05 Jul Questions to ask your waterproofing contractor

Questions to ask every waterproofing contractor. Whether you have had basement flooding issues in the past, or are looking to waterproof your basement to make it a livable space.

1. Are you licensed and insured? And does the insurance cover excavation?

This is one of the first questions any homeowner should ask a contractor before beginning work on their   homes, but it holds especially true for basement waterproofing as the nature of the work may require the contractor to obtain a building permit. Even if a permit is not required, liability insurance and workers compensation can help protect you and your home financially if something should go wrong with the job.

2. How many years have your Company been in business?

How long a company has been in business can provide an indication about how experienced they are in making basement waterproofing repairs – and if they have experience with your type of problem.

A key follow-up question: How long have you used the process you recommend for my waterproofing job? If they have only been using a particular process for a few years or less it may be much harder to ascertain first-hand how durable or long-lasting a system or repair is. Another key question you may want to ask is: How many years of service do your employees have? This can also give you an idea of the company’s experience.

 3. Why do you think the proposed solution will work best for my waterproofing problem and are there alternatives?

With so many repair processes and systems, it’s important you do your homework and do your best to understand how a proposed repair will work. Be sure to ask about the proposed materials and understand what role they play in the overall system. You will want to make sure any work the company completes actually solves the problem and doesn’t just mask it.

4. Can you provide references?

A basement waterproofing contractor who has a long history of satisfied customers is a definite plus when trying to make a hiring decision. Make it point to call a few customers, both those who have recently had work completed and those whose work took place several years ago, and see how the repairs are holding up. There is nothing wrong with examining past work and discussing quality of       service from a set of references.

5. When you are done, what will my home look like, inside and out? 

If your home needs a more extensive repair, such as exterior excavation or installing an interior drain system, the quality of the work will affect how your home looks. Make sure you understand exactly what will be done before the work starts and how it will look in the end.

6. Do you guarantee or warranty your work?

How long does the company offer its warranty? Does it cover the materials and the labor? Has the company ever needed to come back out to service warranty coverage? Is the guarantee or warranty transferable in case of a home sale?

7. What’s the cost?

This may seem as the most obvious question but ensure that you receive a written estimate giving a detailed description of the work to be done and the time frame.