Frequently Asked Questions

Most residential siding projects take 3 to 7 business days from first day on-site to final cleanup. Exact timing depends on home size, material choice, and whether we are replacing existing siding or working on new construction. Fiber cement installations run slightly longer than vinyl due to the additional steps required for priming, cutting, and sealing. We provide a written schedule with your proposal so you know exactly what to expect each day.

You do not need to be home every day of the project. We do ask that you or a representative be available on the first morning so we can walk through the scope together and answer any last-minute questions. After that, our crew can work independently. We send daily progress updates via text or email, and we will always reach out before making any decisions that affect the scope or budget. Many of our customers are at work all week and check in on progress through photos we send each afternoon.

We pull all required permits on your behalf. In most DuPage, Kane, and Will County municipalities, a permit is required for full siding replacement. Our team handles the application, coordinates any required inspections, and ensures the project closes properly with your local building department. You receive copies of all permit documentation for your records. We do not skip this step — unpermitted siding work can create problems at resale.

Our free estimate includes a full on-site assessment of your current siding condition, a measurement of all exterior square footage, identification of any substrate or moisture damage that needs to be addressed, and a detailed line-item written proposal. We present multiple material options with pricing so you can make an informed decision. We never use vague "starting at" pricing — every proposal we deliver breaks down labor, materials, disposal, permit costs, and any known repairs separately.

James Hardie fiber cement is our top recommendation for the Chicago area. The freeze-thaw cycle that Illinois winters produce is hard on materials that expand and contract dramatically with temperature swings. Fiber cement is engineered to resist cracking, warping, and moisture intrusion under those conditions. It also resists insect damage, which matters in the suburban woodlands of DuPage and Kane counties. LP SmartSide engineered wood is an excellent second choice for homeowners who prefer a wood aesthetic with enhanced durability.

Fiber cement is denser, more impact resistant, and holds paint longer than vinyl. It does not dent from hail or warp in extreme heat the way some vinyl profiles can. The trade-off is cost: fiber cement installation is more labor intensive, which is why it typically runs 40–60% more than vinyl for the same home. Vinyl remains a strong choice for budget-conscious projects or investment properties. Both materials carry solid warranties when installed by a certified contractor.

ColorPlus Technology is James Hardie's factory-applied paint finish system. Rather than painting siding on-site after installation, the boards arrive from the factory with multiple coats of oven-baked finish that penetrates deeply into the fiber cement surface. ColorPlus carries a 15-year warranty against chipping, cracking, and peeling — significantly longer than any field-applied paint warranty. It also ensures perfectly uniform color across every board. We recommend ColorPlus for most projects because it reduces future maintenance and looks sharper on completion day.

Yes. Fiber cement accepts exterior paint well, and repainting is a straightforward process when the time comes. For ColorPlus-finished boards, James Hardie recommends waiting until the factory finish has aged and you begin to see fading before repainting — typically 10 to 15 years. When you do repaint, use a 100% acrylic exterior paint and follow Hardie's application guidelines to maintain coverage over the fiber cement surface. Repainting is far simpler than residing and gives you a fresh look without replacing the substrate.

Getting started is simple. Call us at (630) 555-0214, fill out the estimate form on our contact page, or send an email to [email protected]. We will schedule a free on-site assessment at a time that works for you, typically within 5 business days of your request. After the assessment, we deliver your written proposal within 48 hours. Once you approve the scope, we order materials and schedule your project start date — lead times vary by season but we keep you informed every step of the way.

We document any hidden damage with photos and contact you before proceeding. Rotted sheathing, damaged house wrap, or deteriorated framing members must be repaired before new siding goes on — otherwise the new material will fail prematurely. We provide a written change order with the additional scope and cost before any repair work begins. You decide whether to proceed. We never make undisclosed repairs and bill for them after the fact. Transparency is how we operate, even when it means delivering uncomfortable news mid-project.

We take site protection seriously. Before work begins, we lay protective tarps over shrubs, HVAC units, patios, decks, and any other ground-level features near the work area. Siding removal generates a significant volume of debris, and we keep it contained and hauled away daily to prevent damage and trip hazards. At the end of each workday, we sweep the perimeter with a magnet roller to pick up any nails or screws. On completion day, we do a final walk-through with you to verify the site is clean and nothing has been damaged.

