The Chipmunk Tenants and a Chimney

The Problem. Cleo and Bill were having the exterior of their Oconomowoc home painted when the painter brought to their attention damaged wood spots near the chimney. A repair was needed to continue painting the exterior; the painter removed the damaged boards only to find the wood behind the siding was noticeably waterlogged and rotting in an area far larger than he was comfortable repairing. They needed a contractor.

Due to the expeditious nature of this issue, the couple were concerned they would become victims of price gouging from contractors. Unsurprisingly, their search turned into a series of high-pressure sales meetings from multiple contractors who each wanted to replace all of the siding on that side of the home. Having heard the same sales pitch repeatedly, none of the contractors took the time to thoroughly walk through what exactly was happening, why, and how to fix it. Ultimately, Cleo and Bill didn’t feel like their best interest was the goal of the contractors.

The Solution. Enter Guardian Exteriors! Cleo and Bill explained, “right from the very start, the experience with Guardian was completely different than anyone else we had met with” and that the “representative from Guardian was 100% focused on our wants and needs.” This was vital for them to select a contractor.

After performing a thorough inspection of the chimney, roof, and siding, the experts from Guardian honed in on what exactly was the issue and walked through what was needed to fix it. To Cleo and Bill’s relief, that did NOT include replacing the siding on that entire side of the house. Happy with their interactions, they entrusted Guardian with their home’s needs.

Due to pandemic-related material shortages, the availability for some materials was delayed, but Guardian’s installer visited to fix the leak to prevent additional water damage, for which Cleo and Bill were grateful.

Challenges arose as the project moved forward. After opening up the siding, they found the rot and water damage to be much worse than they had expected and a nest of chipmunks were living in the wall. With additional damage being uncovered, Cleo and Bill had more on their plate to handle. Guardian provided options for them to best fit their financial needs while still fixing the leak and damage.

Guardian replaced the chimney chase siding with new LP composite siding, along with two walls that tied into the chimney. While doing so, additional substrate and structural rot was addressed, and the chimney cap and flashing were replaced to eliminate the source of the leak and rot.

The Result. Cleo and Bill explained that they are 100% sure all of their problems have been completely resolved due to Guardian’s work, and they will never have to worry about it again. A huge relief!

In the end, the couple expressed how much they appreciated the communication and customer service Guardian provided. Because of their trust and confidence in Guardian’s workmanship, they have already signed up for a second project and hope for a third later in the year.

Wauwatosa Roofing Project

Don’t buy a roof from roofing salespeople.
Do what this Wauwatosa homeowner did instead to address their roofing issues.

Name: Guardian Inc.
Address: 4401 S Kansas Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53235, US
Telephone: (414) 226-5619
Price range: $

The homeowners of the Wauwatosa home (pictured above) saved thousands of dollars by getting unbiased advice regarding their roofing project.

Roofing salespeople make money when you buy what they sell. The more you buy, the more money they make. Isn’t there an inherent conflict of interest?

That’s why we don’t have salespeople here at Guardian, Inc. and that’s why we can save Wauwatosa homeowners money on their home improvement projects.

At Guardian you meet with Certified Home Advisors that work with you to determine the proper solution for your home that meets your goals & budget. If a simple repair is all you need, that’s what will be recommended. Typical salespeople will never suggest a repair. They don’t make money from repairs.

Don’t take our word for it. Read the case study below.

Reasons for Project

Granule loss and excessive wear on shingles; roof to wall flashing issues causing major concerns for potential roof leaks.

The existing roof on the homeowner’s house was old and was displaying definite signs of wear. Granule loss on the roofing shingles were noticeable on various parts of the roof. The roof-to-wall flashings were deteriorating and needed to be addressed.

The granules on a roofing shingle is a key component of the protective barrier that protect the roof structure. If left unattended, the loss of granules expose the sub-barrier to the elements. Harmful UV rays from the sun will cause accelerated deterioration of the sub-barrier to the point of cracking, which will allow moisture to infiltrate the main structure of the roof, thereby causing water damage to the interior structures.

