More than 14 million homes in the United States are in danger of flooding. Experts estimate 98% of basements in American homes will experience some level of water damage over time.
Waterproofing your basement as a homeowner is a wise decision. However, choosing the right waterproofing services is essential.
The wrong waterproofing company may resort to fast fixes or use subpar materials. This is why researching the right contractor is vital when hiring basement waterproofing services.
Are you a homeowner concerned about a leaking basement? Then keep reading to learn eight things to do to hire the right waterproofing professional.
1. Find Recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find the right waterproofing services is to let others do it for you. If anyone you know has recently had basement waterproofing, ask them if they would recommend the company they used. For instance, you can ask:
- Family members
- Friends
- Colleagues
- Neighbors
- Social media
They should give you enough feedback to decide whether you want to enquire further with the same company. If they were unhappy with the results or the service they received, instead, use another company.
2. Do Research
If no one you know has recently used a waterproofing company, you’ll need to research options. You can do this online and find some local companies to compare. An excellent place to start is by finding their company on a site like Google or Yelp and reading reviews that customers have written.
Only read reviews from the last six months to a year to save time. Any longer than that, and company processes could have changed since the customer posted the review. Additionally, disregard reviews, especially negative ones that are left anonymously. A disgruntled competitor may be hiding behind anonymity and leaving negative reviews rather than a customer.
3. Check Their Services
When hiring someone to waterproof your basement, you must check the services they offer on their website. Ideally, you want to choose a company that specializes in waterproofing. A company that specializes will have extensive knowledge of potential basement problems.
A company specializing in waterproofing will have well-equipped staff to handle your basement waterproofing job. Furthermore, a company that deals primarily with waterproofing basements will have the necessary equipment, tools, and training needed for the job.
4. Enquire About Insurance and a Performance Bond
When choosing waterproofing services, you must enquire about their insurance. Never hire an uninsured company. This puts extra risks onto you as a homeowner, which could cost a lot in medical bills if someone gets injured on-site.
Instead, a professional waterproofing company will have the necessary insurance to perform the job on your premises safely. This means that both you and any workers on-site are protected under general liability.
Additionally, ensure the waterproofing services you hire has a performance bond. This means you will be compensated should the contractor renege on the terms of their contract.
5. Check Credentials and Licensing
Once you’ve determined whether or not they’re insured, you also want to check their credentials and if they have the necessary licenses. The local government has not authorized them to offer waterproofing services if they don’t have the required licenses.
When your waterproofing professional has the required licenses and credentials, you know they’ve had to meet specific requirements to become registered.
6. Ask About Their Experience
Next, once you have a list of waterproofing companies, enquire with each about their experience. If they don’t list their experience on their website, don’t be shy; ask them directly. Ideally, you want the waterproofing company you hire to have several years of experience.
A company with less experience may run into trouble if there is a complication while waterproofing your basement. Their inexperience can cost you more than if you hired an experienced company. This blog on water damage dangers will give you an idea of why you need an experienced contractor.
7. Compare Quotations
You should have narrowed your list to a few top contenders by now. Now you want to start comparing prices and quotes. Remember, no two basements are identical, so costs may vary from what your neighbor or friend paid for theirs.
Next, for a waterproofing professional to quote you accurately, they need to come and do a site inspection first. The price they quote you is based on a few factors, such as:
- How old your house is
- The duration of the dampness or wetness
- How your home withstands heavy weather conditions
- How long you’ve owned the house
Finally, the waterproofing services you hire may recommend additional work that needs to be done. This can include repairing pipes, installing sump pumps, a drain tile system, or window wells. This will add to the overall cost of waterproofing your basement.
8. Schedule a Meeting
Finally, if you want to get a feel for how a company is, it’s best to meet with them face to face. You can tell a lot about a company this way from the beginning.
For example, how they handle your appointment booking can significantly indicate how they run their business. If you get brushed off or messed around from the beginning, it’s unlikely to get better when they come to do the job.
On the other hand, if the company is professional and friendly, you’ll receive the same level of service from the waterproofing contractors. A company that takes pride in its services will ensure all staff are appropriately trained in customer relations.
Sydney Waterproofing Services specializes in top-tier waterproofing solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial properties across Sydney. Our expert team employs cutting-edge techniques and premium materials to ensure long-lasting protection against water damage. From basements to rooftops, we deliver reliable waterproofing solutions tailored to your specific needs, backed by unmatched quality and expertise.
Find Waterproofing Services That Are Right For You
Ensuring you hire the best basement waterproofing services you can afford is essential if you want a job well done. A company that gives you bad service from the start will likely continue the job with lousy service.
To avoid this, ask around with friends and family to get company recommendations or make a list and read online reviews. Before comparing quotes, remember to ensure they’re properly licensed, insured, and bonded. All these steps should help you find the best waterproofing company in your area.
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Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.