

Now you know three major red flags to look out for in a James Hardie siding contractor. If you’re looking to replace your siding with Hardie siding, it’s important you can identify these red flags. This way, you will avoid being taken advantage of by an untrustworthy contractor. 

James Hardie siding is one of the most popular siding types on the market. It’s easily accessible for anyone to buy. This means that any contractor or person can buy Hardie siding at their local hardware store and brand themselves as a Hardie contractor. 

But, not all of these contractors are certified Hardie installers. Some of them may have never installed Hardie siding before. This is why the ability to identify red and green flags in a Hardie contractor is an important skill to have. 

Now that you know the major red flags to look for in a James Hardie siding contractor, you’re probably wondering what some green flags you should look for. 

This article will outline five qualities to look for in a James Hardie siding installer. Then, you can find a trustworthy contractor that will give you a successful project, and your Hardie siding will last for years on your home. 

Southwest Exteriors is a certified James Hardie siding installer. We understand the importance of a high-quality installation, so a James Hardie inspector will come to your house to ensure the job was done right when you replace your siding with us. 

Whether you work with us for your siding replacement project or not, we want to provide you with the right information for your project so you can make the best decisions for you and your home.