Hiring someone to work on the outside of your home is a big deal. Your roof and siding aren’t just cosmetic features. They’re what stands between your family and a Wisconsin winter or a Minnesota storm system.
Before you sign anything or hand over a deposit, there are some questions worth asking your exterior contractor to help you avoid headaches, budget surprises, and work that doesn’t hold up past the first frost. The right contractor will welcome every single one of them.
Why You Should Ask Questions Before Hiring an Exterior Contractor
A lot of homeowners feel awkward grilling a contractor. Don’t. A professional who gets defensive when you ask basic questions is telling you something important about how they’ll handle problems on the job.
The good news? Krumm Exteriors has been answering homeowner questions since 1997, and we genuinely enjoy it. Here’s your go-to list before any exterior project kicks off.
Are You Licensed and Insured in My State?
This is the first question, full stop. In Wisconsin and Minnesota, roofing and siding contractors are required to be professionally licensed, and not every contractor operating in the area actually is.
Ask for:
- Proof of licensing in both Wisconsin and Minnesota if your contractor works across state lines
- General liability insurance to cover any property damage during the project
- Workers’ compensation coverage so you’re not liable if someone gets hurt on your roof
Krumm Exteriors is professionally licensed and insured in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. We’ll show you the paperwork, no awkward pause, no subject change.
How Long Have You Been in Business, and Are You a Local Contractor?
Experience matters in exterior contracting, but so does local knowledge. A contractor who has spent years working in Western Wisconsin and Minnesota understands what materials hold up in our climate, how freeze-thaw cycles affect installation decisions, and what products actually perform when the temperature drops to single digits.
Ask:
- How long have you been operating in this area?
- Are you a local company or a storm-chasing crew that just rolled into town?
- Can you provide local references from recent projects?
Storm chasers are a real thing. Out-of-state contractors who show up after major weather events do quick work and disappear before you notice the problems. Local, family-owned companies like Krumm Exteriors have a reputation to protect in the communities we serve. We live here too.
What Does Your Warranty Cover?
This question trips up a lot of homeowners because there are actually two types of warranties to ask about:
- Manufacturer’s warranty: Covers the materials themselves (shingles, siding panels, etc.)
- Workmanship warranty: Covers the quality of the installation
A great product installed poorly will still fail. Make sure your contractor stands behind their work, not just the materials. Ask specifically what’s covered, for how long, and what voids the warranty.
Who Will Be Working on My Roof or Siding Project?
Some contractors sell the job and then hand it off to subcontractors you’ve never met. That’s not always a bad thing, but you deserve to know upfront.
Ask:
- Will your own crew be completing this project?
- If subcontractors are used, how are they vetted?
- Who is my point of contact for questions during the project?
Our professionals manage your project with the same dedication, whether it’s a roof repair or a full siding replacement. You’ll know who’s on your property and why.
What’s the Project Timeline With an Exterior Contractor?
Exterior work is disruptive by nature, but a good contractor minimizes that disruption and communicates clearly throughout.
Good follow-up questions include:
- What’s the estimated start and completion date?
- How do you handle cleanup at the end of each workday?
- What happens if the weather causes delays?
- How will you protect my landscaping, windows, and driveway during the project?
These details separate contractors who are just trying to get to the next job from those who actually care about your home.
Why Homeowners in Wisconsin and Minnesota Choose Krumm Exteriors
Since 1997, our one goal has never changed… when a customer trusts us with their home, we work our hardest to honor that trust. We’re a family-owned company rooted in Western Wisconsin and Minnesota, and every project we take on reflects our commitment to quality, honesty, and doing the job right the first time.
Call Krumm Exteriors today to schedule your consultation. Our team is always here to help, and we’d be excited to get started on your next roofing or siding project.
