Choosing a Specialty Contractor

With multiple specialty contractors in the market now, it’s hard to know what to look for when choosing your waterproofing and foundation contactor.

My advice. Do your research but don’t be afraid to wait for a company with a longer wait time. If they are busy there is a good reason for it. Most contractors who have been in business for any length of time are in demand. There will be a wait. Most are about a 2-week minimum during one of their slower seasons.

Consider the experience and history of the company. How long have they been in business as the current company, some claim tenure of a previous company? Have there been multiple changes of ownership and/or company name? How long have they been offering these services? Is this something they have been doing for a long time or a new service they just started?

The contractor should take the time to hear and understand your concerns. He or she will be able to explain the solution and answer all your questions.

Ratings.

See what others are saying. How do they measure up? Are the reviews real? Every company that has been in business for a while will have a few less than stellar reviews. So, look and see how the company responds to those customers. Look for the overall picture when you compare all the reviews. Check multiple sites.

Warranty.

What happens when something goes wrong? Regardless if the fault is either human error or product error it is important you know the company has your back.

Most companies do offer a warranty but pay close attention to the weight of that warranty. There is a difference between a warranty offered by the current company and a nationally backed warranty. The basic warranty offered by a company is only as good as that company name. If something happens to that company or even a name changes the warranty is null and void.

A nationally backed warranty protects you even if something happens to the company or its owners. The organization or network they purchase products from will still cover any warranty issues.

Associations and Accreditations.

Contractor License. A License is important for anyone working on your home. It protects you as the home owner.

Insurance. The dollar amount the contractor is covered for a project is very important especially in larger projects.  Your project is only insured for as much as that contractor is insured.

BBB. A creditable organization that mandates the company meet specific requirements, will show honest reviews and complaints. Also act as mediator between a business and customer as needed.

You can learn a lot about the company a business keeps. Being a part of other organizations within the industry shows invested interest as well as continued education. Networking with these like-minded groups keeps both parties aware of new developments and trends of the industry. The experience of others is a valuable resource.

• National Foundation Repair Association
• Home Builder’s association
• Chamber Member
• Network Associations, etc.

It is important to know that your contractor is using the best products and techniques. Do your research find out who designs their products as well as search for reviews on those products. Are the products outdated or are they exceeding the standards?

Employees.

Look at the employees; they should be genuinely happy, enjoy what they do, and truly believe they are providing a valuable service to the customers. Turn over is normal in every industry but tenure and workplace awards are also indicators of a healthy work environment.

At the end of the day your contractor should communicate with you, you should feel comfortable and trust them. The contactor should be able to provide a service you feel confident in and make your life easier.