One Contractor for Your Complete Exterior Renovation in Crystal Lake, IL
Here’s the problem with hiring four different contractors for a full exterior remodel: nobody owns the project. The roofer blames the siding guy for the flashing leak. The siding crew says the window installer didn’t prep the openings right. The gutter company shows up before the fascia is finished and mounts to rotten wood. You end up playing general contractor — chasing four different schedules, four different warranties, and four different excuses. We see the aftermath of this approach every year on homes across McHenry, Woodstock, and Crystal Lake.
IHC handles the entire home exterior under one roof — roofing, siding, windows, gutters, soffit, fascia, and doors. One project manager coordinates the whole job. One crew sequence planned from the start. The roof goes on first so the structure is weatherproof. Siding goes second so flashing integrates with the new roof edge. Windows go in third so trim wraps over new siding. Gutters go last, mounted to finished fascia. Every trade ties into the one before it. That sequencing matters — skip it and you’re building moisture problems and warranty gaps into the project.
We’ve completed over 7,000 projects since 2005. Women-led, family-owned, operating from the same Route 176 office in Crystal Lake for 21 years. We hold five manufacturer certifications — James Hardie, Andersen, CertainTeed, LP SmartSide, and GutterShutter — which means full warranty activation on every product we install. One contractor, one warranty, one point of accountability.
✓ 5 Premium Certifications — James Hardie, Andersen, CertainTeed, LP SmartSide, and GutterShutter. See what each certification means →
Every Exterior Trade We Handle Under One Contract
Roof, siding, windows, gutters, soffit, fascia, and doors — one project manager, one warranty. No subcontractors you’ve never met showing up unannounced.
Roofing
CertainTeed, F-Wave synthetic, and Brava composite. ShingleMaster certified for SureStart Plus warranty coverage on materials and workmanship. The roof goes on first — it’s the foundation of every exterior project.
✓ CertainTeed ShingleMaster
Siding
James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide engineered wood, and vinyl. Certified on Hardie and LP SmartSide for full warranty activation. Siding goes second so flashing integrates cleanly with the new roof edge.
✓ Hardie Preferred + LP Preferred
Windows
Andersen (100, 400, A-Series, E-Series), InnoMAXX, and vinyl replacement windows. Andersen Elite Contractor certified. Windows go in third so exterior trim wraps over new siding for a watertight seal. Old windows bleed money — the U.S. Department of Energy says 25–30% of home energy loss comes through windows. Upgrading makes a real difference on your heating bill.
✓ Andersen Elite Contractor
Gutters
GutterShutter (exclusive dealer), Raindrop gutter guards, and seamless aluminum gutters. Gutters go last — mounted to finished fascia so everything is secure and properly aligned.
✓ GutterShutter Exclusive Dealer
Soffit & Fascia
Aluminum, James Hardie, LP SmartSide, and vinyl soffit and fascia. Good soffit ventilation keeps your attic breathing and your roof lasting longer — something a lot of contractors skip or flat-out get wrong. We replace rotted fascia before gutters go up, not after. That’s the kind of detail that prevents callbacks.
✓ Included in Full Exterior Projects
Doors
Entry doors, patio doors, and storm doors. Coordinated with your siding and trim for a cohesive look. We handle the flashing, weather-stripping, and threshold details that keep water out.
✓ Coordinated with Exterior Scope
Why Installation Sequence Matters for Your Exterior Remodel
Order matters more than most homeowners realize. Every trade builds on the one before it. Mess up the sequence and you’re baking moisture problems and warranty gaps into the project from day one.
Roof First — Weatherproof the Structure
The roof is the first line of defense. We strip the old roofing, inspect the deck for rot and damage, install ice and water shield at eaves and valleys, and lay the new roof system to CertainTeed specifications. Until that roof is solid, nothing else should go on the house. Siding crews can’t flash properly against an old roof that’s coming off next month. In McHenry County, where we get 40+ inches of snow and regular freeze-thaw cycles, a tight roof deck is non-negotiable.
Siding Second — Flashing Integrates with the New Roof
With the new roof in place, siding goes up next. The critical detail is where siding meets the roof edge — step flashing, kick-out flashing, and drip edge all need to tie into the new roof system. If siding goes on before the roof, you’re either ripping siding off to flash properly or you’re leaving a gap that leaks. We flash it right the first time because we control both trades.
Windows Third — Trim Wraps Over New Siding
Window installation happens after siding so that exterior trim wraps over the siding edge, creating a watertight seal. If you install windows first and siding second, the siding crew has to cut tight against existing trim — and that joint is where water intrusion starts. Our sequence means the trim overlaps the siding, shedding water away from the wall instead of channeling it in.
