New siding is one of the bigger cheques most homeowners write for their house, and the install matters as much as the product. The same Hardie board can last decades or start failing in five years depending on who put it up. Here’s what we’d check if we were the ones hiring a siding contractor in Winnipeg.

Start with the basics

  • Insurance. Ask for proof of liability insurance. If someone falls off a ladder on your property, that shouldn’t become your problem.
  • WCB coverage. WCB Manitoba has an online clearance system that shows whether a contractor is in good standing. Check it, or ask the contractor for a clearance letter, before the work starts and before you pay.
  • A written, itemized quote. It should spell out product, colour, trim, house wrap, tear-off, disposal and cleanup. A one line quote is a warning sign.
  • Who’s doing the work. Their own crew or subcontractors? Either can work out, but you should know who’s on your roof.

Ask about warranties, plural

Most siding jobs carry two warranties. The manufacturer covers the product. The contractor covers the installation. Manufacturers can deny a claim if the product wasn’t installed to spec, so the workmanship warranty and the crew’s experience with that product matter just as much. Ask how long the workmanship warranty is and get it in writing.

How to read siding contractor reviews

Almost everyone checks Google reviews now, and they help. But a star rating on its own doesn’t say much. Look for this instead:

  • Read the middle reviews. The 3 and 4 star ones are usually the most honest about what went well and what didn’t.
  • Look at how the company replies. Every contractor gets a complaint eventually. What counts is whether they answer, own it and fix it.
  • Check the dates. A pile of great reviews from five years ago means less than steady ones from the last year.
  • Look for details. Reviews that mention the crew by name, the cleanup or how a problem got handled are hard to fake.
  • Check for photos. Real customers post real pictures of their house.

Red flags after a Winnipeg hailstorm

Every time a big storm hits, out of town crews start knocking on doors. Some are fine. Plenty aren’t, and they’re gone before the warranty matters. Be careful if you see:

  • Pressure to sign the same day
  • A big deposit up front. Manitoba’s Consumer Protection Office says about 10% down is reasonable, and pay by cheque so you have a record
  • No local address or phone number
  • An offer to “cover your deductible”
  • Out of province plates and no reviews you can find
  • No licence when they’re selling door to door. In Manitoba, direct sellers and their salespeople have to be licensed, so ask to see it

If you do sign a contract at your door, Manitoba gives you 10 days to cancel it, not counting the day you signed, and you don’t need a reason.

Questions to ask on the estimate

  • How many jobs have you done with this exact product?
  • Can I see a few finished houses nearby?
  • What happens if you find rot behind the old siding?
  • How long will it take, and who do I call if something comes up?
  • How do you protect my landscaping and clean up the nails?

Check us out the same way

We’d rather you do your homework. Read our Google reviews, look through our project gallery, and ask us any of the questions above. We’re fully insured with WCB coverage and happy to send proof before you sign anything.

Want a quote you can actually compare? Book an on-site estimate and we’ll give you a written, itemized price with no pressure to sign on the spot.