Image source: http://www.wikihow.com/images/6/6f/Waterproof-Your-Basement-Step-8.jpg
Look for credentials and reviews
First, hiring a local contractor will be the smartest move. They will not only be easily approachable but they will also be aware of the topography and soil structure of the area. While selecting the contractor always ask for their credentials so that you can be sure of their quality of work. Also, if they have a website, check for the review section and see if their previous clients have positive things to say about them. Find out if they are affiliated with national and local building association foundations. This will ensure that they fulfill the membership criteria of these prestigious institutes.
Warranty of the work
This would ensure that your contractor will be responsible for the quality of their services and you will be able to seek their help if the problem recurs within a specific timeframe. Sump pump is costly equipment and generally comes with lifetime guarantee. You should check out if the product used by the contractor has that assurance. Read the contract carefully and check the words that describe the warranty clauses.
Quality materials used
Look for the materials used by the contractors and always select only those are certified by some well-known equipment and system manufacturers. For example, Grate Products is a leading manufacturer of waterproofing systems and they have a list of their certified partners in their website. You should check it out personally if the claims made by the waterproofing contractors are supported by the manufacturers.
Compare quotations
Basement repair jobs are generally costly. Therefore you should always obtain quotations from at least three different contractors. This will also let you compare the materials to be used and their costs as individual components. It is often found by the clients that a contractor has quoted inflated price for the same component and your only way to find this out is to compare the quotations.
Competitive pricing
When you have more than one quotation with you finding the most competitive pricing will be easy. Our advice will be not to go blindly for the lowest quote. Check out with the contractors to see on what basis they have quoted the price to understand what you actually need in your basement and if you are getting that at a reasonable cost. Do not get sold on over-specified deliverables. Do not pay more than what you need to.
Get your queries answered
Basement repair is a costly and often once-in-a-lifetime job. So, do not sign the agreement with waterproofing contractors till you are fully satisfied with their explanations to your queries. Ask them questions on the basic technicalities and they should be able to explain the procedure in a laypersons term. Lastly, if you are satisfied with their quality of service, recommend them to others.
