Question 1

Quick Answer: The biggest red flags when hiring a siding contractor are no Louisiana contractor's license, cash-only payment, vague lump-sum estimates, same-day pressure tactics, and inability to show proof of insurance. After any storm, unlicensed out-of-state crews flood the New Orleans market. Knowing what to ask protects both your money and your home.
Why This Matters More in Louisiana Than Most States
Louisiana has a specific post-storm dynamic that homeowners need to understand before they hire anyone. After a significant hurricane or tropical storm, unlicensed contractors from other states — sometimes called "storm chasers" — move into affected areas and target homeowners who are desperate to get repairs done quickly.
Some of these crews do decent work. Many do not. And when the work is substandard, or when the contractor disappears before it's finished, the homeowner has little recourse if the company isn't licensed and bonded in the state.
This isn't just a post-storm problem. Unlicensed siding work happens year-round in Louisiana. The state requires licensing for contractors doing work above certain thresholds, and that licensing exists for a reason: it ensures a baseline of training, bonding, and accountability.
This guide walks through the 7 most reliable red flags, what a legitimate estimate includes, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
Key topics:

7 red flags to watch for before hiring
What a legitimate siding estimate should include
Questions to ask any contractor before signing
How to verify Louisiana licensing yourself

At a Glance

Verify license: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — lslbc.louisiana.gov — free public search
Residential license required: For projects over $75,000 contracted value; parish-level licensing applies below that
Always get in writing: Scope, materials, fastening spec, moisture barrier spec, payment schedule, timeline
Insurance to verify: General liability and workers' compensation certificates, not just verbal assurances
Turnkey Siding: Residential license #890459 | Commercial license #3667 — both verifiable on LSLBC

Red Flag 1: No Louisiana Contractor's License
This is the easiest thing to check and the most important. Louisiana requires contractors to hold a state license for projects above certain dollar thresholds, and many parishes have additional local licensing requirements.
Ask any contractor you're considering for their license number before the estimate even happens. If they can't provide it immediately, that's your answer. If they provide a number, verify it at lslbc.louisiana.gov. The search is free, takes 30 seconds, and shows the license status, classification, and expiration date.
An out-of-state contractor working in Louisiana without a Louisiana license is working illegally. If something goes wrong — defective work, property damage, incomplete project — you have very limited legal recourse against a company with no license and no bonding in this state.
Red Flag 2: Cash Only, No Written Contract
Legitimate businesses accept checks and credit cards and put their work in writing. Full stop.
A contractor who insists on cash only is either trying to avoid a paper trail or doesn't want to be traceable if something goes wrong. Either way, it's a hard pass.
A verbal agreement is not a contract. "We shook on it" is not a scope of work. When work starts without a written agreement, the homeowner has no documented basis to demand specific materials, a specific timeline, or anything beyond whatever the contractor feels like doing that day.
Red Flag 3: Vague Lump-Sum Estimates
A legitimate siding estimate is itemized. It specifies the material manufacturer and product line, the thickness or gauge, the number of squares being installed, the moisture barrier type, the fastening pattern, window and door trim details, and disposal of existing siding if applicable.
A lump-sum estimate — "$14,500 for all siding work" with no further detail — is a blank check. You have no way to verify what materials are being used, no basis for comparison against other bids, and no documentation if the crew shows up with lower-grade material than what was discussed.
If a contractor can't or won't provide a line-item estimate, move on.
Red Flag 4: Same-Day Pressure to Sign
"I can only hold this price until tonight" or "I have another job starting tomorrow and can't guarantee this slot" are sales tactics, not scheduling realities.
Legitimate contractors don't need to pressure you into signing the same day. They have a pipeline of work, they're confident in their pricing, and they want you to be comfortable before the job starts. The pressure tactic is a sign that either the price doesn't hold scrutiny against competitors, or the person needs your deposit fast for reasons that have nothing to do with your project.
Take 2 to 3 days to compare estimates. That's reasonable for any project in the $10,000-to-$25,000 range. Any contractor who won't wait that long isn't the right contractor.
Red Flag 5: Subcontractors You've Never Met or Approved
There's nothing inherently wrong with subcontracting. Large general contractors do it routinely. The red flag is when the contractor you hired shows up with an entirely different crew than expected — people you've never vetted, whose license status you don't know, and whose work you can't trace back to anyone accountable.
Ask before signing: "Do you subcontract siding installation, or does your own crew do the work?" If they subcontract, ask who the subcontractor is, whether you can meet them, and whether the sub is separately licensed. A contractor who can't answer this clearly is running a referral business, not an installation business.
Red Flag 6: No Permit Pulled
Major siding work in Louisiana parishes requires a permit in most jurisdictions. Permits exist so that a licensed building inspector can verify the work meets code — particularly moisture barrier installation, which affects the structural integrity of your home.
An unlicensed contractor often skips permits because applying for a permit exposes their lack of licensure. Even some licensed contractors skip permits to save the fee and avoid inspection delays. Both situations put the homeowner at risk.
If you sell your home and a buyer's inspector or appraiser asks for permit history on the siding work, a missing permit can become a transactional problem. Ask before work starts: "Will you pull a permit for this job?" If the answer is no, ask why. If the answer is vague, that's a red flag.
Red Flag 7: No Proof of Insurance
A siding crew working on your home is on your property, using ladders and tools, and potentially modifying the structure of your building. If someone gets hurt or something gets damaged and the contractor isn't insured, the liability lands on you.
Ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. The certificate should show general liability coverage and workers' compensation. It should name you as the certificate holder so you receive notification if the policy lapses. Call the insurance company directly to verify the policy is active — certificates can be forged.
This is a standard request. Any legitimate operation will have this documentation ready.
What a Legitimate Estimate Includes
A proper siding estimate specifies: the full scope of work in plain language, the manufacturer and product line for all materials being installed, panel thickness or gauge, the moisture barrier product and installation method, fastening pattern (spacing and type), whether existing siding is being removed and disposed of, window and door trim treatment, payment schedule tied to project milestones, and projected start and completion dates.
If an estimate is missing any of these, ask for the detail in writing before signing.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

