This list will help you identify potential problems and give you the security of making the right choice.
There are common misconceptions about selecting a contractor whether it be for roofing, gutters, siding, painting, plumbing, or even a full addition to your home. Home improvement projects are significant investments, and finding an honest, skilled team requires asking the right questions before signing any paperwork. At Armadas Exterior LLC, we believe in complete transparency and consumer education across both of our primary Oregon service hubs—whether you are looking for a trustworthy contractor in the Portland Metro area (including Damascus) or down at our southern location in Cottage Grove serving the entire Eugene and Springfield region.
It is our highest hope that this educational guide will walk you through the hiring process, pull back the curtain on hidden industry practices, and give you critical inside information that will better arm you with the right questions to ask.
Does your contractor offer financing and why is this important?
Quick Summary: How to Choose the Right Exterior Contractor in Oregon
When selecting a contractor, always verify that they hold an active, clean license with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB), carry comprehensive liability insurance, and provide a clear bond. To ensure you receive top-tier craftsmanship and maximum warranty protection, prioritize hiring contractors who hold elite manufacturer certifications and utilize specialized, in-house crews rather than relying entirely on unvetted, third-party subcontractors.
Vetting credentials is an essential safety step for any major exterior remodel. If you want to see an example of what rigorous industry qualifications look like, review our detailed overview of our own elite credentials as Certified Roofing Installers to see how factory training protects your home improvement investments.
While you are likely to get the best price from a small independent contractor, it is risky even with a licensed contractor that has insurance and bond. Pending lawsuits and litigation typically end with a $5,000 bond payout to homeowners that actually pursue it to the end. However if this contractor offers financing then he/she has been vetted by a legitimate firm and found that they are suitable to utilize their services. The requirements to offer financing are quite stringent.
Okay so you have selected a contractor that offers financing but did you know that the finance companies have now educated the contractor on how to increase their price for every estimate with the expectation that homeowners will always select the financing option. This means your estimates are now an average of 20% higher or more in most cases. WHAT??!! Okay so let’s be clear on this. Contractors are subject to some incredibly high service fees at this point. Homeowners usually steer to the no interest rates so if a contractor finances you for a $20,000 project and you pay it in full during the promotional period, how did that finance company make any money?… Yeah you guessed it the contractor paid for it out of the original estimate. These fees for contractors can be as high as 30% of the entire contract.
Cash talks people!!! You definitely have room to negotiate the price with any contractor that offers financing if you are paying with cash. When cash isn’t an option, maybe ask the contractor if he/she can show you some of their least expensive financing options.
Is your contractor certified with any major product lines?
There are major brand names out there in nearly every aspect of remodeling that you are probably familiar with such as GAF, CertainTeed, Toshiba, Sherwin-Willaims, James Hardie, Simonton, and the list goes on. Well these major names offer big rewards for loyal contractors that are willing to learn their product and adhere to their specifications. Certified contractors have to go through the manufactures training program and learn the exact requirements for installing these components which means huge rewards for you. Certified contractors can typically offer you longer warranties, better products, and better pricing with these brand names that you already know and trust. These major names have also vetted your contractor and require them to maintain certifications by retraining them, testing them, and inspecting their work as well as maintaining customer satisfaction. A contractor that is certified is a contractor that cares.
Does Your Contractor Use Subcontractors?
This may not always be important but in some instances a contractor may only use subcontractors and this means you are paying for a middle man and you are now subject to paying more for someone else to do the work that they won’t be doing themselves. It is hopeful that this contractor has done their research and trusts the subcontractors enough to put them on your sight. The pitfall to that is oftentimes there are turnovers within that subcontractors company that the General Contractor does not know about, or perhaps there has been a major turnover and the subcontractor they knew is no longer the ones they still know.
Partner With a Certified, Trusted Local Contractor in Oregon
Choosing the right partner for your upcoming home remodel doesn’t have to be a stressful or risky guessing game. By looking out for manufacturer credentials, understanding how financing structures impact your baseline estimates, and verifying who is actually performing the physical labor on your roof or siding, you can confidently protect your property and your wallet.
If you are preparing for a roofing, siding, or seamless gutter project and want to work with a family-owned team that puts consumer education first, reach out to Armadas Exterior LLC. We take immense pride in delivering elite workmanship and transparent communication across the entire Portland metro area, as well as down out of our Cottage Grove shop to support families throughout Eugene and Springfield.
Contact us today to ask our team any questions, or schedule a comprehensive, no-obligation on-site consultation for your next project!
