Boak & Sons

Question #1

What does insulation really do?
A well-insulated home, particularly one that is insulated with fiber glass insulation, is one of the most cost-effective ways of saving energy and reducing heating and cooling bills while adding to the thermal and acoustical comfort of a home.

Question #2

Why do I need a professional to install my insulation?
To do the job properly is the short answer. The professional will install the correct amount of insulation you need and avoid the common mistakes that cause air filtration or making the house "too tight". Improperly installed insulation can cause you to spend too much on heating/cooling or even cause structural damage to the house due to humidity or moisture build up. The professional will do the job right the first time.

Question #3

What is R-Value?
Insulation is identified and labeled by R-Value. "R" stands for resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the greater the insulation power. 

Question #4

Does a company have to be lead certified for certain jobs?

Yes, the new EPA rule states that on or after April 22, 2010, firms working in pre-1978 homes and child occupied facilities must be certified and use lead-safe practices during renovations. Boak & Sons has obtained this certification and will follow EPA lead-safe guidelines for jobs that require such treatment.

Question #1

How long has the contractor been in business?
They should be in business for at least 3 years, but experience grows with time (Boak & Sons has been in business for over 30 years).

Question #2

Does the contractor meet local legal requirements for licensing and insurance?
Numerous cities and townships require registration, and a good company should have liability insurance (Boak & Sons does).

Question #3

Who does your work, do you use subcontractors?
It is usually better to have a company with its own employees because the control and quality is better (Boak & Sons does this).

Question #4

Are your employees covered under workman's compensation insurance?
This is very important and should be in writing on your contract. Ask to see their current Workers Comp Certificate.  This is to protect you if a worker gets hurt on the job (Boak & Sons does this).

Question #5

What kind of labor warranty do you give and how long is it?
Most labor warranties should be at least three years and it is only as good as the company that gives it. Ones that have been in business for an extended period of time are your best bet (Boak & Sons gives a five year warranty).

Question #6

Is it O.K. to cover over old shingles?
It is much easier and faster to cover over old shingles, but Boak & Sons does not. This is because most of the time the flashing, the pipe boots, and the valleys do not get the attention they need. Bad or wet wood stays hidden to make a nice home for ants and termites. Covering old shingles does not stop them from deteriorating or decaying. We feel it is best not to cover old shingles.

Question #7

How do your employees get paid?
Most roofers get paid by the square, how many shingles, or how much siding they do a day. But we found, at Boak & Sons, paying by the house generates the highest quality of work and less chance of problems down the road. Remember you get what you pay for.

Question #8

Do you belong to the Better Business Bureau and Home Builders Association?
It is important to belong to the Better Business Bureau to let people know your track record. Not that you have never made a mistake, but did you fix that mistake? Boak & Sons has belonged to the Better Business Bureau for many years.  It is equally important that your contractor belong to the HBA; Boak & Sons has been a member since 1984.

Question #9

How do you know you are dealing with a good company?
We feel that you need to check for worker's compensation, member of the Better Business Bureau, and the company's place of business to see if they have a building, office, trucks, and equipment to take care of your job as well as it should be. Boak & Sons has an  office and warehouse on Victoria Road. Boak & Sons strives to be a service-oriented company, to serve our customers.

Question #10

What do you do with old shingles taken off of my house?
It is important that the contractor cleans everything up and hauls everything away. Some companies have big dumpsters dropped off in their customers yards or driveways. This can be a problem with blocking the driveway for sometimes over a week before it is picked up. Sometimes they leave big marks on the driveway. Boak & Sons uses their own dump truck to haul the trash away.

