When you decide it’s time to hire a waterproofing contractor for your home or business, that’s not the only decision you’ll have to make. Determining which contractor you should choose, how much the job should cost, and whether there are alternative options that might meet your needs are all important. You want to make sure you’re getting the contractor who’s going to do the best job for you, at a fair price and on your schedule. You may want to get several quotes, but remember that it’s about more than just the price. Quality is a bigger factor, and you want the job to last and protect your home.
How to Select Your Waterproofing Contractor
Choosing a waterproofing contractor for your home or business means understanding what you actually need. If you already have water damage, for example, the help you need is going to be different from the help required if there isn’t any water damage yet. Not everyone who has their basement waterproofed does it because there’s water in the basement. Sometimes, they get the waterproofing done before the water starts to show up. If you see signs of a wet basement, though, that’s a big indication that you need to talk to a professional about options for waterproofing services.
Have the contractor come to your home and talk to you about the issues they see. If you talk to more than one company, you can compare what they say about these issues and get a better idea of the knowledge base and skills they have. One company might propose an inexpensive fix that will be faster, but if they don’t warranty that work, it could be better to choose a different option. It’s nice to save money, but only if you’re not compromising quality and value to lower your cost. A good waterproofing contractor will give you options and suggestions, and they won’t all be fast fixes or inexpensive choices.
If you have friends or family members who’ve had waterproofing work done, it’s a good idea to talk to them about the companies they used and what they thought of the service they received. If they were very happy with that company and the price, it could be worth getting a quote. People you talk to can also give you suggestions as to which contractors to avoid if they’ve had bad experiences they don’t want to see you have as well. Reading online reviews is another way to sort out some of that, but be careful to remember that not all of those reviews are completely honest or fully accurate.
What to Look for in a Qualified Professional
A waterproofing contractor should be licensed and insured. You want to make sure that’s the case and verify the information you’re given. Waterproofing a basement or foundation properly is a skill, and it’s not one that everyone has. While it could be less expensive to choose someone who’s more of a generalist, you might find that you’re not getting the deal you really expected when the waterproofing doesn’t actually keep all the water out of your basement. By choosing a contractor who focuses on basement waterproofing and foundation repair, you’ll get the kind of professional you need.
Also make sure the contractor you choose responds to your questions, handles issues promptly, and is reachable within a reasonable time frame. You don’t want to hire a contractor you have to chase down to get information or one who doesn’t show up on time to do the job or correct any problems you might have with the initial work. You should be able to get everything in writing, and you should feel comfortable. Trusting your gut can be very important, and if you have a bad feeling about a contractor or company, it might be a good idea to choose someone else to do the work.
What Kinds of Questions Should You Ask?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A lot of home and business owners won’t ask questions, because they don’t want to feel as if they aren’t knowledgeable. They also might feel like they’re bothering the contractor by asking for so much information. But asking questions is the only way you’ll get the answers you want and need before you choose a contractor. Ask about licensing and insurance, and make sure you get information you can verify with the department of licensing and the insurance company. Ask about warranties and guarantees and if those things are provided in writing.
You should also ask whether you’re getting a quote and how detailed that quote will be. If you just get a very generic quote, it’s likely that it won’t be accurate. You could end up paying a lot more later, simply because you didn’t ask the right questions at the time of the quote. If you aren’t given something detailed, press for more specifics. Get everything in writing. When you do that, it’s much harder for a contractor to back out of what was agreed to. A good quality contractor isn’t going to mind answering your questions or giving you a quote in writing with plenty of detail and information.
Overall, you want to know the details of the job when you’re asking questions. Understanding the specifics of what the contractor will do and how that will actually waterproof your basement is very important. Whether you have a home or a business, you need quality waterproofing to protect your foundation and your investment in the property. By taking a proactive approach to your basement waterproofing needs, you can find a contractor who’s going to give you a good quality job at a price that’s fair. Don’t be afraid to press for details, and if the contractor doesn’t want to provide them, move on.
Choosing Us Means Quality and Value
When you contact us at Mobile Waterproofing, you’ll get the benefit of 40+ years of experience in the industry. We understand you have a choice of waterproofing contractors, and we want you to choose us. If you’re in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, Sanford, Auburn, Beaverton, Gladwin, Pinconning, or the surrounding areas, we’re close to home and able to help you.
We are a full-service basement restoration and foundation repair contractor, and we can offer egress window installation, humidity ventilation systems, commercial waterproofing, and more as well. Get in touch today, and let us show you how we can help. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and make sure you’re comfortable with the choice you’ve made for waterproofing services for your home or business location.