The flashings from the roof to the wall are also critical components designed to keep moisture from entering the walls. If the flashings are compromised, moisture can easily get into the walls causing damage.

Homeowner Goals:

One of the main goals of the homeowner was finding a roofing contractor who would truly listen to their needs and concerns regarding their roof. Understandably, they wanted a solution that both met their goals and budget. They were concerned about being “sold” a solution that didn’t meet their needs and thus overspending on their roofing project. They really didn’t want to deal with a typical roofing salesperson.

The homeowner wanted a solution that would last 10+ years with warranty, because they have plans of moving in the near future. Understandably, they did not want to spend more for a project designed to last 20 + years. However, since the 20+ year product makes salespeople more money, that’s what every other roofing company was trying to sell them. The other roofers that they met with simply tried to “sell” them a specific project and ignored their needs.

Solution:

Because we don’t have salespeople, we have developed a collaborative process that involves lengthy discussions with the homeowner to ensure that we completely understand their specific needs and goals. This process ensures that we are able to design a roofing solution that fully meets this homeowner’s needs and budget.

Additionally, since we carry all of the major roofing manufacturer products, we were able to design a project specification for the homeowner that would get them their desired outcome of a roof with a useful life of 10+ years, while staying within their budget and spending the least amount possible on high-quality products. Other roofing companies who have limited selection, just tried to push the only solution that they had on the homeowner so that they could make the sale.

The end result is that this homeowner saved thousands of dollars on their roofing project.

Is Your Roof Exhibiting Signs of Wear?

Click here to see typical problems we are finding during inspections of homes in your neighborhood.

See Common Neighborhood Roofing Issues

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How to Evaluate a Contractor

The SMART Way to Properly Evaluate Home Improvement Contractors
& Their Estimates

Contractors continue to be one of the most complained about industries in the United States. Unfortunately, it is all too common for customers to be trapped into a bad situation, which can result in huge loss of money, tremendous stress, and unbearable amounts of frustration. Don’t get stuck in this situation, go into the process well-educated and ready to hire a contractor like a pro! To make this easy for you, we’ve developed a five-step process called SMART to avoid the most common tricks used by contractors today.

Download the SMART Doc

Here’s a summary of the SMART process:

1. SPECIFICS

The start to a bad relationship with your contractor is a vague contract or estimate. Your contractor needs to be specific, describing every detail of the potential work. The Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission have written advisories for getting a written contract or estimate. Both write that it must be a thorough description of the work to be done, with full details about start and completion dates, total cost, a payment schedule, and the contractor’s information.

Never sign a contract without reading it carefully. If any information seems to be missing, don’t let it slide. Continue asking for specifics until you are satisfied. And make sure you a retain a copy of the contract once its signed, and file it for your records. By having everything in writing, it prevents the contractor from going back on his word. It holds the contractor accountable for the specifics of what they said they were going to do.

2. MULTIPLE OPTIONS

Nobody likes buying something that doesn’t work the way you want it to. This can be frustrating for even the smallest purchases, much less a huge construction project. The key to avoid this dissatisfaction is to be properly educated on your options so you can be confident you are making the right decision. This can be difficult, however, when a contractor only provides you with 1-2 product options.

If salespeople only show you a couple of options, this is a big red flag, and shows an obvious bias. Your contractor should be doing everything in their power to provide you the best product for your project, not just the one where they get a commission. Only a company that offers multiple options from many manufacturers can truly provide you with the highest quality and most cost-effective solution for your home.

3. ACCURACY OF INITIAL INSPECTION

When contractors don’t fully inspect your home, they can easily misquote you with the intent of “discovering” more work, which means more money, after the job has started. A successful home improvement project starts with a thorough inspection. An inspection should include a close look at all the factors that led to the current home condition, and all the components.

