Choosing a contractor is both an incredibly important and incredibly difficult part of any home renovation. The home remodel market is crowded, and if you search for “Minneapolis siding contractor,” you’re faced with an overwhelming array of companies that all want your business. Some of these companies are fly by night bandits, others highly reputable, and it can be hard to tell based on reviews alone; these are often incredibly unreliable, because many businesses will create their own testimonials or pay others to praise them.

How can you find a true benchmark of quality, one that shows that this company is the best of the best? For contractors that install James Hardie fiber cement siding, there is one indicator of immaculate work: the Elite Preferred designation of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance. This program continually assesses the work of a given company, and there are strict guidelines for how to maintain this symbol of success. Today, we’ll discuss why you should always work with a Minneapolis siding contractor that can proudly display the Elite Preferred badge on their website.

James Hardie stands by its products and wants only the best contractors installing them

James Hardie is the leading producer of fiber cement siding, and it achieved this status by maintaining exacting standards of design, manufacture, and installation. Recognizing that not every contracting company has the same level of skill, James Hardie began the Contractor Alliance program in 2014 to help train and support siding installation companies, as well as rank them for consumers.

This program doesn’t just verify the quality of contractors’ work: it also helps those new to the industry start and maintain their business through one-on-one assistance and training. By working directly with those who will be placing their fiber cement siding on houses, James Hardie builds a culture of compliance across the industry, and also standardizes how contractors approach their projects.

The part of this program most important to consumers is the ranking system, of which Elite Preferred is at the top. The Elite Preferred designation means that this siding contractor has achieved – and maintains – a level of quality above and beyond normal business practices. Let’s take a look at some of the specific areas upon which contractors are judged for entry to the Elite Preferred community.

Business stability, number of installations, and customer reviews are all considered to become an Elite Preferred contractor

Firstly, a company needs to be well-established and stable in order to be eligible for the Elite Preferred ranking: a company that is having money trouble or doesn’t have a lot of business experience could easily fold, and this would spell trouble for their existing customers and established contracts. They must also have all the proper licenses and insurance for their region.

Moving into the installation component, Elite Preferred contractors need to undergo specialized training with James Hardie itself, and then they must adhere to what they learned at all of their job sites. Fiber cement siding requires a specific installation procedure for longevity and strength, and those who skimp out on the basics will short their customers of the long lifespan that James Hardie products are known for. It’s also important that the contractor works on numerous inhabited homes every year to prove that they have both great communication and technical skills.

Speaking of customers, the last component for Elite Preferred status is stellar customer reviews. James Hardie solicits references from those who apply for this designation and contacts their former customers to learn whether they were satisfied; since they are the ones calling up the happy homeowners, they know for a fact that these reviews are genuine.

When you find a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, you know that you’re in for a great siding experience

All of this comes together to give a comprehensive view of a business’s quality. Since James Hardie is incredibly protective of their brand reputation, they don’t give out these designations to just anyone: the testing process is rigorous, and it’s not a one-and-done ranking, either. Elite Preferred members are continually reviewed, and they can be forced to remove their badge if their quality drops. This means that if you see this badge on a company’s website, you can be assured that they will turn your home’s humdrum exterior into the envy of the entire neighborhood, all at a great price.

It’s important to note that standards for Elite Preferred contractors differ in some areas, so what will qualify one company in one area may not pass muster in another. Companies that can lay claim to this badge are incredibly happy to discuss it, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a business and ask them about the James Hardie Elite Preferred status, including what the standards are in the Minneapolis area.

Your home deserves the best of the best; you’re already choosing the highest quality materials by seeking out a James Hardie fiber cement installer, but it’s time to go the extra mile and choose a highly accomplished contractor to finish the job. You’ll never regret working with an Elite Preferred member of the James Hardie Contractor Alliance.