Aren’t All Basement Waterproofing Companies The Same?

How easy is it, really, to choose the right basement waterproofing contractor? Aren’t they all the same?

Of course they’re not. And when you’re shopping around, try asking yourself a few questions about the contractors listed in the phone book:

Do they offer free and detailed estimates? Any basement waterproofing contractor worth his price will offer more than just a free estimate. He’ll come to your home and give you a detailed and itemized list of the kinds of work that his crew will need to do.

Are they listed in consumer guides? Check review sites like Yelp and Citysearch, as well as Angie’s List, a review website that specifically lists home contractors. What’s more, if your basement waterproofing contractor isn’t listed by the Better Business Bureau, keep looking.

Are they asking for a deposit? Some basement waterproofing contractors might ask for a small nominal fee just to make sure you’re serious about the project. But if they ask for more than 15 percent, don’t bother with them. It’s best to find someone who will only ask for about 10 percent.

Do they subcontract? A good basement waterproofing company — in fact, any quality contractor — won’t subcontract. It puts a communication barrier between you and the people in charge.

Do they have good references? Ideally, you shouldn’t have to ask for these. But your contractor should be able to provide several testimonials from satisfied customers upon request. Make sure you can confirm these independently — you want to make sure you’re not talking to a contractor’s cousin.

Do they try "hard sell" techniques? Basement waterproofing isn’t cheap, and getting any such work done is a big decision. Don’t let anyone use guilt or scare tactics to make you rush your choice. If you feel pressured by anyone, cross his name off your list.

Are they insured? If your basement waterproofing contractor isn’t fully bonded and insured, so that you won’t get stuck with a heavy bill if he damages your home or is injured on the job. No insurance? That’s a dealbreaker, ladies.

Do they have a plan? An experienced basement waterproofing contractor will have a working plan of attack for every project. Not every basement is the same, but many good contractors have developed a method of dealing with any problem, no matter how intractable it may seem. Ideally, part of that plan will be to visit the site afterward to make sure the job has held up. At Rightway, we have a ten-point plan for approaching each gig.

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Hear What Our Customers Are Saying!

John and Barbara Vicich

“We wanted to thank you for your personal and specialized attention to the water problem we had in our basement. You took the time to inspect the whole situation and gave us recommendations, all of which worked. You had a way of explaining the process and materials that would be used in a way that we understood. We are very pleased with the work that was done and would highly recommend your company to anyone.”

-John and Barbara Vicich

Debbie, Berwyn

“The day after Hurricane Irene, all of my neighbors basements were filled with water, while mine remained dry! It is wonderful, everything remains dry and the battery backup worked beautifully when my power was out for 2 days. Dry AND quiet, thank you, thank you! Thanks! Debbie, Berwyn”

-Debbie, Berwyn

Doug Smith, Glenside

“All I have to say is that Hurricane Irene was no match for the job that Rightway did for my basement and my father-in-law’s. I had my basement done 5 years ago and we are still bone dry and my father-inlaw’s was done last year and another dry basement… Great job! I highly recommend them for waterproofing and mold remediation.”

-Doug Smith, Glenside

Luke

“I’d highly recommend these guys for your basement. My basement has been dry since they installed a sump pump and French drain in June. They offer a competitive price, they get the job done quickly and they stand by their work. Please mention my name if you proceed down the road with these guys.”

-Luke

Angelo and Sandra Patiri

“We had our basement waterproofed with Rightway Waterproofing in 2007, after all this time and just getting through Hurricane Irene, we did not get a drop of water in our basement. Rightway Waterproofing did a very good job and we are very satisfied!”

-Angelo and Sandra Patiri