How to Choose a Basement Waterproofing or Radon Contractor
Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026 · Sources linked in the text
A good contractor explains the cause before selling a fix. Use this checklist when you talk to any company, including ones listed here. Inclusion on Ohio Dry Basement is not an endorsement.
Before anyone visits
- Look for simple causes first: clogged gutters, downspouts that dump next to the house, and soil that slopes toward the foundation.
- Check the Better Business Bureau profile for complaints and how they were answered (bbb.org).
- For radon work, ask for the ODH license number (RC for the company) and confirm it on the Ohio Department of Health's Radon Licensure map (ODH).
Questions to ask during the estimate
- What is causing the water, and how do you know?
- Interior or exterior system, and why that one for my house?
- What exactly is included: feet of drain, pump model, battery backup, discharge line, cleanup?
- Who pulls the building permit?
- Is the warranty written, what does it cover, and does it transfer if I sell?
- Are you insured, and are crews employees or subcontractors?
- For foundation work: will an engineer be involved for bowing or settling walls?
Red flags
- Pressure to sign the same day, or "today only" discounts.
- A full system proposed without explaining the cause. One Cleveland-area contractor describes competitors trying to sell a full system "to a customer with a blocked downspout line" (B-Dry).
- No written contract or a vague scope.
Get two or three quotes
Comparing written estimates is the best protection. Our free form sends your request to up to 3 local contractors.