We worked with United Waterproofing after our basement (500 sq ft) flooded due to a sump pump failure. The job was to negotiate with our insurance company, move our belongings into storage, tear out drywall and carpeting, mold remediation, waterproofing, and rebuilding the walls. We were told that our insurance payment of 11k would cover the full cost of the project.
The work crew showed up the next day and moved everything into a Uhaul truck, and tore out carpeting and walls while we were still negotiating the costs and scope of the project.
Still without a contract, the crew showed up on the second day, and, to our surprise, jackhammered the entire perimeter of our basement floor, tearing out our existing (and fully functional) French drains and piping. Neither I nor my husband had any idea that the work was going to be this extensive or redundant. We understood waterproofing to mean enhancing our existing system, not destroying it and replacing it for no discernible reason.
It was at this point, while our basement was torn up, with all of the existing waterproofing removed and water quickly rising in the muddy ditches they dug, that the contractor told us the project would actually cost more than $18k to complete. We were blindsided by this, and since we still had no contract and no idea how much more expensive it was going to become with this company, we asked them to stop working.
We were invoiced for the work completed (moving furniture, removing carpet and drywall, mold remediation and demolishing our French drains) which, ironically, came to just under $11k (total insurance payout was $11k). We had another company finish the work for a total cost that was substantially lower than that quoted by United Waterproofing.
I'm not saying whether or not to use this company, I would just advise anyone considering it to get an itemized signed contract before handing over the house key. I would also deal with the insurance company on my own and not disclose any financial details to the contractor. read more
