Evaluating Basement Waterproofing Companies: A Guide for Residential Consumers
If you’re ready to waterproof your basement and protect your home from mold, mildew, and water damage, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
The good news is that there are many basement waterproofing companies to choose from. It’s a needed industry and homeowners who call for assistance are often desperate for help. The bad news is the same: there are often too many basement waterproofing contractors to choose from, and how can you, as a homeowner, know which one will serve your needs best?
Fortunately, there are a few key criteria you can use to make sure you work with someone who will do a fantastic job for you. And the best time to make your decision is now, before an emergency leaves you with no time to make the best decision.
Get Recommendations and Check Reviews
A great way to start is with word of mouth referrals from people who have actually hired the basement waterproofing company you’re thinking of.
If you know someone who has had their basement waterproofed recently, ask them if they’d recommend their contractor — there’s nothing quite like getting a firsthand account of someone’s work from a friend, family member, or neighbor whose opinion you can trust.
If you don’t know someone who’s had this type of work done, do a simple search online and check the reviews for the contractor or company you’re interested in. Google reviews are a good place to find online testimonials.
Make sure you check more than just a handful of reviews so that you get a clear picture of how each company you are interested in does business. If you see a problem with a company that otherwise might be your choice, simply ask that company about the concern you have. How they answer you will tell you a lot about their communication and customer relations skills.
Get Multiple Estimates
One way to evaluate the competition in your area is to get multiple quotes. At least three proposals are usually recommended. Do the responses fall in the same general cost area? Is one quote far higher or lower than the others?
Keep in mind that it’s not always in your best interest to go with the lowest quote. That may seem like an attractive savings, but why is the quote low? Does the contractor have the appropriate licensing and insurance coverage (and will they show you the current papers)? Are their employees covered under Workers Compensation? What materials and techniques are going to be used to solve your basement waterproofing problem?
Approach the highest estimate with the same concern. Find out why it is what it is. Did they see a potential issue the other contractors did not or are they using higher-quality materials that will better stand the test of time? You may not know if all the technical answers are correct, but you can trust your gut to tell you if the contractor is being too defensive or even reacting in hostile ways to your questions.
Ask Lots of Questions
Once you have your potential contractor lined up, ask lots of questions. Here are a few things to find out:
- Can they show you previous projects that are similar to your home and provide references?
- How many years of experience with basement waterproofing?
- Do they send third party contractors, or do they have their own dedicated crews?
- Can they show proof that they’re licensed and insured?
- Do they offer a warranty or post-service support?
- Do they specialize in basement waterproofing, or are they a general contractor?
The answers to these questions can be important, but as already mentioned, the openness and attitude of the contractor in reviewing these issues with you is just as important. Patient and thorough communication with the homeowner is a great signal that you will be well taken care of once the work gets under way.
If everything seems above board, make sure you review their contract thoroughly before signing.
Above all, trust your instincts — if something seems off, go with the company that seems most trustworthy, even if their costs are a bit higher. Don’t feel bad about changing your mind.
Ready to Get Your Basement Waterproofed? We Can Help
At D-Bug Waterproofing, we know these things because we’ve been serving families in Western Pennsylvania for over three quarters of a century. Ask your friends and neighbors about us. The Pittsburgh region is our home, and we service each new customer like family.
If you’re ready to waterproof your basement and protect your home from flooding and water damage for decades to come, we can help — call D-Bug Waterproofing at 855-381-1528 or contact us today.
