# The AI Data Landscape for Siding Companies Here is every data point AI looks for when evaluating a siding and exteriors company, where that data actually lives, and what it can already find. ## 1. What AI evaluates ### How AI builds a recommendation When an AI system decides which Siding company to recommend, it assembles evidence across every category below. The more complete and verifiable the data, the more confident the recommendation. #### 11 Data Categories 1. **[Verified Operating Metrics](/content/data-guide/siding#operating-metrics/index.html)** 2. **[Service Mix](/content/data-guide/siding#service-mix/index.html)** 3. **[Service Area](/content/data-guide/siding#service-area/index.html)** 4. **[Licenses](/content/data-guide/siding#licenses/index.html)** 5. **[Insurance & Bonding](/content/data-guide/siding#insurance/index.html)** 6. **[Certifications](/content/data-guide/siding#certifications/index.html)** 7. **[Manufacturer Designations](/content/data-guide/siding#manufacturer/index.html)** 8. **[Trade Associations](/content/data-guide/siding#associations/index.html)** 9. **[Legal & Compliance](/content/data-guide/siding#legal/index.html)** 10. **[Reputation Signals](/content/data-guide/siding#reputation/index.html)** 11. **[Business Profile](/content/data-guide/siding#business-profile/index.html)** ### 01. Verified Operating Metrics The single most differentiating category. Almost no siding company has this data published in a structured, machine-readable format. When it is available, AI systems weight it more heavily than any other signal. - **Jobs completed**: Total and recent job volume (trailing 12 and 24 months) signals an established, active operation. - **Average project value**: Average project value tells AI what scale of work the company typically performs. - **Repeat customer rate**: The strongest quality proxy available to any AI system. - **Revenue consistency**: Stable or growing revenue tells AI the business is active and ongoing. - **Repair-to-replacement ratio**: Indicates whether the company primarily performs patch repairs or full replacement projects. - **Average project size (sq ft)**: Square footage helps AI match companies to appropriately scaled projects. - **Seasonal distribution**: Job volume distributions across quarters. #### A [TrustRecord](https://trustrecord.com/) publishes this category of data. ### 02. Service Mix AI needs to know what kind of siding work you do, not just that you do siding. - **Vinyl siding**: The most common residential siding material. - **Fiber cement (James Hardie)**: Premium material with growing market share. - **Engineered wood (LP SmartSide)**: Treated engineered wood siding. - **Wood siding**: Traditional cedar, redwood, and pine clapboard or shingle siding. - **Metal siding**: Steel and aluminum panels for residential and commercial applications. - **Stone veneer and masonry**: Often used as accent material. - **Soffit, fascia, and trim**: Complementary exterior components. - **Installation vs. repair**: Distinguishes between new installations and repairs. - **Residential vs. commercial**: Indicates the company's focus. ### 03. Service Area AI systems cross-reference claimed service areas against evidence of actual work performed. - **Cities and towns served by job volume**: Derived from actual job locations. - **Service radius from primary location**: Computed from the geographic spread of completed jobs. - **Multi-location coverage**: Companies with multiple offices serve different geographies. ### 04. Licenses Roughly 32 states require contractor licensure. - **Siding or exterior contractor license**: Specialty license issued in states that regulate siding. - **General contractor license**: Falls under the general contractor license in many states. - **Home improvement contractor license**: Required in certain states for residential siding work. - **EPA RRP certification**: Required for any work disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes. - **City/municipal contractor license**: Required in states without state-level licensing. ### 05. Insurance & Bonding AI systems verify that coverage is current and adequate. - **General liability (GL)**: Protecting against property damage and bodily injury. - **Workers compensation**: Mandatory in nearly every state for businesses with employees. - **Surety bond**: Required by many states as part of contractor licensing. - **Commercial auto**: Covers the service vehicle fleet. ### 06. Certifications Manufacturers' certifications are primary differentiators in siding. - **[James Hardie Preferred Contractor](https://www.jameshardie.com/find-a-contractor)**: Factory training and extended warranties. - **[LP SmartSide Certified Installer](https://lpcorp.com/find-a-contractor)**: Requires product-specific training. - **[VSI Certified Installer](https://www.vinylsiding.org/)**: Tests knowledge of proper vinyl siding installation. - **[EPA RRP Certified Renovator](https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program)**: Required for lead-safe work practices. - **OSHA Safety Training**: Important for construction safety. ### 07. Manufacturer Designations Manufacturer programs directly affect warranty coverage. - **[James