Your home is your castle, and it’s precious to you and your family. When you decide it’s time to get some work done on the exterior, like replacing your roof, windows, or siding, or even adding a new deck, you need to find a good contractor. But how do you do that? There are a lot of contractors out there…Here are the recommendations we make to our clients when they begin a restoration or remodel project on their home:

A good first step is to look for a company that is local. Find a contractor that has set down roots somewhere nearby. That way, you know that the company will still be around after the project is done. Once you’ve found a company or two like that, start looking at their online reviews. Those reviews are your friends and neighbors giving their two cents on how that company operates. That’s priceless information.

But, if you really want to find a top-quality general contractor crew team, look at the company’s licenses and certifications. A company with the right credentials is guaranteed to be a cut above the rest. To help you out, here is a list of five licenses and certifications your next exterior contractor must have in our opinion.

1. Local Licensing

No matter how many great reviews or referrals an exterior remodeling company has, if it is not licensed to work in your local area, you should steer clear. At the very least, local licensing means that the contractor has the minimum qualifications required in your area. It minimizes your risk of poor work, work that doesn’t meet local code or zoning laws, or even liability for worker injury. Finding a contractor that is licensed in your local area is an absolute must.

Our local license number is always visible on our website and you’re able to view all of Northern Lights Exteriors LLC license information on BuildZoom. 

2. Product Certifications

Different contractors use different materials and products. But is the contractor you’re considering really an expert in installing your product of choice? Many product lines, like Owens Corning roof shingles and James Hardie siding, and even Pella Windows offer certifications for contractors that are not easy to get. No matter what product you plan on putting on your home, look for a contractor who holds a certification for that product.

For all of the products that our company recommends, our staff is extensively trained and experienced in the application of this material, meaning that you can rest assured that it will be installed on your home properly. 

3. Better Business Bureau Accreditation

The Better Business Bureau has been around since 1912 and was established purely to help consumers know which businesses are trustworthy. A business that is accredited with the BBB and maintains a high rating is likely a solid company. A BBB accreditation and rating isn’t the end-all, but it’s a nice validation of a business’s trustworthiness.

Northern Lights Exteriors is proud to be A+ BBB accredited since April 2010. Read our reviews and see why we’re rated 4.86/5 stars!

4. Environmental Certifications

If you live in Colorado, you know how important our beautiful environment is to your everyday life. Exterior remodeling contractors can play a big role in helping or hurting our environment. For your project, look for a company that holds some sort of certification that verifies environmentally-friendly business practices.

Products recommended and used by our exterior contractors are made environmentally-friendly material that’s built to last in harsh Colorado weather so you can worry about less waste. 

Contact Our Certified Home Exterior Contractors

If you are thinking about having some work done on the exterior of your home and you’re not sure how to find a reputable contractor, contact Northern Lights Exteriors. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and, just in case you are wondering, we hold the following licenses and certifications:

• Contractor licenses for Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins and everywhere in-between
• A+ Better Business Bureau Rating
• Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor
• James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor
• Deckorators Certified Installer
• Trex Pro Installer
• GuildQuality Master Award Winner – Since 2016
• Houzz Certified Pro Service Award Winner – Since 2017

Don’t trust your home to just any general contractor crew team. Make sure they have the right licenses and certifications to guarantee that they’ll get your job done right!