For example, for a roofing project, your contractor should closely inspect the roof, which typically includes walking on it. They should also conduct a thorough attic examination to see the condition of the wood decking. For window or siding projects, careful examination of the wall assembly, flashings, penetrations, and overall building is absolutely critical. Other projects have specific aspects that should be examined as well.

Your contractor should also be taking photos for reference, and ask questions about whether you have pets or children so they know where to be careful. Never hire a contractor before this through inspection is done, and be sure to demand a review of an inspection report to evaluate the recommendations in the estimate.

4. RELIABILITY

Protect yourself from getting swindled by making sure the contractor’s company is legitimate and reputable. It is unfortunately common for some contractors to make promises they don’t keep, take advance payments and never complete the job, or don’t finish the job within a reasonable time period.

Never trust a contractor by his appearance alone – demand to see a all necessary certifications. Contractors should show you their Certificate of Insurance, Division Safety & Buildings registration card, lien Waivers, Better Business Bureau Listing, among others. Look them up online on Yelp, Google, Angie’s List, and more, to see what other customer have to say. All reputable contractors should have lists of references, so call a few of them to double check. Conduct your proper due-diligence to ensure the contractor is fully qualified and avoid some nightmares down the road.

5. TACTICS IN SALES MANIPULATION

Home improvement salespeople can be perpetrators of sales tricks just like any other salespeople. These can include long, high-pressure sales presentations, discounts only available if you buy today, huge price drops, bait-and switch, and more. The home improvement industry uses a full arsenal of sales tricks. Be extremely wary and skeptical of companies that subject you to high pressure sales techniques. Trust your instincts! If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t, and never be pressured into making a snap decision. A reputable company will always give you the time and space to allow you to make the best decision for your home

What To Do Next

If you have already begun getting estimates from home improvement companies, take every estimate and evaluate it next to the SMART guidelines. You can download the full document here. If you’ve haven’t started the process, use the information in the SMART document as a guide on how to properly screen contractors prior to inviting them to your home. Take the time to do your research beforehand, and you’ll be very grateful when you have a great contractor who provides an excellent finished product!

If you have any questions at all, please contact us and we’ll do our best to answer those questions for you.

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Guardian Shows Milwaukee Homeowners a Better Way to Buy Home Improvements

As seen in…

Read article on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Site

Guardian Shows Milwaukee Homeowners a Better Way to Buy Home Improvements

A local home improvement company breaks sharply from the negative industry norms and is transforming the home improvement industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MILWAUKEE – Unfortunately, some of the biggest investments homeowners make in their homes often result in disappointment, but Guardian Exteriors has an answer. As a top Milwaukee roofing, siding, and window replacement company, Guardian regularly works with homeowners to produce the best possible home improvement solutions by identifying and accounting for the homeowner’s true needs.

Doing away with the secrecy, scripting, manipulation, and deception typical of other companies, the five-step Guardian approach consistently produces results that no competitor can match. Likely the only option of its kind in the country, the Guardian process is ensuring that more Milwaukee window replacement, roofing, and siding projects produce long-lasting, value-enhancing success and is helping to transform the industry in a highly positive way.

“Nervousness is understandably common among those faced with the need to spend thousands of dollars on a new roof, siding, or windows,” Guardian representative Joe Martis said, “Unfortunately, the usual means of arranging for such important investments tilt the odds unfavorably against the homeowner, with dissatisfaction being an all-too-common result. Guardian was founded to show people throughout the Milwaukee area that there is a better way to purchase home improvements, and we’re proud to be leading the industry in a positive new direction.”

With a nationwide 2014 survey of Angie’s List members reporting an average professional roof replacement cost of over $11,000, such projects are obviously not to be taken lightly. Studies that follow up on major home improvement work, though, consistently report that miscommunication and unrealized goals are common, leaving many homeowners dissatisfied with the work they spend so much money on.

