Vulcan Waterproofing: Any experiences (good or bad)?
Greetings
I actually just posted a very similar question a day or 2 before you did:
I’m looking to get a drainage system for my cellar. A company called Mid-Atlantic came out to give me an estimate, and they said that it is necessary to get a permit from the city to tie the sump pump drain line into the sewer main, and to actually have a city engineer do that aspect of the project (which adds about $2k on to the $5k they charge to do the work). Other companies, such as Vulcan, said that a permit is not necessary. Their estimate was $3,600 + another $1,200 to add a ventilation system (they would also do a length of the party walls, in addition to the back wall, which was not included in Mid-Atlantic’s scope of work).
So, essentially, I have 2 “expert” opinions, one says watch out for contractors that don’t mention the need for permits, because they would only get a slap on the wrist for doing the work, but the homeowner would face steep penalties; the other saying that that is absolutely incorrect. [I had a 3rd estimate for $5k from “New Vision Improvements,” but that guy didn’t strike me as terribly professional, so I knocked him out the box. I had another contractor come by to give me an estimate on a basement renovation project which included waterproofing, and he was the only one of the four that suggested digging out along the foundation from the outside.]
I’ve tried to extract the real answer from the city, but have only reached a bunch of voicemails.
Anyone know the definitive answer, or know how I might reach an actual human at the DOB who would know?
…
UPDATE: I got a hold of someone in Brooklyn’s “Plumbing Chief” office. He told me that getting a drainage system put in does require a permit, and that the contractor only gets in trouble if they are caught in the act of doing the work without a permit — otherwise it is the homeowner who gets in all the trouble if it’s discovered that the work was done illegally.
So…it looks like one reason Vulcan may be able to charge less than, for example, Mid-Atlantic, is that Mid-Atlantic insists on doing everything by the book (including having you pay $2k in permit fees to the city), whereas Vulcan is willing to take the risk of doing the work hush hush.
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in Cellar 13 years and 7 months ago
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anon552 | 13 years and 7 months ago
Considering three bids on basement waterproofing. Vulcan came in lower than the other two. Significantly lower. Each promised to do the same job, each provides 10-year guarantee that no water would enter in the vicinity of their drainage system. Help me decide.
bedstuywalla | 13 years and 7 months ago
I am also considering getting our basement waterproofed. Would you mind sharing the three bids with the community??
guikazoid | 13 years and 7 months ago
same here… ive recieved a quote from mid-atlantic and paul’s construction corp. two totally different approaches. mid-atlantic suggested a french drain system. paul suggested waterproofing the backyard foundation’s exterior by excavating. the price difference was just a few k (paul’s being a little more expensive). my concern about the french drain is that i dont get a lot of water in the cellar; it seems to just be small seepage over time. correct me if i am wrong but a french drain would be more effective for lots of water entering into the cellar. another concern i had about mid-atlantic was their aggressive sales approach.
anon552 | 13 years and 7 months ago
Between Irene and Lee, there are thousands of wet basements in Brownstone Brooklyn. And, there are dozens of unsavory contractors just waiting to take advantage of your suffering and take your money. Please invest $500 in a survey by a licensed engineer before calling waterproofing contractors (I used Fred Glaser of Tauscher Cronacher Engineers @ 516.766.1019). A good engineer will take a careful history from you and examine every nook and cranny inside and outside your home to determine the source of the problem (ie, entry of standing water from the outside of the home, entry of water through slab from rising water table or both). Such a survey will save you needless expense, as many waterproofing companies will try to sell you a bigger bill of goods than you need. I have received estimates from three waterproofing contractors: two owner-operated small firms, both of whom gave me the exact same price and one monster firm (Vulcan), who quoted a price nearly $1000 less than the small guys. It appears they can afford to charge less, since they do such a massive volume of work in the metro area. I have yet to hear anything bad about Vulcan (Brownstoner readers speak up if you have had a different experience) and they provide the same 10-year guarantee: if water enters your house in the vicinity of their drainage system, they will return and resolve the issue at no additional charge. I have yet to decide on which contractor to use, and my ultimately pick one of the smaller guys. Having water in your house has both physical and psychological effects. It’s bad enough you need to wet vac water, sanitize and treat for mold. But to have that feeling of dread every time there’s a big storm is a feeling not unlike having an intruder in your home. Despite that reality, it is important to take a logical, scientific approach to waterproofing, doing a complete job that won’t need to be redone, yet not spending money on aspects of waterproofing that are irrelevant to your situation. Thus, the engineering survey is, I feel, money well spent.
callalily | 13 years and 7 months ago
Excavate sounds potentially risky. Do they take out a permit? How do you know the building won’t fall down?