When you take a moment to picture a home’s exterior, chances are you’re not automatically thinking about the gutters. These systems are often forgotten and undervalued, that is until you’re in the middle of the rainy season wishing you had a good system in place.
Gutters play an important role in keeping your home weatherproof and avoiding problems like mold or mildew.
These systems aren’t normally a do-it-yourself project and gutter installation is best handled by a professional. But finding the right team is crucial to getting the results you’re looking for and a system that will withstand the elements well. When you’re searching for “gutter installation near me”, make sure to ask these seven questions!
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
The first thing you want to look for after searching for “gutter installers in my area” is that they are a legitimate company. There are too many scams in the world to not do your due diligence before making any commitments.
Every company should be able to show you that they are licensed and insured. This is the best way for you to feel confident that your money will go where they say it will and you will receive the services you’ve paid for as well.
2. Do You Offer Material Options?
Most homeowners care about how the exterior of their house looks and the curb appeal aspect of their home. Gutters can fade into the rest of the design and go unnoticed, or they can scream out that they don’t belong. You definitely want the first option.
Before choosing a seamless gutter installation, check to make sure they have a design plan that will fit in with the style and look you want for your home. The last thing you want is for the job to be finished and you to be left with an eyesore for the next several years. Most companies have a variety of materials and color options for you to choose from.
3. Can You Handle Exterior Repairs?
Gutter systems are great at protecting a home and keeping it dry. But, if they aren’t taken care of properly, they can also cause damage to the exterior of the home as well.
If you know there is damage on your exterior surrounding the old gutter system, check with the installation company to see if they will handle those repairs or not. This way you can decide if you want to handle the repairs yourself or hire another company to do the job.
4. Will Gutters Affect My Roof Warranty?
Roofs are one of the most expensive items on any home and most homeowners can’t just afford to replace them at the drop of a hat. That’s why most roofing companies offer warranties that help homeowners keep their roofs intact and complete repairs when necessary.
These warranties are great but it’s important to keep within the terms of the agreement to make sure you get your coverage.
The gutter installation team will be able to help you determine whether your new gutter system will violate and void the warranty or if everything will still be ready to go. This is really important information to know upfront so you can make an informed decision.
5. What Maintenance Is Required for Gutters?
No one likes to spend extra money on their home to get a project done only for it to be ruined a short time later. You might as well have just thrown the money in the garbage!
Understanding potential complications that can come with a gutter system can help you develop a plan to prevent them from happening. Your installation team will be able to tell you specifics for your system and the materials they used so that you can get as much life out of the system as possible.
It’s a good idea to ask these questions ahead of time to prepare yourself and get any additional help you may need.
6. Should I expect Hidden Fees?
While it will vary depending on the type you use and the size of your home, it’s important to know the gutter installation cost upfront before you make any decisions. Home repairs can often get out of hand quickly and the cost always adds up.
Getting an estimate is helpful to get a good feel for how much you’ll be responsible for.
From there you can ask for a list of the possible reasons that the estimate might change. This is the best way to avoid being surprised by the cost and make sure everyone is on the same page from the beginning.
7. Do You Have Any Customer Reviews?
Anyone who has done any kind of online shopping or research has definitely come across customer ratings or reviews and learned how helpful they can be.
It’s no different when looking for gutter installation companies, these insights can be invaluable.
When you’re reading reviews make sure to not just count on one source, check a few different websites and read several from each. This is the best way to get a real, accurate view of what to expect when working with a specific company. These reviews can also help you come up with other questions to ask and scenarios to talk through before committing.
Questions to Ask Before New Gutter Installation
Finding the right team to handle your gutter installation will make all of the difference for your home. Not only will the gutters look great and match the style of your home, but they’ll also add a layer of functionality a home desperately needs.
No more getting soaked when walking out your front door or trying to avoid the major puddles on the sidewalk. All the extra water will be directed wherever you want to give you a clear path and to keep it away from your home. Having a good gutter system can help you feel more confident that you’re not going to have any nasty water damage surprises sneaking up on you!
If you’re interested in learning more about the gutter installation process in Naperville, contact us today for an estimate!