Question #1

How does vinyl siding compare with other siding materials?
In a way, it's almost no contest. When compared to wood, brick, stone, stucco, and metal siding on the basis of initial cost, maintenance costs, appearance, durability and value, vinyl siding is clearly superior.
We offer a broad range of vinyl siding products, so you can choose one that's easily affordable. Whichever you choose, you can expect the highest quality and workmanship with lasting beauty and most vinyl siding never needs painting or staining. It does not chip, peel, dent or rot, so you can forget costly repairs. Just rinse occasionally with a garden hose.
In addition, vinyl sidings are backed by a strong warranty. And because vinyl is the preferred siding for more and more homeowners, it retains most of its installed cost. Moreover, premium vinyl siding provides all the beauty of expensive wood sidings with your choice of smooth or grained surfaces; rich, low-gloss colors; and a variety of classic siding profiles.

Question #2

Isn't it less costly to just repaint my home?
If you plan to move within the next three years, the answer is probably "yes". But if you plan to stay in your home longer than that, the calculations begin to heavily favor vinyl siding.
Of course, if your home has special problems - for example, warped clapboards that have to be replaced or lead-based paint that has to be scraped and sanded off - the cost of painting can become truly staggering.
Compare the ongoing costs of painting every three to five years to a one-time investment in new vinyl siding. For most homeowners the conclusion is obvious - vinyl siding is by far the better long-term value.

Question #3

Is vinyl siding really as durable as everyone says?
Absolutely. The correct technical name for the material used in vinyl siding is polyvinyl chloride. It's a strong, durable, proven material that has earned a solid reputation for its beauty and permanence. It's used in automotive applications, medical devices, defense weapons, appliances, floor coverings and of course, home construction.
It's ideal as an exterior material because vinyl siding doesn't rot, crack, dent or warp. Plus it never peels or blisters. And because the color goes completely through most siding, it never has to be scraped, sanded or painted.

Question #4

Is one season better than another to have my new siding installed?
Not really. You can have your vinyl siding installed in any season, as your schedule and budget allows. But keep in mind that some contractors are more available during the off-seasons. Regardless of when you have your new siding installed, you'll enjoy the immediate benefits of improved appearance, as well as the long-term benefits of durability and easy maintenance.

Question #5

How do I maintain my vinyl siding?
It's simple. There really is no maintenance, just occasional cleaning.
Ordinarily, the cleaning action of a rainfall will be adequate to wash your vinyl siding. However, vinyl siding and soffit should be washed periodically by hosing with a garden hose and clear water, particularly in those areas not exposed directly to rain.

Question #6

How does the cost of vinyl compare to the added resale value it provides?
In terms of adding resale value to your home, vinyl siding is one of the best investments you can make. Exterior improvements such as the installation of vinyl siding make a home more attractive on the market and will cause the house to sell quicker for more money.
Another point to keep in mind: if, like many homeowners, you add insulation to an older home at the same time you're having vinyl siding installed, you add even greater value and market appeal to your home.

Question #7

How do I choose a reputable contractor?
First and foremost, make an informed decision. Require references and look at previous work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors or friends who have recently re-sided their houses are an excellent start. You may also want to ask about liability insurance, customer satisfaction policies and professional credentials. Choose someone you trust, someone qualified to perform the task required, and someone you can work with comfortably.

Question #8

Why Choose Boak and Sons, Inc.?
At Boak and Sons we strive for quality, in order to keep our high standard of quality...you have to keep your quality of employees.

• Unlike most of our competition who pay their workers by the square footage installed, Boak and Sons pays our employees by the hour.
• We conduct pre-employment drug testing on all new hires to insure safe and quality workmanship.
• All of our employees are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance and that is clearly stated, in writing, on all our proposals.
• We cover our employee with full medical coverage; this is one of the best ways to maintain a constant work force that is dependable and dedicated to the company.
• Unlike most of our competition, we do not sub-contract our siding work. We use only our hourly employees.
• Boak and Sons has been in business for over 25 years.
• We are always in good standing with the Better Business Bureau of which we are members.
• We belong to the Home Builders Association and Samuel Boak, our president, sits on the Board.
• Boak and Sons gives a five (5) year labor warranty on all siding jobs.
• Boak and Sons uses only the highest quality materials on every job.

Question #9

So why choose Boak and Sons, Inc.?
Because you and your home only deserve the best!