Questions to Ask Your Basement Waterproofing Contractor

It’s just another typical weeknight of doing chores in the house. Then you make your way down to the basement and look around for a bit. You hadn’t realized until now, but your basement is wet and damp. Maybe even some of the walls are cracked as well. You think to yourself, “This is an absolute disaster.”After a moment of panic, you begin to collect your thoughts. It’s time to hire a basement waterproofing contractor. But not all basement waterproofing specialists provide the highest quality of work. A major home improvement investment such as this one undoubtedly requires some effort on your end. Here are several questions to ask before hiring someone to handle basement waterproofing:

1. Are you licensed? – Go ahead and get the obvious question out of the way first. The last thing you want is to hire someone who isn’t licensed, bonded, or insured. For one thing, they’re likely to do a less-than-satisfactory job. So you may wind up having to pay twice in order to get the work done properly. Another thing is that should something go wrong with an uninsured contractor, you’re on the hook for covering the damages. Though it might seem unfair, it’s the law. Don’t even think about hiring waterproofing contractors if they aren’t willing to provide documentation of their license and insurance coverage.
2. How many years of experience do you have working in the industry? – There are plenty of talented contractors just getting started with their businesses. But should you really hire a rookie to solve your foundation/basement waterproofing dilemma? Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we have been in business since 1985. We have the knowledge and expertise needed to identify the source of your moisture problem and come up with a long-lasting solution. Over the years, we’ve seen just about everything you can imagine in the industry, so by no means will something surprise us.
3. Can you provide references? – It certainly helps when the contractor you’re considering has ample references from previous customers. Don’t hesitate to call a few of them and ask about their satisfaction with the work. Pro tip: if the work took place several years ago, ask how the repairs are holding up. At Zablocki Waterproofing, we are more than happy to provide references upon request. Says Matt K. of Grafton, “I could not have asked for a faster and thorough repair. Everything was great.”
4. How willing are you to walk me through the waterproofing process? – For whatever reason, some contractors just don’t like answering questions and communicating all that much with homeowners. That’s not how we do things though at Zablocki. You can count on us to concisely explain the source of your problem, as well as the recommended most effective and affordable solutions. By no means do we expect you to have all the answers. After all, that’s what we’re here for!
5. Why do you think what you recommended will work best for the problem? – Basement waterproofing is anything but easy to understand. There are a number of repair processes and systems that your contractor takes into account. What works for your neighbor may not be a solution to your dilemma. That said, feel free to do some of your own research on the repair. Then ask about the suggested materials and figure out what role they play in the system. Ultimately, you want to know if the solution they propose makes sense.            

ROI of Waterproofing Your Basement

Now that you know what to ask your potential contractor, let’s take a step back for a moment. Is having a waterproof basement worth the time and money? The short answer is yes. Angie’s List mentions that homeowners should expect a return on investment of about 30 percent for such a project. Frankly, you will get more bang for your back with basement waterproofing as opposed to home improvement projects such as kitchen upgrades, new appliances, and fresh coats of paint.   

Put yourself in the shoes of a prospective home buyer for a moment. Would you really give much thought to purchasing a home with a leaking basement? We’re guessing not. If you ever choose to put your home on the market and it has a wet or damp basement, you’re likely going to find yourself in a tough spot. A home inspector will warn potential buyers of any visible damage, giving them a significant amount of leverage. Paying out of pocket for repairs and doing the work on deadline won’t exactly be a good time.

Zablocki Waterproofing is Milwaukee’s choice for basement waterproofing and foundation waterproofing. Put your basement repair in the hands of our seasoned foundation contractors. Experience the difference of unparalleled customer service, attention to detail, quality work, and fair prices.

Call now for a free estimate.