How to hire a waterproofing contractor

Homes that are properly waterproofed can improve your home’s air quality and can help you save money in the long run. A dry house is efficient, maintainable and easy to heat. With this being said, you should know how to hire a good waterproofing company.

Homeowners do not often realise the sources of water damage, along with the potentially severe costs. A homeowner must know how to assess whether water damage can occur, and perhaps most importantly, how to find a waterproofing contractor that can keep the house secure and safe, in order to preserve the permanent value of the property.

How to recognise water damage?

Obvious signs of water damage are puddles on basement floors during a heavy storm, wet patches on basement walls, peeling paint, rust on equipment or tools and rotting panelling in the case of a renovated basement section. Another way to recognise water damage is an unusual odour, typically the result of moulding, may be the only sign of an issue and may involve removal of panelling or carpeting to ascertain if there is moisture or mould.

What are the drawbacks of having a wet basement?

In addition, a wet basement will erode your property’s structural integrity. Left untreated, a damp basement will potentially turn into a health hazard for you and your family if there is growth of moulds. Family heirlooms stored in the basements may be vulnerable to the corrosive effects of humidity and moisture. Moreover, tools can rust, wood flooring can rot, and mould and mildew may destroy carpeting. Water or dust is particularly harmful in close proximity to electrical panels. 

Hence it is essential to hire a professional waterproofing contractor to fix the issues you face in your home. 

What to look for before hiring a waterproofing contractor?

Are they specialised?

First of all, you should hire a contractor who specialises in waterproofing. Try to think of your home as a complete system that has unique components with fine-tuned functionalities. All these systems work together to form a complete entity. Waterproofing is required to increase the lifetime of the entire system. Thus, don’t compromise on the waterproofing company you hire. Always go for certified experts and not local handyman.

Do your homework

A lot of homeowners don’t do adequate homework while hiring a waterproofing business. In the end, these homeowners regret deeply. Before you hire (or even bring a business to your house) ask around about the service provider. In simpler words, understand more about their previous projects and check reviews. All waterproofing work should meet the Australian Standard for residential waterproofing.

Get multiple quotes 

Don’t stop with one waterproofing company. Instead, you should acquire estimates from at least five companies. Compare and contrast these quotes before making a final move. Remember, the cheapest quote isn’t always the best service! 

One of the most important things to do when you take the decision to hire a contractor is to review the offer that they have written for you. Get the contactor to justify everything to you, and you should ask them question after questions.Get clarification on the terms and conditions and ensure that the contract can be interpreted to be concise and to the point in general.

Get plenty of references

Get as many references as possible. To get references, you should make a few telephone calls. Always remember that the service provider should be licensed and certified. So don’t be afraid to ask your service provider to provide these documents. 

When researching the contractor, you can verify the customers with whom they worked with. It is important to consider the customer base as this would allow you to contact them and let you know if they are happy with the work or if there is some issue they ever encountered. If the organisation you are hiring for your job is doing a good business so there would be no reluctance about discussing with you their customer base. This will also help you get in touch with a couple of their customers to check if they were happy with the jobs.

Decide on a target timeframe 

Ensure if the service provider is prepared to work with a schedule and plan in mind. You should get both the quote and the timeframe written down and signed by your contractor.

Do they have a reliable name?

Just like all businesses, the waterproofing contractor you hire should be registered, knowledgeable and reasonable. They should have a reputation for doing good work.

Keep an eye out on hidden charges

Last but certainly not least, the service provider shouldn’t have any hidden costs. Make sure their quotation is complete and comprehensive! Ensure that you sign a contract when you accept their quote. Get clarification on the terms and conditions and ensure that the contract can be interpreted to be concise and to the point.

If you are looking out for a waterproofing contractor or in need of waterproofing services then get 3 free no obligation quotes from our local trusted waterproofing contractors at service.com.au