When seeking out a contractor to perform basement waterproofing services, many homeowners are attracted by offers of free estimates because they provide homeowners with the opportunity to obtain several "professional" opinions and shop around for the best price with no obligation to hire any particular waterproofing contractor. Most sources of advice concerning the hiring of contractors typically recommend that you obtain 3 estimates for any contemplated work. Consider however, that depending on the scope of the work, spending 1-1/2 to 3 hours consulting with 3 different contractors at 3 separate appointments may not be worth your time and trouble; this is particularly true for poured concrete foundation crack injections that typically cost $400 - $500. Note: For small jobs, do check out the company with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and look at the contractor's website; this information should enable you to determine whom you can hire with confidence (It is also the "Green" approach). A chat with a technician will also provide you with some sense of the professionalism and competence of the company that you will be dealing with.
The reality is that waterproofing contractors are effectively forced to offer free estimates because most of their competitors offer them. When a waterproofing contractor visits your home to provide you with an estimate they are obviously interested in obtaining your business; however, if they do not get your business they have incurred a cost for which there is no financial return. Given this reality, there is a natural tendency among contractors to spend the least amount of time possible in your home; this tendency has significant implications of which you must be aware:
The Implications Associated With "Free Estimates"
1. A free estimate, written or otherwise, is only of value if the proposed waterproofing solution will actually resolve your problem.
2. When the interior foundation walls are bare it is easy to establish the cause of a leaky basement because staining on the walls is typically visible.
3. In a finished basement, it is difficult to establish the precise leak source(s) without the use of expensive diagnostic equipment (which we have). Nonetheless, in many cases, it is necessary to visually inspect the bare foundation wall to ascertain the leak source; consequently, drywall must be cut open, or panelling must be removed, to allow inspection. Positively identifying a leak source takes time, which contractors are typically reluctant to spend without any guarantee that you will hire them to do the work. It is worth noting that, without a visual inspection of the interior side of a foundation wall, it is not possible to determine if structural reinforcement of the wall is necessary. Furthermore, since water from a basement leak travels along the slope of the floor and is effectively trapped by the sole plate of a framed basement wall, or by the border of a ceramic tile floor, without visual confirmation of the leak, it is possible that, without proper inspection, the contractor will recommend waterproofing in a location where it is not actually needed. We have encountered many instances where external waterproofing was done in the wrong location!
4. A proper inspection is essential; did you know that approximately 5-10% of basement leaks are the result of water infiltration from above the foundation or the result of a plumbing leak? Paying thousands of dollars for external waterproofing and then finding out that your problem is actually a plumbing leak will likely be quite upsetting. If the water in your basement is not the result of a foundation leak you will have thrown away your money and you can be sure that you will not be reimbursed by the waterproofing contractor for work that should not have been done in the first place.
5. Since 90-95% of wet basements result from leaking cracks, leaking concrete block or cinderblock walls, or other typical basement leaks, in the absence of a thorough investigation, most waterproofing contractors will provide you with a quote for external waterproofing work or the installation of an internal perimeter drain or de-watering system. These "broad brush" waterproofing methods will work for true foundation leaks; not surprisingly, they also happen to be the most expensive methods by which to fix basement leaks. Some wet basement repair options are far more cost effective than others; click the followng hyperlink to view a table containing a comprehensive list of methods to repair any leaky basement.
6. Not only is correct problem diagnosis crucial, the extent of waterproofing that is required is equally important. Doing more waterproofing than necessary is costly and wasteful; similarly, not doing enough will be very frustrating when you realize that the problem has not been entirely addressed. The majority of external foundation waterproofing and perimeter drain system installations are "partial systems" in that only 1 or 2 walls are typically waterproofed; sometimes, only a portion of a wall is waterproofed; the scope of required waterproofing, as well as the best approach to take from a technical and cost perspective, is established during the estimate appointment. It is for this reason that AquaGuard Injection & Waterproofing® only sends qualified technicians, not salespeople, to your home to inspect and provide fixed price quotes.
Based on the realities discussed above, it is clear that a proper inspection of your foundation is an absolute must before you enter into a contract with anyone to do basement waterproofing work. The requirement for proper diagnosis is common in many other service sectors; for example, an inspection is always carried out by an automotive repair shop before an estimate is provided, plumbers charge for a service call, and the list goes on. The bottom line is that an estimate is not worth the paper it is written on unless a proper investigation has been carried out. Given the financial risks you incur by having work done in the wrong location or by doing unnecessary work, hiring the contractor who has gone to the trouble of conducting a comprehensive investigation would only be logical since you have already experienced the diligence and professionalism that is likely typical of that contractor.
Some Estimates Can Be Obtained With A Simple Phone Call!
Note: If you are able to positively identify the leak source on your own, you should be able to get a "ball-park" quote over the phone, especially in the case of poured concrete foundations. Since any reputable waterproofing contractor has fixed pricing for their services, they should have no problem giving you an idea of the approximate cost of the repair. Obtaining an estimate over the phone not only prevents you from being subjected to situations in which you are being pressured to sign a contract on the spot, it also gives you an opportunity to be green and reduce your carbon footprint on our planet.
If you are sure as to where and why your basement is leaking, call us at 1.888.284.2384 ; we will most likely be able to give you a relatively accurate quote over the phone. If you can't figure out why you have a wet basement, call us to schedule an inspection, we are in business to help you. Note: If you are looking for a contractor to locate the source of a problem that you intend to repair yourself; please do not waste our time.
For the most part, in life, you get what you pay for. If you hire a lawyer you will pay $125 per hour for an articling student or $450 and up per hour for a partner in a law firm; the hourly rate is a reflection of a person's skill and experience. In waterproofing, a low quote should give you cause for reflection as the quote most certainly involves shortcuts and/or trade-offs in skill, experience, training, materials and equipment, to which you would not knowingly agree.