Are you licensed in Louisiana? What's your license number?
Do you subcontract the installation, or does your own crew do the work?
Can you provide a certificate of insurance naming me as certificate holder?
Will you pull permits for this project?
Can you provide references from siding jobs completed in the last 12 months?
What moisture barrier are you using, and how is it installed?
What's your payment schedule? (Be cautious of anyone asking for more than 30% upfront)

These aren't adversarial questions. They're standard due diligence for a five-figure home improvement project. Any contractor worth hiring will answer all of them without hesitation.
FAQ
How do I verify a Louisiana contractor's license?

Accepted Answer

Visit lslbc.louisiana.gov and use the license verification search. You'll need the contractor's name or license number. The search shows license type, status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

Question 2

What's the maximum deposit I should pay upfront?

Accepted Answer

Industry standard is 10% to 30% upfront. If a contractor asks for 50% or more before starting, that's a red flag. Progress payments tied to completed phases are the right structure — never pay in full before the job is done.

Question 3

Is a verbal estimate legally binding?

Accepted Answer

Verbal agreements can be enforceable in theory, but proving what was agreed to is nearly impossible without documentation. Always get the scope and pricing in writing before any work starts.

Question 4

What should I do if I've already hired a contractor and see red flags?

Accepted Answer

Document everything in writing. Send a certified letter requesting the specific information you need (license number, insurance certificate, permit confirmation). If work hasn't started and you suspect fraud, contact the Louisiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section and the LSLBC.

Question 5

Does Turnkey Siding pull permits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Turnkey Siding pulls all required permits for siding work in applicable parishes. We hold Louisiana residential contractor license #890459 and commercial license #3667, both verifiable on the LSLBC website.

Siding Contractor Red Flags: How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off