Waterproofers

Let's face it, the waterproofing industry does not enjoy the best of reputations.  Integrity was formed with the idea that there must be a better way.  With this in mind, and with no intention of knocking the competition, allow us to explain some pitfalls in dealing with basement waterproofers.

The Appointment:  A sure sign that you are dealing with a system company is that they will insist that all homeowners be present for the appointment.  The company will refuse to send a salesman to your home unless both spouses or all owners commit to listen to the pitch.  When an appointment is set under this condition, you can count on a presentation that relies on scare tactics and high pressure to achieve a one call close.

The Salesman:  Waterproofing salesman generally introduce themselves as anyone but a salesman.  They are expected to close the sale in one visit, and generally earn a ten to fifteen percent commission.  They tend to have very little technical knowledge, they are however very persuasive at delivering a canned presentation.  Remember, these salesman are trained to sell one system.  They may see twenty homeowners a week with twenty different problems, yet they are delivering the same presentation every time.  The salesman is unable to offer alternatives.  He is unable to offer less costly options.  He is required to always sell the system.  As for sales tactics, look out for the discount.  If the salesman is unsuccessful in convincing you to sign a contract, he will come up with a way to save you a lot of money.  Of course the only way you can take advantage of this terrific savings is if you sign the contract now.  The only customers not offered this special deal are the ones who agree to sign the contract at the opening price.  Finally, the system salesman may attempt to discourage you from receiving other estimates.  This should always be a red flag to the homeowner.  If they were confident in their product, and their company, they would welcome you the opportunity to shop and compare.

The Inspection:  Waterproofing salesmen are taught to exaggerate your problem.  Using words like advanced, major, or critical, the purpose of the inspection is to create fear and a sense of urgency.  The actual cause of the problem is unimportant to the system companies, because the solution they will offer is the same for everyone.  The inspection offers the salesman an opportunity to begin the scare tactics that ultimately sells a lot of water control systems.  Here you will be asked questions about your health.  Do you have allergies, or respiratory problems?  This is an opportunity to use unreliable and easily manipulated devices, such as mold or moisture detectors.  An honest professional waterproofer will inspect your foundation to find the cause of your problem in order to offer a problem solving approach, instead of a one size fits all system.

The Guarantee:  Read the guarantee carefully.  Most cover seepage only.  You may have contracted with a company because you were concerned about cracking and or damp spots on the wall.  A salesman may steer you to a system that does not address your problem and in fact may make it worse.  As the cracks get bigger you call for service.  Nowhere in the guarantee does it state that cracking is covered.  If your basement leaks they will service it.  If your wall bows or shifts, you are on your own.

The System:  System companies rely on interior drains and a sump pump to control the water.  They may call it something different, but a pump placed under the floor is a sump pump, and drains placed under the floor are interior drains.  In order to gain a competitive advantage they will combine the interior system with something else, usually some sort of outside work.  The outside work generally benefits the homeowner very little, and allows the company to drive up their price.  Some companies in order to eliminate the competition, actually price different methods as if they do them.  They will price exterior waterproofing ridiculously high, interior water control extremely low, and the system they want to sell you somewhere in the middle.  You will be lead to believe that the only way to remedy your problem is with their exclusive and sometimes patented system.  Other system companies have come up with different water control methods, on top the footer or above the floor products.  Although marketed extremely well these systems fail in comparison to traditional methods.  System companies generally will try and convince customers to waterproof the entire basement.  While it may be necessary, often times it is not.

The Installation:  Waterproofing and water control companies tend to underpay their installers.  This results in high turnover and unhappy crews.  They also apply a great deal of pressure requiring their crews to work fast.  When you have inexperienced installers cutting corners to bring jobs in on time is it any wonder that this industry disappoints their customers so often?

Coupons and Discounts:  In the home improvement industry and particularly in the waterproofing business, coupons are generally added to the cost prior to the homeowner receiving a price.  Besides tracking advertising, one of the reasons for asking you where you heard about the company, is to determine if you are going to present a coupon so the price can be adjusted accordingly.  Notice that the same companies offering a winter discount, will offer spring savings, summer specials, and fall bargains.  As for discounts, Integrity Waterproofing believes in offering our best price up front and all the time.  We will not offer an, if you buy now discount. We will not continually call you offering additional discounts.  Besides, what good is a discount if the price is still greatly inflated.

Reputation:  Check out a companies Better Business Bureau report on line.  The reporting B.B.B. is dependent on what county the company is located in.  Generally one of the two bureaus linked here will provide you with the reports you are looking for.

 http://akronbbb.org/         http://www.cleveland.bbb.org/

You may also want to check with the Ohio Attorney Generals office for a listing of complaints.

 http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/SpeakOutOhio/Search-Consumer-Complaints

Finally, a great reference source is Angie's List.  Here you can view reports submitted by members detailing their experiences with service providers.

 http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/

 INTEGRITY WATERPROOFING

Winners of the Super Service Award for 6 Years Running, 2006 - 2011

  Member in Good Standing of the Cleveland Better Business Bureau


Experienced, Honest, Affordable

Call

800-865-7044

216-221-5443

or email

steve@integritywaterproofing.com