Basement Repair Contractors – How to Find the Right One
Finding the right basement repair contractors can be challenging. Of course, this is true in all trades, not just basement waterproofing or foundation repair. It takes time, research, going through reviews, and making sure the contractor is reputable. And then there is the interviewing process where you have the contractor come out to your home. The process can seem overwhelming. We will review some things to help you along the way so that you can make the right decision. Although the focus of this article is for basement repair contractors, the same principles can be applied for any type of contractor.
Online Reviews
The first thing to look at is the contractor’s reputation. Thankfully, the internet is a valuable resource for this. The Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and Facebook are good places to start. Are the majority of the reviews good or are there mixed reviews? Do the reviews look legitimate? Believe it or not, some companies spend lots of time and money fabricating good reviews. Websites like Angie’s List and the BBB make it difficult or impossible to do this. Look for legitimate reviews from trustworthy sources. You can also do a Google search to learn more about the company.
References
Does the company have a list of satisfied customers that can be contacted? Good reviews are a start, but if a past customer is willing to vouch for the company to a total stranger, this speaks volumes about the company’s reputation.
Years in Business
A company may claim that they have many years of experience. But how long have they been in business? A company of four guys may have each been working in basement waterproofing for 5 years and claim that the company has 20 years of experience. But maybe the actual business has only been open for a few years. If they give you a lifetime guarantee, can you count on them still being around 5 or 10 years down the road? A company that has been around for many years and has a solid reputation is the best bet.
National Companies vs. Local Businesses
National waterproofing companies are easy to spot. They spend a fortune on various forms of advertising and booths at trade shows. They have a highly trained sales staff that are required to use high pressure in their sales presentations, even going so far as demanding that all homeowners be present for an estimate, simply because they want to close a deal. National Companies usually have a “patented” system, which means every customer gets the same solution, regardless of what their problem is. They may claim to offer other solutions, but always lead back to their patented product. Local basement repair contractors are easy to spot as well because they will often advertise “locally owned and operated.” Smaller, local companies may utilize subcontractors for the majority of their labor, which means they are not insured against damages. Make sure the company has employees and is insured. Reputable companies will advertise that they are “bonded and insured” and can even provide a certificate to back up their claim.
Sales Presentation
Does the sales person take the time to explain everything to you and answer your questions? Or do they give the impression that you should just “trust the expert”? Are they using high pressure sales techniques? Do they use scare tactics, telling you that if you truly care about your family’s health, you will fix this problem immediately? Beware of these bad sales practices. If a company is reputable and trustworthy, they will not need to resort to these tactics.
A Final Word
Choosing the right basement repair contractors doesn’t have to be scary. It may seem overwhelming at first, but once you dive in to doing the right research, you will be able to separate the good from the bad and choose a few that you will invite to your home for an estimate.
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Basement Repair Contractors
