Key Takeaways
- Whether a company subcontracts the work is one of the most important — and most overlooked — questions, since it affects accountability if something goes wrong.
- A written, specific warranty (length, what's covered, and whether it's transferable) matters more than a verbal promise.
- A contractor should be able to explain what's actually causing your leak, not just recommend a generic fix before assessing your home.
- Ask what happens if the fix doesn't work — a confident, specific answer is a good sign; vagueness isn't.
- Licensing, insurance, and WSIB coverage protect you if something goes wrong during the work — always confirm them directly.
Basement waterproofing is a significant investment, and it's the kind of work you generally only want to have done once. Asking the right questions upfront is how you separate a contractor who will diagnose and fix the actual problem from one who's just going to sell you a generic solution.
1. "Do you subcontract the work, or is it your own crew?"
This is one of the most important questions you can ask, and one of the easiest to overlook. When a company subcontracts, the crew doing the actual digging and installation may not be the same people who sold you the job, and accountability for the quality of work can get murky if something goes wrong. A company that uses its own, direct-hire crew has full oversight from the initial assessment through to completion.
2. "What exactly does your warranty cover, and for how long?"
Ask for specifics: the exact length of the warranty, what it actually covers (the membrane, the labour, or both), and whether it transfers to a new owner if you sell the home. A vague answer like "we stand behind our work" isn't the same as a written, specific warranty term.
3. "How are you diagnosing the actual cause of my leak?"
A contractor should be able to explain, in plain terms, why they believe water is entering where it is — whether that's a foundation crack, failed weeping tile, poor grading, or something else — before recommending a specific fix. Be cautious of anyone who proposes a solution before actually assessing your basement.
4. "What happens if the problem isn't fully fixed?"
This question reveals a lot. A confident, specific answer about what recourse you have — a warranty callback, a re-assessment, adjustments at no extra cost — is a good sign. Vagueness or defensiveness in response to this question is worth paying attention to.
5. "Are you licensed, insured, and WSIB-covered?"
This protects you directly. If a worker is injured on your property and the company isn't properly insured or WSIB-covered, you could be exposed to liability. A legitimate contractor should be able to confirm this without hesitation.
Putting it together
None of these questions are meant to be adversarial — a contractor confident in their work should welcome all five. The pattern to watch for isn't one imperfect answer, but a company that can't or won't give you straight answers to more than one of these. That's usually a better predictor of the experience you'll have than the number on the quote itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does it matter if the work is subcontracted?
- When a company subcontracts, you often don't know who is actually doing the work, what their experience level is, or who to hold accountable if something goes wrong. A company using its own crew has direct oversight and accountability for the result.
- What's a reasonable warranty length for basement waterproofing?
- Warranty terms vary by company, but a meaningful warranty should be specific about its length, what's covered, and whether it transfers to a new owner if you sell your home — vague or verbal-only warranty claims are a red flag.
- Should a contractor give me a price without seeing my basement?
- Be cautious of a firm price quoted without an on-site assessment. Waterproofing costs depend heavily on site-specific factors — accessibility, soil conditions, existing drainage condition — that can't be accurately judged without seeing the property.
- Is it normal for waterproofing quotes to vary a lot between companies?
- Yes, and that's exactly why it's worth understanding what's included in each quote — scope of work, materials, and warranty terms all differ, so the lowest number isn't automatically the best value.