Have you been pricing siding services in the last few months and feeling like you can handle this process yourself? We strongly urge you to rethink that idea. It's one that costs many homeowners far too much in repair and maintenance costs and is something that you simply can't afford to do. Thankfully, we're here to help you better understand why it's best to trust in experts instead. Keep reading to learn more.

It's More Expensive

According to Modernize, a listing directory and home improvement advice provider, the average vinyl siding installation cost for a one-story, 1,800-square-foot home is $4,559. It costs $1-8 per square foot for this installation. We've seen that trying to tackle this project yourself will cost more.

How is that possible? Well, first of all, you'll have to buy all that material yourself and get it delivered to your home. Do you know what your contractor has that you don't? Access to lower-priced goods from various teams and an understanding of pricing models.

Furthermore, you're likely to have to call in a professional team after your installation is over. Why is that the case? Well, there's a strong likelihood that you're going to make mistakes when installing your siding. After all, if you're new to this process, it's something you might learn by trial and error.

Errors Are More Likely

Speaking of errors, DIY siding installation is more likely to cause serious problems than save you money. Installing siding properly requires the right techniques and tools. There are numerous steps involved in the process and various considerations to keep in mind. When siding is installed, underlayment must be installed first. This layer makes the siding more moisture-resistant and more resilient to siding damage from natural occurrences like tree branch scraping.

Additionally, you could end up driving the nails too tightly, spacing the nails out too far, or not using enough nails. Even worse, you could make mistakes like improper siding placement or stylistic issues. Instead of allowing the opportunity for errors to occur, why not work with professionals? Siding professionals will be able to complete the project efficiently and without errors.

Bad Installation Could Threaten Your Home

Many homeowners watch siding professionals installing panels and think it's something that they can do themselves. However, the ease with which siding experts install your home's siding is misleading. They're experts with years of experience who understand this process innately.

Even if you have some basic DIY skills, siding installation likely lies far outside your capabilities. Unfortunately, improper installation isn't just an embarrassing situation but a dangerous one. For example, loose siding panels could easily let in water and cause severe damage to your home's walls.

That could, in turn, lead to problems like mold growth, structural wear and tear, and even foundation problems. Every element of your home is important for its structural integrity. If you start messing around with things like your siding, you're more likely to cause real damage issues.

It Could Negatively Impact Your Curb Appeal

Let's be honest here, you're probably installing new siding because yours is old and ugly. It's a common reason for new siding installation, and getting this process wrong can be a real issue. For example, it can make your home uglier than if you'd just left the siding alone.

Even if you know the basic process for installing siding, your service professionals know little steps that can improve it. These include careful layering techniques and methods that make your siding more professional looking. They also know which siding looks best for your home.

Even if you successfully install siding on your home and save a little money, it's going to look a little off to others. They might not know exactly what's wrong with it, but they'll feel the difference. As a result, it's just best to contact a professional for the best possible results.

There's a High Risk of Personal Injury

Do you know how to safely climb ladders, install scaffolding, and work high up on your home removing and replacing siding panels? Probably not, and trying to learn on the job isn't a wise choice. Siding professionals typically have years of experience and training before trying this step themselves.

Furthermore, the best siding services also understand various safety techniques that minimize their risk. For example, they know various anchoring systems that keep them from falling and buddy system concepts that help them avoid dangers. Since you're not a professional siding installation expert, it's unlikely you have these skills. Consequently, it's critical to let professionals do their job to avoid injury. After all, you wouldn't let your buddy perform brain surgery on you without a medical license.

Material Investment Could Be Expensive

Do you have a ladder, scaffolding, power drill, power saw, fastener, gloves, safety goggles, saw horses, and other important building equipment? If you don't, you may plan on buying it for your siding project. It might seem nice on the surface to have these items around after your installation is over, but let's be real here. Are you ever going to use these tools again? Unless you're a pretty heavy weekend building warrior or a professional construction expert, probably not.

More likely, they're going to sit and rust in your garage and waste even more of your precious money. Even if you save a little money on work hours by buying equipment and doing your installation yourself, if that equipment mostly goes to waste, are you saving money at all? Especially if you have to throw it away after a few years?

You Could Reduce Your Energy Efficiency

One of the biggest problems we find when people try doing siding installation themselves is efficiency issues. Simply put, there's a fine art to installing siding around your windows and doors. If you don't take these steps properly, you're likely to cause serious drafts in your home.

These drafts are likely to make your home uncomfortable, though they may be hard to identify. You might feel colder during the winter without understanding what's going on. Your heating bills are also likely to jump significantly and end up costing you even more money to keep your home cozy.

Even worse, there's a real risk you probably don't know how to install insulation in and around your siding. This insulation helps to provide even more efficiency and decreases your energy waste. If you don't properly install it or don't add any at all, you're going to suffer and need real expert help.

Just how much of a problem is this efficiency issue? You might end up spending far more than you expect or budget for on your heating and cooling every year. That's a huge waste of money you simply can't tolerate. When you call a professional to install your siding for you, you don't have to worry about energy efficiency losses.

These issues make DIY siding a really bad idea and reinforce the importance of skilled siding services. Simply put, working with a team of skilled experts can minimize serious errors and ensure everything goes smoothly and efficiently for you. If you're still on the fence here, please don't hesitate to contact Dillman Brothers to learn more about the best siding options for your home or business.