Whether you’re waterproofing your basement or remodeling it into extra living space, finding a reliable home contractor is essential to protecting your investment in your property. It’s not always an easy task. There are a lot of Pittsburgh contractors who have polished websites, a fleet of shiny vehicles, and a shocking list of customer complaints. As one of the most trusted basement service contractors in Western Pennsylvania, we’ve cleaned up plenty of messes left behind by “budget” contractors who’ve disappeared, and we want to help you avoid becoming their next victim.
Your Most Important Nest Egg
Your home is both an investment and a sanctuary. It’s where you live, relax, grow your family, and even work. It’s also an investment in your future. As property values continue to rise, protecting that investment with mindful additions and renovations by a home contractor you can count on can help grow your nest egg to provide for your golden years or your family’s future. It’s not a responsibility you want to trust to just anyone.
Our Top Tips for Choosing a Home Contractor
The hardest thing to do when looking for a home contractor can be to take your time and not rush the process. The work often involves a sizable investment, and there are important factors to consider anytime you need work done on your home. To add to this stress, sometimes, the longer you wait, the more likely your property will be damaged. Our top tips will help you streamline your home contractor selection process so you can make the right decision with confidence in a timely manner.
- Verify Your Home Contractor is Licensed and Insured
Licensing verifies your home contractor is registered with the city or state you live in. This usually entails providing their full contact information, business license, and proof of tax compliance. They’re also usually required to provide proof of current insurance liability and workman’s comp insurance coverage. Hiring licensed home contractors helps protect you from being responsible for damages due to their actions on your property.
You should also find out if your home contractor carries insurance or bonding that protects your funds and property. Bonding ensures that you can recoup money paid for work not completed. Meanwhile, property damage insurance can compensate you for damage to your property that falls outside their liability coverage limits.
- Ask For Testimonials or Referrals
Ask any potential home contractor for a list of referrals, or check their website for testimonials. One of the surest ways to find out if they do good, high-quality work is to take a look at work they’ve previously done. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau, which maintains a list of customer complaints received about contractors. For Pittsburgh contractors, the BBB maintains a rating even if the business doesn’t subscribe to its paid accreditation services.
- Get a Written Estimate
Written estimates give you a line-item quote on the work to be done by your home contractor. With basement service providers, this can include waterproofing, repairs, remodeling, and more. A detailed, honest estimate gives you real numbers for planning purposes and a tool to compare with estimates from other contractors to find the best deal for your money.
- Ask Questions
You should ask questions about your written estimate and the home contractor you’re considering, but the contractor should not only welcome them but also provide information you may not think to ask about. A professional contractor has nothing to hide, and they know that the better informed you are, the happier you’ll be with the finished product. Talk to them about line items, options, and opportunities they may have seen to give you more flexibility when choosing the right basement services for your home.
- Read the Contract – Especially the Warranty
`Before signing a contract with a home services provider of any type, read over it carefully. The contract is the binding legal document that lays out the rights and responsibilities of both you and the home contractor in your business relationship. This can include how costs and service fees are managed, payment details, schedules, and, most importantly, any warranties or guarantees that are being provided. These help ensure that they’ll make it right if adjustments, touch-ups, or further work is needed due to failing parts, improper installation, or subpar service.
- Verify the Details
There’s a lot of variation in how Pittsburgh contractors handle their business. Make sure you understand whether you need to arrange for permits and utility markings or if the contractor will. You should also verify the proposed schedule, duration of the work, and any other details beforehand. Make sure you work with a home contractor who understands your need for this information and will walk you through the process every step of the way, as many times as necessary.
Pitt’s Most Trusted Basement Service Contractor is Ready to Help
We’re proud of the foundation and basement services we’ve provided to your friends and neighbors throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. We’re fully licensed and insured, offer testimonials on our website, and proudly have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Our customers know they can count on us to deliver professional results with warrantied American parts and a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship.
One of our experienced inspectors can provide a free basement inspection with no obligation. They will identify any damage, tailor a waterproofing plan to protect your foundation, and provide a written estimate for your basement’s needs. We stand by you every step of the way, answering questions, managing the details, and fulfilling our commitment to help you protect and enhance your property. Schedule your quote from A.M. Wall Anchor & Waterproofing today.
