Siding replacement is one of the largest home improvement projects most Long Island homeowners will undertake. It's also one of the most frequently botched — by contractors who cut corners on materials, rush through installation, or disappear when problems emerge. Here's what to look for before you sign anything.
Start with Licensing and Insurance — Non-Negotiable
In New York, home improvement contractors must be licensed by the county they're working in. For siding work on Long Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County each issue their own Home Improvement Contractor licenses. Ask any contractor for their specific county license number and verify it — both counties have online lookup tools.
Beyond licensing, verify that the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Ask for a certificate of insurance, not just their word for it. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' comp, you may be liable.
Smart Choice Contracting: Suffolk #HI-62204 | Nassau #189141 — fully licensed and insured in both counties.
Look for Manufacturer Certification
National siding manufacturers — CertainTeed, James Hardie, Alside — have contractor certification programs. Certified installers receive product-specific training and typically have access to enhanced warranties that uncertified contractors can't offer. Smart Choice Contracting is a CertainTeed-certified installer. When evaluating contractors, ask: "Are you certified by the manufacturer whose product you're proposing?"
Understand the Siding Materials First
Vinyl siding is the most popular choice: durable, low-maintenance, and improved significantly in quality over the past decade. Premium vinyl is thicker and more rigid than builder-grade — don't let anyone tell you "vinyl is vinyl."
Fiber cement siding (James Hardie is the dominant brand) is denser, harder, and more resistant to impact, moisture, and insects than vinyl. It costs more but the material is genuinely superior and carries an excellent track record in northeastern climates.
Make sure any bid you receive specifies the exact product, manufacturer, line, and thickness. "Vinyl siding" is too vague. "CertainTeed Monogram 0.046" double 4" clapboard" is specific enough to compare.
What a Proper Siding Installation Includes
A legitimate contractor will: remove the existing siding (not install over it), inspect and repair the sheathing underneath, install a proper weather-resistant barrier (housewrap), address trim and penetrations at windows and doors with proper flashing, and replace soffit and fascia as part of the system.
Any contractor skipping these steps is cutting corners that you'll pay for in 5–10 years.
Get Multiple Written Quotes — and Read Them Carefully
When comparing bids, don't just compare the bottom number. Check: Does it specify the exact product and thickness? Does it include full removal of existing siding? Is housewrap mentioned? What's the warranty from the manufacturer and the contractor? What's the payment schedule? (Avoid any contractor who wants full payment upfront.)
Watch for These Red Flags
- Unusually low bid — below-market pricing almost always means below-market materials or installation quality
- Pressure to decide immediately — a sales tactic, not a real constraint
- No written contract — never agree to a home improvement project over $500 without a signed contract
- No physical address — out-of-area contractors who appear after storms and disappear when problems arise
- Cash-only payment requests — legitimate contractors accept checks and financing
Ready to Talk Siding?
Smart Choice Contracting has been installing siding for Long Island homeowners for 26+ years. We're CertainTeed-certified, fully licensed in Nassau and Suffolk County, and all estimates are done by the owner — not a salesperson. We offer 0% financing for 5 years or a 15% cash discount.
Call (631) 314-6289 or request a free estimate online. Suffolk County License #HI-62204 | Nassau County License #189141.