Yes. Our team has extensive experience navigating hail and wind damage claims with homeowners insurance carriers. We document the damage thoroughly with photos and measurements, provide a detailed scope of loss that aligns with insurance industry estimating standards, and communicate directly with your adjuster as needed. We do not charge separately for this assistance — it is part of how we serve our customers. If you have received an adjuster's estimate that you feel is incomplete, we can review it and help you understand your options before you sign off on the settlement.

Every Ridgeline Exteriors project comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty that covers defects in installation — things like improper nailing patterns, inadequate flashing, or sealant failures at penetrations. This warranty is fully transferable if you sell your home within the coverage period. In addition to our workmanship warranty, the materials themselves carry manufacturer warranties: James Hardie offers a 30-year non-prorated product warranty, and CertainTeed vinyl siding carries a lifetime limited warranty. We register all manufacturer warranties on your behalf immediately after project completion.

Yes. Ridgeline Exteriors has held James Hardie Preferred Contractor status since 2013. This designation requires passing Hardie's rigorous installation certification program, maintaining proper licensing and insurance, and demonstrating a consistent record of quality installations. As a Preferred Contractor, we are authorized to offer the full James Hardie product warranty. Homeowners who use non-certified installers may receive a reduced warranty — sometimes as little as 5 years versus the full 30. Working with a Preferred Contractor is the only way to guarantee full coverage.

The James Hardie warranty can be voided by improper installation (which is why using a Preferred Contractor matters), failure to prime cut ends and field-painted boards within a specified period, painting over ColorPlus with a non-approved paint within the warranty window, and physical damage caused by impact or improper cleaning methods. The warranty does not cover damage from structural settling, foundation movement, or modification of the product after installation. We walk every customer through the maintenance guidelines at project completion so you know exactly how to protect your warranty coverage.

Yes. Our 5-year workmanship warranty is fully transferable to a subsequent owner within the coverage period. The James Hardie product warranty is also transferable once during the warranty period. To transfer a Hardie warranty, the new homeowner registers the transfer with James Hardie within 30 days of the sale — we provide all documentation needed to complete that process. A transferable warranty can be a meaningful selling point when listing your home, and we can provide a warranty summary letter for your real estate disclosures upon request.

Our commercial division handles a wide range of project scales, from small strip mall renovations and single-building office exteriors to large multi-family communities with hundreds of units. We have completed projects ranging from 8,000 square feet of new construction cladding to multi-phase HOA community contracts exceeding 400,000 square feet across multiple buildings and seasons. Our project management infrastructure is built for commercial complexity — we run detailed material schedules, dedicated site superintendents, and phase-by-phase inspection documentation throughout.

Yes. Occupied-building projects require careful sequencing and communication, and we have developed proven protocols for working in these environments. We coordinate building-by-building or section-by-section scheduling with property managers to minimize disruption. We provide advance notice letters or door hangers to tenants before work begins on their unit's exterior. We avoid early morning starts on occupied residential buildings and are responsive to resident concerns throughout the project. Our teams are trained to maintain clean, organized job sites in occupied environments where common areas and parking lots remain in use.

Absolutely. HOA boards and their property management companies are among our most important commercial clients. We understand how HOA decision-making works — reserve studies, board votes, owner notification requirements, and the need for clear communication at every stage. We attend board meetings to present proposals and answer questions, provide detailed project documentation for your reserve fund records, and offer multi-phase scheduling that aligns with your annual assessment and budget cycle. Many of our HOA relationships span multiple communities managed by the same property management firm.

The fastest way to request a commercial bid is to call our main line at (630) 555-0214 and ask to speak with our commercial projects team, or submit a request through our contact page with as much detail as possible about your property type, approximate scope, and project timeline. We aim to schedule an initial site walk within 5 business days. For larger or more complex projects, we typically conduct two site visits — one for initial assessment and one for detailed measurement — before submitting a formal proposal. All commercial bids are provided at no charge.