What Is A James Hardie Preferred Partner? Why You Should Work With One For Your Siding Project

Before starting any home remodeling project, finding the right company to work with is the first step to ensure a successful outcome. 

When it comes to your exterior siding, you need something durable and long-lasting installed by certified professionals. Because of this, not only should you choose James Hardie siding, but you should also work with a James Hardie preferred partner. 

James Hardie is a renowned name across the continent known for their engineered fiber cement siding products. While their products are some of the best on the market, it’s crucial they are installed correctly to ensure their longevity and performance. 

As a San Antonio siding replacement expert since 1989, Southwest Exteriors has helped thousands of homeowners elevate their exteriors with high-quality James Hardie products and professional installation. 

We have been a preferred partner as part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program, meaning we have installed Hardie products following Hardie’s best practices and offer high-quality warranty and service after the sale for all of our clients. 

Unfortunately, though, because James Hardie is easily available for purchase to anyone, anyone can install it, whether they know what they are doing or not. 

This means there are dozens of people in your area who offer James Hardie siding or market themselves as James Hardie installers when they do not follow James Hardie’s best practices for installation. 

The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars on high-quality siding only to have it installed incorrectly and fail. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. 

This article will outline what a James Hardie preferred partner is, the qualifications required, and why you should work with one for your siding replacement project. 

Who is James Hardie? 

James Hardie Industries is a globally recognized company known for high-quality fiber cement building products. Founded by James Hardie in the late 19th century, the company is now a major player in the construction materials market. 

It specializes in producing durable fiber cement siding and backerboard, known for its exceptional durability, resistance to fire, and ability to withstand severe weather conditions.

Hardie siding offers a unique combination of longevity, robustness, and design versatility, appealing to a wide range of aesthetic preferences, allowing homeowners to receive fabulous-looking siding and invest in a product that will protect their home. 

James Hardie's commitment to innovation in fiber cement technology has placed it at the forefront of the building materials industry. 

Their commitment to quality, innovation, and design makes James Hardie a trusted name for homeowners, builders, and architects seeking top-tier exterior building materials.

What Is The James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program? 

For a company to be considered an Elite Preferred or Preferred Contractor under the Contractor Alliance^TM Program, companies must adhere to certain requirements. 

To become a Preferred Contractor, James Hardie considers

• Compliance with Installation Best Practices
• Professional Sales Approach
• Satisfactory credit report
• State Licensed
• Liability insurance $1,000,000 per occurrence
• Workman’s compensation Insurance (where required by law)
• Satisfactory background check with at least 6 past clients

Any contractor that meets these requirements does business with honesty and integrity and ensures their installation crews follow Hardie’s best practices for installation. 

When searching for the right contractor for any remodeling project, knowing their background and credibility is one of the most important things. You want to know they have a reputable history of high-quality work and service. 

Companies in the Contractor Alliance^TM Program are proven trustworthy contractors in your area and will ensure your siding is installed to last. 

What Are The Contractor Achievements A James Hardie Installer Can Earn? 

Under the James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program, companies can be Elite Preferred and Preferred Partners and hold certain achievement awards to display their skills and specialized as part of the alliance. 

Companies in the Contractor Alliance^TM Program that have earned these specific achievements will typically display them in their office location, showroom, or online. 

Here are six awards James Hardie contractors can achieve under the Contractor Alliance^TM Program. 

1. 100% Hardie Badge

This badge is awarded to companies that only install James Hardie fiber cement products. This means they only offer James Hardie siding and trim for homes near them. 

Hardie advises homeowners to choose a contractor with this badge for a home with a beautifully polished look and durable, long-lasting finish. 

2. Commitment to Excellence Badge

This award is honored to companies that are committed to excellence under James Hardie’s standards. 

These companies complete annual training on general installation requirements, critical to quality requirements, and review the current best practices for installation. This means they are up-to-date on the best installation practices and will ensure your new siding products are installed with care. 

3. Design Excellence Badge

Companies with this badge offer a variety of James Hardie siding profiles, like traditional lap, scalloped shingle, board and batten, and more. 

Working with a company with this achievement will ensure you have as many design options as possible so you can find the right siding styles and colors to fit your home.

4. Homeowner Recommended Badge

This badge is awarded based on homeowner recommendations on GuildQuality, which is one of the top engines for real surveys and reviews of remodeling businesses. 

A company with this badge has earned high praise and reviews because of the quality of their work and services. This company will ensure a high-quality installation and care for your home throughout your project. 

5. Superior Finish Badge

This achievement is awarded to companies that offer a wide range of James Hardie color profiles, including siding utilizing ColorPlus technology and more. 

Similar to the Design Excellence Badge, a company with this award will provide you with many design and color options to ensure great-looking siding that will last and protect your home. 

6. Year in Program Badge

Companies part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program will have this badge to signify the number of years they have partnered with James Hardie. 

This award, much like how long a company has been in business, shows you how long they have been installing Hardie siding and how long they have met the criteria to be a preferred partner of James Hardie. 

Finding a contractor part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program and with several achievements will assure you they are a trusted partner under James Hardie’s standards. 

Why Should You Work With A James Hardie Preferred Partner 

Now that you understand the criteria involved in becoming part of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance^TM Program and certain achievements that can be awarded, you better understand what makes these contractors different than others. 

But…why should you work with one for your project? 

When searching for the right contractor for any remodeling project, knowing their background and credibility is of of the most important things. You want to know they have a reputable history of high-quality work and service. 

Companies with any awards, achievements, or partnerships with national manufacturers and remodeling companies only elevate their credibility and prove their quality of work. 

Would you rather work with an established company that is a preferred James Hardie partner part of the Contractor Alliance^TM Program or one that has no website, no online reviews, or proof of their work? The answer is simple. 

Working with a James Hardie preferred partner provides you with peace of mind that the company offers the right products to fit your home and will install them to the highest standards.

While a higher quality contractor is more expensive than others, remember you are investing in the future of your home. 

If you choose a lower-quality contractor who doesn’t follow James Hardie’s best installation practices, you risk wasting thousands of dollars on a botched siding installation and will have to spend more money to fix it. 

If you want James Hardie siding on your home, choosing a preferred partner will ensure your home will be taken care of and your new siding will last for decades on your home. 

Are you looking for a James Hardie preferred partner to work with in your area? Simply input your zip code here to receive a certified James Hardie installers list. Then, you can continue your research to find the right contractor for you.

Looking For A Certified James Hardie Installer In San Antonio? 

Southwest Exteriors has been a trusted San Antonio siding replacement company since 1989, and we’ve been a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor for over 24 years. 

Our design consultants, project managers, and expert installation teams are constantly trained and educated on best practices for installation, product development, and more. 

We promise your new James Hardie siding will look fabulous and last on your San Antonio home, and our lifetime warranty is here to back it up. 

Elevate your home with a contractor you can trust with high-quality workmanship from Southwest Exteriors. Schedule your commitment-free consultation today and get the look you LOOOVE coming home to!