For those of you who want to waterproof your basement, this is a great idea for several reasons. You will save money on your energy bills, reduce the growth of black mold and protect the structural foundations of your home. With something as important as this you want to make sure that you are getting a waterproofing contractor who can do the job well without burning a hole in your pocket.
Here are 5 important qualities to look for in a waterproofing contractor.
- Trustworthy
You need your waterproof contractor to be a trustworthy individual. Sometimes in life people can try and take advantage of us and one way to prevent this from being the case with your contractor is to hire someone trustworthy. You might be wondering how you can know if your contractor is trustworthy? Well, first off you should brush up on your knowledge of the processes and potential obstacles involved in waterproofing your basement. If you have a baseline of knowledge you should be able to accurately assess whether what the contractor is saying to you is true or not. If you suspect that they are overselling themselves or overcharging you for a job then you should consider other options.
Another way to assess the trustworthiness of a waterproofing contractor is to ask for a detailed proposal and contract. In these documents, you will have everything that you both agreed upon in writing. This is very important as it will protect you if something goes wrong with the work or if it falls short of what you both agreed upon. If a contractor tries to give you a vague contract this is a red flag and you should not sign it. If it is vague this could prove problematic for you later on, because a verbal agreement is not enough to protect you if there is nothing to support it in the written agreement.
- Experienced
Another important quality to look for is experience. Ideally, you want to hire someone who has done plenty of similar jobs before so that you can rest assured that the job is getting done right. An experienced contractor will take the time to carefully inspect the entirety of the basement so that they know exactly what they are working with and they can also potentially uncover any hidden problems that you did not notice. Obvious signs of water damage include damp sports on the walls, peeling paint, and rust on appliances. However, less obvious signs include cracks in basement walls, chalky substance on the walls, and unusual scents. If a contractor spots a hidden problem this could save you a lot of time, money, and effort further down the line.
Another way to ensure your contractor is an experienced individual is to check out their reviews and ratings online. If not many can be found then chances are they might be new on the scene. Additionally, you should check their certifications, licenses, and qualifications as this will tell you exactly how skillful and knowledgeable they are.
- Affordable
You don’t want to hire someone who is going to cost you a bomb. Depending on the extent of your job will dictate how much you should be spending on average, however, you do not want to be forced into going over budget. There are plenty of affordable basement waterproofing options out there that will do a quality job without breaking the bank. Before agreeing on any contractors you should receive a clearly outlined estimate of how much the job is going to take. It is worth asking around and getting a few quotes so you can get the best value for your money. Price comparison is always worth your time, so make sure that you do not rush through the researching stage.
- Reputable
It is essential that you hire a waterproofing contractor who has a good reputation. Ideally, you will have friends, family, or colleagues who can recommend a good company to you. However, if that is not the case then don’t worry because you have the internet right at your fingertips to help you. You should check out companies and contractors’ reviews, ratings, testimonials and even ask for references where possible. Online you will be able to find out whether regular complaints are being logged and as soon as you see the ratings start to drop, cut your losses and check elsewhere. Waterproofing your foundation or basement is a big home renovation project and one that could have serious implications for the structure of your house. So the best way to ensure that your house is in safe hands is to hire a contractor with a good reputation so that you know you are working with a real professional.
- Patient
Last but certainly not least, you want to hire a waterproofing contractor who is patient and will listen to you. There will be times on the job where you will need complex terms explained to you and if the contractor is not patient then they will not take the time to make sure you properly understand what is going on in your home. Additionally, if you have any concerns that you want to voice, an understanding contractor will take the time to hear your concerns and reassure you or act upon them. So while this last point may seem trivial, your waterproofing contractor must have a degree of patience.
This is not something you can necessarily work out about a person by the first meeting, however, if you schedule an inspection, then you will have a good opportunity to ask them questions and see how they respond to those. At this point, you can ask them about their licenses and insurance policies to see if they are qualified. Some people may feel uncomfortable asking these questions but it is essential that you do. Just know if they respond rudely or in any way hostile, then they probably are not very patient and not the contractor for you. Furthermore, you can check out reviews online to see if other people have had a positive experience with the contractor(s) you are considering.
There you have five important qualities to look out for when you begin the searching process for a waterproofing contractor.