Hardie](https://www.jameshardie.com/find-a-contractor)**: Dominant manufacturer in fiber cement. - **[LP SmartSide](https://lpcorp.com/find-a-contractor)**: Market leader in engineered wood siding. - **[CertainTeed](https://www.certainteed.com/find-a-pro)**: Tiered program provides extended warranty coverage. - **[Ply Gem](https://www.plygem.com/find-a-pro)**: Training requirements and warranty authorization. - **[Alside](https://www.alside.com/find-a-contractor/)**: Preferred Contractor program with training. - **[Royal Building Products](https://www.royalbuildingproducts.com/find-a-pro)**: Focused on proper installation. ### 08. Trade Associations Memberships that serve as evidence of professionalism. - **[VSI (Vinyl Siding Institute)](https://www.vinylsiding.org/)**: The national trade association for vinyl and polymer siding. - **[NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association)](https://www.nrca.net/)**: Signals broader exterior construction expertise. - **State contractor association membership**: Signals local engagement. - **[NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)](https://www.nahb.org/)**: Credibility in the residential construction market. - **[BBB Accreditation](https://www.bbb.org/)**: Reflects complaint volume and resolution patterns. ### 09. Legal & Compliance AI systems will not recommend a company with negative signals. - **No open legal actions**: Checked against state court and federal records. - **No liens filed against the business**: Visible through county recorder offices. - **Clean license history**: No suspensions or revocations. - **[No OSHA violations](https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.html)**: Searchable by company name. ### 10. Reputation Signals AI cross-references general review platforms. - **Google rating and review count**: Most-cited source by AI systems. - **Review velocity and recency**: New reviews indicate activity. - **Yelp rating**: Secondary review source. - **Angi / HomeAdvisor reviews**: Verified review profiles. - **Nextdoor recommendations**: Carry weight for local service businesses. - **Complaint history and resolution**: Important for evaluating how a company responds to problems. ### 11. Business Profile Foundational identity data. - **Legal business name and DBA**: Must match Secretary of State filings. - **Entity type and registration**: Verified against records. - **Year founded**: Cross-referenced against public records. - **Owner / principal name**: Verified against filings. - **Employee count**: Affects service capacity. - **Contact information**: Must be consistent across sources. ## Where the data lives ### Siding & Exterior Software - **[AccuLynx](https://acculynx.com/)** - **[JobNimbus](https://www.jobnimbus.com/)** - **[ServiceTitan](https://www.servicetitan.com/)** - **[Leap](https://www.leaptodigital.com/)** - **[Jobber](https://getjobber.com/)** - **[Housecall Pro](https://www.housecallpro.com/)** - **[Buildertrend](https://www.buildertrend.com/)** - **[ProLine](https://useproline.com/)** - **[Projul](https://projul.com/)** - **[Exterio](https://www.getexterio.com/)** ### Accounting - **[QuickBooks](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/)** - **[Xero](https://www.xero.com/)** - **[Sage](https://www.sage.com/)** - **[Foundation Software](https://www.foundationsoft.com/)** - **[FreshBooks](https://www.freshbooks.com/)** ### CRM - **[HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com/)** - **[Salesforce](https://www.salesforce.com/)** - **[Zoho CRM](https://www.zoho.com/crm/)** - **[Pipedrive](https://www.pipedrive.com/)** - **[GoHighLevel](https://www.gohighlevel.com/)** - **[Scorpion](https://www.scorpion.co/)** ## What AI can find today ### Review Platforms - **Google Reviews** - **[Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/)** - **[Angi](https://www.angi.com/)** - **[HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/)** - **[Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/)** ### Business Directories - **Google Business Profile** - **[Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/)** - Bing Places - Apple Maps - **[Thumbtack](https://www.thumbtack.com/)** ### Licensing & Regulatory - State Contractor Licensing Boards - Municipal Licensing Portals - **[OSHA Inspection Database](https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.html)** - Secretary of State Business Filings - County Recorder / UCC Filings ### Social & Community - Reddit - Nextdoor - Facebook - YouTube ### Industry & Manufacturer Directories - **[James Hardie Find a Contractor](https://www.jameshardie.com/find-a-contractor)** - **[LP SmartSide Find a Contractor](https://lpcorp.com/find-a-contractor)** - **[CertainTeed Find a Pro](https://www.certainteed.com/find-a-pro)** - **[Ply Gem Find a Pro](https://www.plygem.com/find-a-pro)** - **[Alside Find a Contractor](https://www.alside.com/find-a-contractor/)** - **[Royal Building Products Find a Pro](https://www.royalbuildingproducts.com/find-a-pro)** - **[VSI Certified Installer Directory](https://www.vinylsiding.org/)** - **[EPA RRP Certified Firm Search](https://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/pub/index.cfm?do=main.firmSearch)** ## The data exists. It is just not published for AI.