★★★★★
Heritage Exteriors is beyond exceptional. Very impressed with the timeliness, communication, and reasonable price of the whole project.
Scott Doyen
Sacramento, CA · Google
Sacramento, CA · Google
Planning a Siding or Window Project
Choosing a contractor, comparing quotes, contracts, budget, permits and warranties: our planning guides, in the order you will need them.
Get a Free EstimateMost exterior projects that go wrong do so before the first board comes off: the wrong contractor, a quote that left things out, or a budget with no room for what turns up behind the old siding. This page gathers our planning guides in the order you will need them.
Start here
The guides below take a siding or window project from the first idea to the final walk-through. For what we install, see all our services.
- What to expect during a free siding consultation — how to prepare and what to ask.
- A full exterior remodel, week by week — the timeline from start to finish.
- What to expect during siding replacement
- Siding replacement, day by day — removal, prep, install and cleanup.
Choosing a contractor
A license check takes a minute and matters more than any review. These cover what else to look for.
- Licensing and insurance for California siding contractors — what to verify before you hire.
- Hiring a siding installation company in California
- How to choose the right siding contractor — licenses, certifications, red flags and questions to ask.
- Seven questions to ask a siding contractor
- Questions to ask before signing the contract
- Red flags in siding contractor bids
- Common mistakes when hiring a siding contractor
- How to evaluate a contractor’s portfolio
- What makes a good siding contractor
- What Diamond Certified means
- What to look for in a James Hardie contractor
- Hiring a contractor for James Hardie siding
- The case for a local siding contractor
- Why not to skip hiring a professional
Contractor comparisons by area
- Best siding contractors in Sacramento
- Best siding contractors in the Bay Area
- Best siding contractors in Tahoe and Truckee
- Best window replacement companies in Sacramento
- Best window replacement companies in the Bay Area
Quotes, contracts and change orders
Most disputes on exterior jobs start with scope that was never written down. These explain how to read and compare bids.
- How to compare siding quotes
- Low bids vs. real value in siding quotes
- How to compare window replacement quotes
- How to get a real siding repair quote — handling what is found behind the wall.
- Allowances vs. change orders — what each should say in the contract.
Budget, financing and value
Published price ranges are on our cost guide.
- Setting a contingency budget — why the contract price is not the project price.
- Budgeting a James Hardie siding project
- Best siding on a budget
- Siding replacement financing and budget tips
- Financing options for siding and windows — contractor financing, HELOCs, personal loans and more.
- Our financing options
- Cost vs. value: is James Hardie worth it?
- James Hardie siding: pros, cons and ROI
- Does new siding increase home value in California?
- Is aging siding raising your energy bills?
Permits and codes
Whether a job needs a permit depends on the scope and your jurisdiction. These explain the common cases; the local building department has the final word.
- How California building codes affect siding projects
- Do you need a permit for retrofit windows?
- What Title 24 requires of new windows
- Tahoe siding permits and fire codes
- Truckee siding permits and regulations
Warranties and after the job
- How professional installation protects your warranty
- Siding warranties and after-job support
- Why local contractors give better warranty service
Insurance
Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the damage; your insurer decides any claim.
- Does insurance cover siding repair?
- Is siding damage covered by homeowner’s insurance?
- How siding affects home insurance in fire-prone areas
Choosing the look
- Choosing a James Hardie siding profile
- Vertical vs. horizontal siding
- Choosing a James Hardie house color
- Exterior color palettes that boost curb appeal
- How to choose a window style
Getting ready for install day
When you are ready
We give every estimate in writing, with the scope itemized, and explain how anything found behind the wall will be handled before work starts. Ask us for an estimate.
This page is an index of Heritage Exteriors’ planning guides. Licensing, contract and permit rules are set by California law and your local jurisdiction; the linked guides explain them, and the CSLB and your building department are the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check a contractor’s license in California?
Use the Contractors State License Board’s online license lookup at cslb.ca.gov. It shows whether the license is active, what classification it holds, and whether workers’ compensation and bond information is on file. Our licensing and insurance guide explains what each part means.
Why are my siding quotes so different?
Usually because each contractor priced a slightly different job. Trim, flashing, weather barrier, rot repair, paint, permits and disposal are often included in one bid and left out of another. Our quote-comparison guides show how to put every bid on the same list.
How much contingency should I budget for?
Enough to cover what can only be seen once the old siding is off, which is most often rot in the sheathing or framing. Our contingency budget guide explains how to size it and how the contract should handle it.
What is the difference between an allowance and a change order?
An allowance is an amount set aside in the contract for something that cannot be priced exactly yet. A change order is a written amendment when the scope changes after signing. Our allowance versus change order guide explains how each should be worded so neither side is surprised.
Does a siding or window project need a permit?
It depends on the scope and the jurisdiction. Window replacement is also subject to the California Energy Code, and some areas have fire-code requirements. Our permit guides cover the common cases, and your local building department has the final word.
Recent Heritage Exteriors Projects
A look at homes we have re-sided and re-glazed across Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe.
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★ Rated 4.9 from 69 Google reviews
★★★★★
Heritage replaced my old crumbling wood siding and did a fantastic job. From the first interactions assessing the project and providing a quote, to the project itself, was all exceptional. My home looks brand new.
Stacey Leanos
Sacramento, CA · Google
Sacramento, CA · Google
★★★★★
We recently had our house re-sided with Hardie product. We interviewed 3 companies, one of them being Heritage Exteriors. From our first meeting with David to the last day's work touching up paint, the experience was excellent.
Zane Anderson
Sacramento, CA · Google
Sacramento, CA · Google
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