As a homeowner, you probably have a long list of projects you would like to do around your house and property. After all, you want your home to look its best and stay in good repair. If you are looking to update your home’s curb appeal, a replacement siding winter installation is a great project to tackle. If you were under the impression that siding installation was only for warmer seasons, take another look at the prospect of making productive use of a typically “doldrum” season. What’s more, if you would like to make good progress on your home-improvement to-do list this winter, read over the following seven tips for winter season siding installation, and let’s get started!

Winter Weather Considerations

Typical winter weather conditions in our Golden Valley and greater Twin Cities Metro area include snow, ice, wind, rain, and frigid temperatures. Of these weather conditions, a good home contractor with an experienced team of siding installers will only be concerned with very strong wind-driven storms, whether rain, sleet, or wet snow. Frigid temperatures are only a factor when the mercury drops to 15 degrees below zero.

Choosing The Right Contractor

The home contractor you choose for your winter siding installation will make all the difference in the success of your home improvement project. Consider all of the following factors, criteria, and aspects to help you choose your home contractor wisely:

  • Choose a contractor that guarantees their work in writing.
  • Read customer reviews on websites like Google and Facebook and also on the contractor’s own website.
  • Choose an established company—no fly-by-night outfits.
  • Make sure the contractor is legally licensed, bonded, and insured.
  • Check with the appropriate Better Business Bureau to look up customer ratings given to contractors. Accept no less than an A+ BBB rating!
  • Look for a contractor that assigns a dedicated project manager to your replacement siding project.

Bids And Budgets

Get more than one estimate for your project. Three estimates are always a good number. Review each estimate carefully. Compare materials and labor costs. You may be surprised by how considerably different bids can be for the same project. This begs the question, Why? Don’t automatically go with the lowest bid. It could be incorrect, which means the contractor must cut corners to prevent heavy losses, and it also means the contractor wasn’t cut out for the job.

Winter Siding Installation Expectations

You may be wondering what to expect for a winter siding installation. Keep in mind that you are going to have a construction crew and their vehicles and equipment on your property or nearby. A dumpster is typically needed to haul away the old siding. The dumpster is usually delivered a day or two before work begins. The dumpster sits in your driveway or on the street, depending on space and local code.

Preparing Your Home And Property

Another benefit of winter siding installation is that your yard will probably be frozen solid, thereby, safer from the wear and tear grass endures during spring, summer, or fall siding installation. Yet, there are a few things you should do so that you and your home are prepared for the construction that is about to take place.

  • Make available a few power outlets for the crew’s tools. Outlets may be on your home’s exterior or perhaps from your garage.
  • Siding installation can make your home’s walls vibrate and shake. It’s a good idea to remove items hanging on walls and remove fragile objects from shelves.
  • Make sure access to all parts of your exterior walls are clear of any obstacles, such as garbage bins, firewood, patio furniture, and the like.
  • Installing siding is a noisy job. If there are people or pets sensitive to excessive noise, make accommodation arrangements for their comfort.
  • Cutback or tie back tree limbs close to exterior walls.
  • Keep all household members and pets away from the construction zone.

Re-Side Work Begins

At last, your replacement siding project gets underway! The crew has arrived and you’ve met and had a conversation with the project manager. Depending on the size of your home and weather conditions, a re-siding project generally takes one to two weeks in its entirety—from the dumpster arriving, demo and tear-out of old siding, installing beautiful new siding, and thanking your project manager for a job well done! To get there, keep a few things in mind:

  • Safety first, be mindful that scaffolding and other equipment will be around your home for the duration of the project.
  • A good crew will clean as they go. However, just assume that nails and other hazardous small construction materials may be in your yard. If you must walk around the construction area, wear safety boots.
  • If your roof has ice dams on the eaves and gutters one or two days before siding installation is to begin, the ice dams should be removed by a reputable roofing contractor. You don’t want heavy ice falling from your roof and injuring someone.

Unexpected Repairs

During the siding inspection and estimate process, contractors are going to look for signs of wall damage, such as decay or damage from water and/or insects. However, no matter how good an inspection was performed, there is always the possibility of uncovering problem wall areas that need to be replaced. These unexpected repairs generally don’t affect the end costs of the project very much at all. Further, ask your contractor what the estimated costs would be per square foot to replace damaged wall sections.

If you’re looking for an honest home contractor for your siding replacement project, look no further than Younger Exteriors! We have an A+ rating with the BBB, and we guarantee our replacement siding jobs with a 10-YEAR CRAFTSMANSHIP GUARANTEE! We’re proud of our beautiful work, and we’re sure you will be too! Contact us online or call us at (612) 360-0320 for all your home siding and roofing needs!