(414) 250-0856

16920 W Cleveland Ave. New Berlin, WI 53151

(414) 250-0856

16920 W Cleveland Ave. New Berlin, WI 53151

(414) 226-5619

A Creative and Consultative Siding Experience

A Creative and Consultative Siding Experience

BEFORE

The Problem.
Mary and Shep’s home is beautifully crafted and unique with arches, textures and multiple levels. Many years ago, the city moved their street, making the back of their home the front. As a result, Mary and Shep wanted the new front of their house to have the same character as their original front, so they set off to execute their “20-year plan.”

Having an incredibly custom and unique project that required the deepest understanding and attention to detail on the selected contractor’s behalf, Mary and Shep knew it was crucial to select the right contractor. The work desired could have required at least three different trade contractors; getting a single company capable of such a task was a priority. Multiple companies they called on attempted to change their plans and change the products they desired – a frustrating experience for any homeowner making such a large investment.

AFTER

The Solution.
Guardian brought relief to the homeowners, as all aspects of the job could be executed without making changes or including other contractors. Having their vision for the whole house understood may have cost more, but, according to Mary and Shep was “worth every penny and more.”

They explained that the process of working with Guardian was a “creative, consultative experience and the only solution that would truly bring [their] vision to life.” Guardian was also able to provide custom carpentry solutions that the couple had hoped for but were repeatedly told would not be possible by other contractors.

Being that the project was extremely detailed, the process was not the fastest. The couple knew the transformation that their home was undergoing needed a steady pace, and they were impressed with Guardian’s crew for “expert installation of the painstaking details and quality of work.”

Despite complications as a result of work completed by a different contractor previously, Guardian’s crew kept communication open with the homeowners and took care of the issues to their satisfaction.

We asked if they would recommend Guardian to others, to which they stated “Definitely. The craftsmanship, time and effort that Guardian put into our project is second to none. We love the look of our home. It has truly been transformed into the architectural vision we always knew it was.”

How A Homeowner Saved Money Repairing His Cedar Siding Rather Than Replacing It

How A Homeowner Saved Money Repairing His Cedar Siding Rather Than Replacing It

BEFORE

The Problem.
Ron was interviewing contractors to have areas of damaged siding repaired on his two-story home. His priority was to repair the damaged areas to ensure that the condition to his siding and dormer would not worsen and that the work completed would be unnoticeable.

While speaking to and scheduling appointments with numerous contractors, Ron was encountering a reoccurring issue of no-shows. Inexplicably, contractors would set appointments to come out to Ron’s home to inspect the siding, and then proceed to simply not show up. Those who did keep their appointments were focused on wanting to sell Ron on very expensive brand-new siding for his home. This left Ron feeling unheard and frustrated.

AFTER

The Solution.
When Guardian visited Ron’s property, Ron’s needs were fully understood. Guardian presented two pricing options to fix the damage on his home: one for minor repair to the damaged sections of the cedar siding, and one pricing for new siding.

Being heard, Ron’s choice of minor repair was set into play. The color of Ron’s cedar siding is a beautiful custom color. Unfortunately, due to Covid-related supply-chain issues, the replacement product was delayed from the manufacturer. Despite Ron’s project not moving as quickly as the job would have pre-Covid, Guardian updated Ron weekly on the status on his siding’s arrival.

Once the siding arrived, Ron’s project went smoothly and quickly. Guardian gave Ron’s home the seamless repair that he had expressed was his biggest priority. We asked if Ron would recommend Guardian to others to which he exclaimed, “I was very pleased with the overall end result and would refer friends and family.”

Woodpecker Pest

Woodpecker Pest

The Problem. Mike and Christine’s 30-year-old New Berlin home was suffering significant woodpecker damage– enough that the birds were able to get behind the siding and nest. Clearly needing repairs, they saw the opportunity to transform their home’s exterior to the French Façade they’d always dreamed of having. It was important that the work they needed completed could be done by one single trustworthy contractor.

The couple met with several contractors who attempted to change their vision and upsell them. The meetings were impersonal, and they felt like a number to the contractors because their wants and desires were not being heard. The other contractors insisted on changing the style that they wanted, but that was simply not an option.

The Solution. The couple met with Guardian’s Certified Home Advisor—Bryan. Bryan listened and asked questions to best align himself with their wants, needs and desires. They talked through specific details such as colors, materials, and the install process to ensure that they were all were on the same page.

Bryan utilized images, links, samples, and material to really set the visuals so that everyone could see exactly what was going to be installed. This provided Mike and Christine with reassurance and confidence in Guardian because it demonstrated how committed Bryan was in making sure that they received exactly what Mike and Christine wanted. Bryan demonstrated a shared passion for Mike and Christine’s vision.

The job began and progressed with few complications. Any concern or question was addressed individually and thoroughly. If any areas where more cost-efficient options or an adjustment was suggested, all were discussed and followed to the exact specifications after being given the owner’s blessings.

The Result. Mike and Christine really appreciated how much the crew also strived to ensure things were exactly as they wanted. The communication, attention to detail and focus given by all parties involved made them feel that the entire team genuinely cared. They also noted they would recommend Guardian to others without hesitation.

“We Absolutely love our new french style home facade. It is everything we had ever dreamed of and more.”

The Chipmunk Tenants and a Chimney

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

Wauwatosa Roofing Project

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

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.

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Siding Nightmare – 80k in repair and replacement costs

Siding Nightmare – 80k in repair and replacement costs

This project started as a simple siding redesign project.  The house was 7 years old at time of project.  Owner was interested in creating a new exterior look with a mixed stone and fiber cement design to match the look of other high end homes in a prestigious neighborhood in Brookfield, Wisconsin.   The 7 year old house was designed and built by a well marketed ‘premiere’ builder of high-end homes in Southeastern Wisconsin.  Home owner called to get an estimate for siding redesign and decided to move ahead promptly with the project.  Only known problems were a recent incursion of ants into the lower back room of house that seemed to reappear after pest treatments.

 

Within a few minutes of the demolition phase it was evident there was Major construction defect problems with the siding and walls.  It was discovered that during original construction the windows and doors designed to be flush mounted to the siding were not properly flashed.  Additionally, low grade materials were used behind the siding and several short-cuts were taken during the original installation process.

 

As you can see from the pictures, there was major damage.  It was determined that the plastic sheathing ( internal vapor barrier ) prevented any of the moisture infiltration and damages from being evident inside the house.   The walls and insulation were filling up with and absorbing all the moisture over the years.  This resulted in structural damage to the framing and complete deterioration of the insulation and exterior wall sheathing.  There was substantial mold, mildew, and ant infestation in the wall cavities.

 

To remedy the problems, a total wall rebuild had to take place on the entire outside area of the house.  Walls had to be taken apart and rebuilt and insulated from the outside one wall at time.  In this process, it was discovered several other corners were cut and products miss-specified resulting in additional damages and premature failure of the roofing materials as well.  All in all, the damages resulting from poor workmanship and product miss-specification lead to an additional  $ 80,000 in replacement costs to replace damaged areas and replace components of home that failed prematurely.