"BASEMENT WATERPROOFING"
"BASEMENT WATER CONTROL"
This guy from a "chain" / "dealership" show up to do your estimate???
Remember the "great deal" you got on your first used car???
Same guy!!!
--------------------
"USED CAR SALESMEN TYPES" - don't be bulldozed by
"high pressure"
"had a job cancel and can give you a good price if you sign up now"
"want to keep our guys working"
"talked to my boss and can give you a good price if you sign up now"
"your walls may collapse"
"just for you"
"special deal"
"any variations on this theme - you will know them when you hear them"
Be wary and take the time to check out all companies (including us) that you are considering and especially those that push & push you to "signup on the spot" (red flag) - a little of your time up front will save you a lot of wishful hindsight down the road...
We could name these companies but that would be considered unethical - it's not unethical for YOU to CHECK THEM OUT (this page tells you how)...
Presentation of certificates of membership in impressive sounding so called "trade associations" is fluff (alphabet soup titles - internet or post office box operations) - anyone who is willing to pay their membership fee can join - EVEN YOU CAN JOIN - just mail them a company name and a check and they will send you a fancy looking embossed membership certificate like the PHD sheepskins sold on Broadway - you can hang it in your bathroom in case you run out of paper...
"TESTIMONIALS" (a dime a dozen and worth every penny)
One lady told us she was presented with 8 "testimonials" by a "chain dealership"...
3 were wrong #'s
2 were changed to not-listed
2 were no such #'s
1 she reached - said he sounded more like a salesman than a homeowner to her
That's a typical result!!!
Be wary if they are overly glossy - they may well be connected to the company you are checking on...
If you do get a REAL one !!! "Testimonials" are "solicited" immediatly after the job has been completed - the water is gone, they cleaned up after themselves and the job looks good - "What's not to like" ??? - why not write up a few lines about how pleased you are,
AT THAT POINT IN TIME
Find the "real testimonials" - they won't mention those!!!
For the down the road "test of time reality"
on your computer type in,
CT WATERPROOFING COMPLAINTS or
COMPLAINTS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING or
COMPLAINTS.COM or
COMPLAINTS (THEN THE COMPANY NAME ) or
ANY COMBINATION OF WORDS TO THE ABOVE EFFECT or
SMALL CLAIMS COURT ACTIONS or
DEPT. OF CONSUMER PROTECTION or
CT STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL or
WHATEVER ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF
You will find a long list of "chain" / "dealerships" and for problems that came up "AFTER" their glowing "SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS" for SALES, SERVICE, CONTRACT, TRUTH IN ADVERTISING, FINANCING, GUARANTEE, REPAIR & PRODUCT ISSUES...
IF YOU LIKE TO CHECK WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AS A REFERENCE SOURCE READING THE FOLLOWING IS A MUST - IT'S NO LONGER WHAT YOU THINK IT IS...
BBBROUNDUP.COM (the Better Business Bureau - may surprise you)
RIPOFFREPORT.COM (more on the Better Business Bureau)
COURANT.COM (Hartford Courant watchdog section - more yet on the Better Business Bureau)
MECHANICSROUNDUP.COM (tradesmen and US Congress on the Better Business Bureau)
CT STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE (check out the CT State Attorney Generals investigation into the Better Business Bureau's bogus "TORCH AWARDS"
AND THESE ARE ONLY A FEW!!!
If you punch up CT BBB PAY FOR PLAY on your keyboard you will find our full position regarding these issues...
WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT A MEMBER OF THIS "NEW" BBB - WE HAD BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 2003 BUT DID NOT RENEW OUR MEMBERSHIP IN 2009 IN THIS NEW BBB - IF WE RE-JOIN (PAY THEM) IT'S AN AUTOMATIC A+ - AAA HOME REPAIR IS A STRAIGHT UP AND UP FRONT COMPANY AND ONLY WISH TO BE CONNECTED WITH OTHERS WHO CAN SAY THE SAME - THE BBB NO LONGER FITS THAT BILL...
Our advice, CHECK THEM OUT...
While you are at it CHECK US OUT AS WELL...
After 10 years in business OUR "ATTESTABLE" RECORD (objective not subjective)
N0 complaints
N0 failures
N0 litigations
20/20 "hindsight", in basement waterproofing, means you're a day late and a lot of dollars short!!!
------------------------
BACK TO WATERPROOFING
THIS IS THE USUAL SCENARIO AS IT'S PLAYED OUT
"PROCRASTINATION", the 8th deadly sin
1 - You had a dry basement for years or never got water...
2 - We get an exceptionally heavy rain and you get a little water coming in for the first time - (this is the time to have it professionally fixed)...
3 - First you try to do it yourself so you buy canned cement, tubes of sealants, tar, caulking or a paint that you find, in short order, don't work (wasted motion and $$$) - you may even call for a couple of estimates from the big phone book ad boys but will conclude they are all to expensive - you'll be right, they will be - those big promo pizzazz ads are very expensive and that cost, like all operational costs, is within YOUR estimate...
4 - After a few days the water dries up so it is no longer on the priority list - out of sight / out of mind - STRIKE 1...
5 - A few more heavy rains and now you are getting more water than the 1st time...
6 - A touch of panic now sets in so you hit the phones again (still looking at the big phone book ads) assuming these are all straight shooters (don't bet more on that than you can afford to lose) - the prices quoted still in fantasy land - once again it dries up so once again it goes to the back burner - STRIKE 2...
7 - A damp, dead, musty smell and some fungus presents itself so you clean it up with some bleach / problem solved ??? / no way - some, at this point, buy a de-humidifier assuming this will solve the problem - save your money, it won't - you have to stop or control the incoming water first - a de-humidifer will control the "normal" migration of moisture and the humidity generated by any buried concrete structure but NOT incoming water...
8 - A few more heavy 2 or 3 day rains and you get flooded big time - 2"/3"/4" of water or more ( more a question of when than if - it doesn't go away by itself - once it starts it gets progressively worst) - musty odor / mildew / rodents / bugs & dirty water - rugs / flooring / baseboards / lower walls / doors & stored items ruined - mold starts growing all over the place - furnace / water heater / motors & pumps in jeopardy or under water - danger of electrical fires / electrocution - the final blow is you find out your insurance doesn't cover it - THE FAT LADY IS SINGING - STRIKE 3 YOU'RE OUT...
If you have waited this long, as most do, CALL US AND KEEP MOST OF YOUR $$$ IN YOUR POCKET
We suggest you call us at line 2 above
--------------------------------------------------
NOW, TO OUR ONE QUESTION TO YOU ???
"How many times do you want to do your job???"
If your answer is ONCE give us a call...
Our sales manager will make you an offer you can't refuse
AAA HOME REPAIR - Basement Waterproofing
Danbury, CT.
203-743-6988 24/7/365
THAT'S IT - END OF STORY
Thanks for visiting our sites - we hope this lengthy tutorial has been helpful and informative and, if you are within our work area, you will give AAA HOME REPAIR your consideration for your job...
Got questions or comments - EMAIL US @ aaahomerepair@sbcglobal.net
Even if you are out of our service area we will respond to your Email if you have questions - any location / we receive and respond to informational requests worldwide - no obligation...
This waterproofing dissertation, for better or worst, by Jack
finish