Guardian’s own research into the matter has revealed that such problems can almost always be traced back to some combination of a few deficits inherent in the usual home-improvement buying process. For one thing, typical home improvement contractors of windows, siding, and roofing often employ secrecy against their potential customers, making it impossible for homeowners to accurately compare the available options. Overly scripted sales processes are designed to funnel homeowners into whichever arrangements are most convenient and profitable for the contractors instead of accounting for the unique needs of each homeowner.

A third common source of trouble is that manipulative, high-pressure sales tactics can lead homeowners to accept proposals that do not serve their best interests. Finally, outright deception in the buying process is also widespread, as with job quotes that come with made-up expiration dates or other means of dishonestly influencing purchasing decisions.

The exclusive Guardian process was designed to do away with these stumbling blocks in a direct, fundamental way, thereby offering up a better buy way to buy home improvement. Thanks to strong relationships with a huge range of manufacturers, Guardian gives clients transparent, informed access to the whole range of available options.

Building on a thorough, on-site inspection that accounts specifically for common sources of trouble like attic-related issues, building envelope issues, venting issues, etc. the company also develops a detailed, strategic, needs-informed proposal for every Milwaukee siding, roofing, or window replacement job. Being educated about each situation and the available options, Guardian clients benefit from the kind of home improvement work that has led the area in satisfaction rates for several years. Those interested can learn more about the unique Guardian approach at the company’s website and are invited to submit questions using the contact information found there.

About Guardian, Inc.:
For over twenty years, the people at Guardian has been raising roofing, siding, and door and window replacement standards throughout the Milwaukee metro area. Guardian does away with the frustrations, deception, and sales pressure that are otherwise so common, giving homeowners a better way to buy home improvements.

Media Contact:
Joe Martis
Guardian, Inc.
4401 S Kansas Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53235
Telephone: (414) 226-5619
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://guardianexts.com/

Vinyl Siding in Milwaukee: A Quick Guide to Seeing the Real Essence

Vinyl siding have been getting quite a bad rap for a long time over various issues. However, things are turning around, as an article in the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror claims:

Chances are, you’ve seen and heard a lot about vinyl siding on home renovation television shows, in magazines and in your neighborhood. Once seen as a drab and boring alternative to aluminum siding, vinyl siding is now driving new design trends, effortlessly adapting to any architectural home style. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, vinyl siding is a hot home exterior material, appearing on nearly one third of all new homes built in 2012, more than any other cladding material. Still unsure about vinyl siding?

Residents of Milwaukee can relate with the usage of vinyl siding. The city and the great state of Wisconsin, in particular, have a vast array of home improvement options and vinyl siding is often seen as a cost-effective one. When you are in the market for cladding up your house with a fresh layer before winter sets in, Milwaukee siding experts like Guardian Home Exteriors have the capability of installing the proper siding solutions for you.

Cheap but Not Really Cheap-looking

The article touched on the viewpoint of vinyl siding posting a cheap-looking appearance despite its affordability. However, the Vinyl Siding Institute has certified at least 300 colors that will work on vinyl siding, all of which are resistant to long-term fading; they are also engineered to replicate the appearance of siding products made with natural components, such as wood. In many cases, new vinyl siding that are machined like the original siding may increase resale value.

Resilient and Sturdy

Vinyl siding have plus points working for them in terms of sturdiness. Many siding products have been certified to last up to 30 years, are touted as maintenance-free, and are easy to clean with a soap-and-water mix. Vinyl siding is already resilient to cold, but a siding contractor will plan ahead on providing space for the siding to contract or expand.

You shouldn’t be ashamed of decking your house in vinyl siding, no matter what people may say. A skilled Milwaukee siding company such as Guardian will go the extra mile to ensure your house sports the appearance visitors yearn for.

(Article and image excerpt from from Myth busters: Why vinyl siding is America’s hottest home design feature, Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror, July 18, 2013)

(414) 250-0856

16920 W Cleveland Ave. New Berlin, WI 53151