How to Choose a Basement Waterproofing Contractor
Uh-oh. There’s a puddle on the basement floor. A big one. And it’s not the first one, either.
All the excuses have been used up. It can’t be put off any longer. The basement needs to be fixed and a basement waterproofing contractor is needed to fix it.
OK, that’s one big decision in the bag. Now comes the bigger one – which basement waterproofing contractor? The one that worked on the neighbor’s house? The one with the TV commercials? The one with all the Yelp reviews?
The answer is …yes. Not only those contactors but also the one on Angie’s List, the one that offers a list of references and the one that offers full service.
Confusing? Let’s clear it up.
How to Choose a Basement Waterproofing Contractor
One of the many advantages a modern homeowner has when it comes to finding products and services for the home is easy access to information. The internet offers extensive information about companies, products and services and it also offers both formal review sites like Angie’s List and Yelp but also informal sources like forums, comment boards and chat rooms.
Contractors and other businesses, too, have learned that being forthcoming with information useful to prospective customers is actually a competitive advantage and company websites, blogs and Facebook pages are great sources for the homeowner.
So, with all this information available, what’s important in choosing a basement waterproofing contractor?
References – Nobody can offer a better perspective on a contactor’s performance than a previous customer. A successful basement waterproofing contractor will have numerous references and will provide them gladly. Of course, the contractor won’t offer any negative references so that’s where the comments sections on Facebook and Angie’s List may show the other side of the coin.
Review Sites – Speaking of Angie’s List, it has become an invaluable resource for homeowners looking for painters, roofers, landscapers – and basement waterproofing contractors. Membership does require a fee but only a consumer can pay their way on to the list – contractors get there based on service and feedback from members. There is a number of other sites that are wide open to anyone, which can be helpful but are best viewed with a balanced eye – tossing out the extremes, both negative and positive, offers a clearer view of performance and satisfaction.
Full Service – Basements can leak water in a number of ways and each way requires a different repair technique. There are basement waterproofing contractors that offer only one service, typically drain tile, that can’t address any other problems. Look for a contractor that offers a full range of services; no matter what the problem, they can fix it.
History – Like many other service businesses, basement waterproofing contractors come and go. This becomes crucial when considering the warranty offered by a contractor. Most basement waterproofing contractors will offer a lifetime warranty on services like crack repair and interior drain tile and limited warranties on exterior repairs and other work. If the contractor is out of business six months later, however, any warranty is worthless. Look for contractors that have a track record and a business structure that predicts longevity.
There are other ways, too, like talking to other homeowners, looking for Better Business Bureau ratings and industry recognition. Regardless of how the research is done, doing it thoroughly should lead to a happy homeowner with a dry basement. At U.S. Waterproofing, we have been keeping basements dry in the Chicago area for more than 56 years. We are rated A+ by the BBB and as a Super Service by Angie’s List. We are a full-service basement waterproofing contractor with more than 300,000 satisfied customers, so why not ask for our free advice when looking for a basement waterproofing contractor?