6 Reasons a Licensed Contractor Should Handle Your Waterproofing Project

You need to hire a licensed home improvement contractor if you want to waterproof your home. Even if you get comparable quotes from licensed and unlicensed contractors, the benefits of working with a licensed contractor tilt the balance in their favor. Read on to learn more about working with a licensed contractor.         

1. They Are Experienced

Pennsylvania state law requires all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvement work in a year to have a license. Thus, a contractor without a license is unlikely to have waterproofed a basement in a calendar year, assuming they comply with legal requirements. A license likely shows the contractor has been working and has some experience.

The experience issue is a big deal because waterproofing is a science that requires skill and experience. For example, effective waterproofing requires a multifaceted approach, including exterior waterproofing, interior waterproofing, and drainage system improvement.

2. They Disclose Their Criminal Background

The law requires home improvement contractors to disclose their criminal background when applying for a license. The disclosure includes criminal convictions and pleas. Serious criminals are unlikely to approach the government for licensing. Thus, you can trust your waterproofing contractor once you see their license.

3. They Have Relevant Insurance Coverage

Contractor licensing requires relevant forms of insurance coverage. One is personal injury liability coverage, which protects third parties from injuries they might sustain during home improvement. For example, if a visitor slips and falls in your home during waterproofing, your contractor's license will compensate the victim. That way, you escape blame for the mishap.

A licensed contractor should also carry property damage coverage. This coverage protects you from accidental damages the contractor's work might cause to your home. For example, the coverage may reimburse you for a new rug if the contractor accidentally ruins yours with waterproofing chemicals. 

4. They Write Good Contracts

A home improvement contract defines your relationship with the contractor and the validity of the relationship. The law requires licensed contractors to have written contracts for all projects valued at over $500. The contract must include:

• The project's start and completion date
• The project's cost
• The scope of work
• Your rights to cancel the contract

Such details protect your contractor and you. For example, you don't have to pay additional money for the same work once the project begins. You might not get such a detailed and fair contract if you work with an unlicensed contractor.

5. They Charge a Reasonable Down Payment

Like the contract, the down payment concept protects your contractor and you. The down payment is your commitment to the work and promises to the contractor to pay their dues upon the project's completion. The down payment also ties the contractor to your job.

The down payment should be reasonable to protect both parties' interests. For that reason, state laws limit the down payment you must pay for specific projects. A licensed contractor understands and adheres to such limitations.

6. They Are Accessible

Lastly, home improvement contractors provide relevant information that you can use to track or get more information on them. For example, the contractor provides:

• Their names
• Their contacts (such as an address, email, and phone number)
• Information on former businesses
• Partners, managers, and identities of other people with an interest in the business

If your basement waterproofing fails a few weeks after the project and an unlicensed contractor performed the work, you might not know how to track them, but tracking a licensed party is easy. You can also use the licensing information to research your contractor before hiring them.

Central Penn Waterproofing carries Pennsylvania's license for home improvement contractors. We have a combined experience of over 40 years in the industry. Contact us for the waterproofing project and benefit from our affordable, quality workmanship.