Those with basements in their homes understand the complications that one has to face now and then—the musty smell, damp walls, leaking pipelines, and mold infestation, to name a few!

Water issues are the most common issue for people living in cold or rainy regions. These problems cannot be ignored and postponed for the future. They need immediate fixing, or they can cause more loss than you may ever expect.

While many people consider saving costs by going the DIY route, others may believe in a professional contractor’s expertise more. Getting expert advice is always better because an average individual doesn’t possess the skills and knowledge to handle problems efficiently.

Moreover, for those who have had any wet basement problems or are currently facing leakage issues, getting your basement waterproofed by a professional contractor is a good-to-go remedy.

Here are a few things to consider while hiring a contractor for your basement –

Reviews and Ratings

Word of mouth is highly effective in finding the right basement waterproofing contractor for your home. Nobody can better understand a contractor’s performance than a past client. A successful service provider will have ample references from which to get feedback. Contacting these references and asking about their experiences would help you build trust and choose the same contractor for your project.

You can also search online for such service contractors operating in your city and see how well their previous clients rate them.

Expertise and Knowledge

Choosing a contractor with the right skills and knowledge is necessary for something as important as basement waterproofing. You cannot rely on any contractor operating across the street to get your job done.

Special materials and specific techniques must be applied to stop the water from seeping into your basement, which only the experienced technicians know. Their expertise makes them stand out from the rest of their counterparts and helps you prepare your basement in advance to withstand bad weather and other water problems in the future.

Site Visit

After shortlisting the contractors, you should request that they visit your basement and examine the problem’s root cause. This will also help you have a detailed discussion about the project, cost estimation, period, and overall execution.

The site visit is important as there may be a huge difference between narrating your requirements over the call and witnessing the problem. Moreover, an in-person meeting would help you evaluate the contractor’s approach and sincerity and decide whether to proceed.

Credentials and Licenses

Another important factor to consider while hiring any service provider is ensuring they are carrying out legitimate business operations. Choosing a contractor based solely on the low price is not sensible; a thorough background check is also required.

So, before making your final call, verify the contractor’s credentials and licenses. The permit indicates ethical business practices carried out by the contractor, and the certificates prove that they have also undergone formal training.

After selecting the contractor, obtain a written contract with the discussed terms and cost estimations. Make sure you read it properly and understand its content. If necessary, seek the help of your lawyer.