Gutters Last — Mounted to Finished Fascia
Gutters are the final piece. They mount to the fascia board, which was replaced or wrapped during the siding phase. Installing gutters before fascia work means pulling them off and putting them back on — wasting time and money, and putting holes in new material. Our crews install gutters once, on finished fascia, with proper pitch and secure mounting.
Why Homeowners Choose One Contractor for a Full Exterior Upgrade
One Project Manager, One Phone Number
One person who knows your whole project. You’re not calling four different companies trying to figure out who’s showing up this week. Your project manager handles crew scheduling, material deliveries, and inspections across every trade. That alone saves most homeowners weeks of headaches.
No Scheduling Gaps Between Trades
When you hire separate contractors, you’re at the mercy of four different schedules. The roofer finishes in October, but the siding crew can’t start until January. That’s three months of exposed sheathing in a McHenry County winter. We’ve seen it happen in Huntley, Cary, Barrington, and Algonquin — and the repair bills aren’t pretty. With IHC, the next trade starts as soon as the previous one is done. No gaps, no weather damage between phases.
One Warranty, Zero Finger-Pointing
When four different contractors touch your exterior, warranty claims turn into a blame game. The roofer says the leak is a siding problem. The siding company says it’s a window flashing issue. With IHC, there’s one warranty and one company responsible for the entire project. If something goes wrong at any junction point between trades, it’s our problem to fix. Period. That’s the advantage of working with a certified contractor who handles every trade in-house.
Get a Free Full Exterior Estimate
We’ll walk your entire exterior, look at every trade, and give you one detailed estimate. No pressure, no obligation.
Women-led • 380+ Google reviews • Free estimates, no obligation
Full Exterior Remodeling FAQs — Crystal Lake, IL
Who does complete exterior renovations — roof, siding, windows, and gutters — in McHenry County?
Innovative Home Concepts handles all four exterior trades under one contract. We’re certified by all five major manufacturers we install — CertainTeed (roofing), James Hardie and LP SmartSide (siding), Andersen (windows), and GutterShutter (gutters). One project manager coordinates the entire job with proper sequencing: roof first, siding second, windows third, gutters last. Over 7,000 projects completed since 2005 in McHenry County and the surrounding area.
Which contractor does both windows and siding so everything matches?
IHC installs both windows and siding on the same project, which means the trim, flashing, and color coordination are handled by one crew with one plan. When separate contractors do windows and siding, the junction between the two is where problems start — mismatched trim reveals, improper flashing overlap, and color inconsistencies. We sequence windows after siding so trim wraps over the siding edge for a watertight, clean-looking finish.
Who does roofing and siding together so I only deal with one company?
IHC is one of the few remodelers in McHenry County certified to install both roofing (CertainTeed ShingleMaster) and siding (James Hardie Preferred Remodeler and LP SmartSide Preferred Installer). We install the roof first, then the siding, so step flashing and kick-out flashing integrate properly between the two systems. That roof-to-siding junction is the most common failure point on homes where two different contractors handled the trades separately. If you’ve had storm damage, we can coordinate the whole exterior renovation with your insurance claim.
Does IHC offer financing for full exterior remodeling projects?
Yes. We offer GreenSky financing for all of our services, including complete exterior renovation projects. Low monthly payments with quick pre-approval at your free estimate appointment. No obligation — get your numbers, see your financing options, and decide on your own timeline. Full exterior projects are one of the most common uses for financing because combining all trades into one project means one loan instead of four.
Explore Our Individual Exterior Services
Siding
James Hardie, LP SmartSide, CraneBoard, and vinyl. Factory-trained installation with full warranty activation.
Roofing
CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified. SureStart Plus warranty on materials and workmanship.
Windows
Andersen Elite Contractor. Factory-trained on 100, 400, A-Series, and E-Series product lines.
Ready for a Complete Home Exterior Overhaul?
Call or text us for a free on-site estimate covering every exterior trade. One walkthrough, one estimate, one contractor. We’ll assess your roof, siding, windows, gutters, soffit, fascia, and doors — then give you honest numbers and a clear project plan. GreenSky financing available.
We’ll be in touch soon • No spam • No obligation • Financing available
Innovative Home Concepts, Inc.
4410 IL-176, Ste 1
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: (815) 356-9020
Email: info@innovativehomeconcepts.com
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Women-led • 380+ Google reviews • Free estimates, no obligation
