I initially contacted Tricolour in late May along with 4 other companies who specialized in basement renovations and underpinning to get quotes and a timeline to undertake the work, should we decide to go with them.
We selected Tricolour, not only because they came recommended from a neighbour who used them a couple years earler, but they were also the most responsive in terms of answering questions, providing clarifications when asked and of course price.
You will still need to get an architect to do up the building plans for submission to the city to get the permits. But Pat and Tony were very helpful in giving us direction to ensure the plans were done correctly.
Once we decided to go with Tricolour, couldn't have asked for a better outcome. They initially told us it would take 4-5 weeks to complete (done in 3-1/2 weeks) and would be available to start work first week of August (equipment arrived the Friday before).
They came in around 7am everyday, set up the protective tarps for our garden and the neighbour's house (we have a small laneway between the two houses, so all of the dirt came out the window). And they laid tarps down inside the house (from the back door to the basement) to protect our hardwood floors in the kitchen.
At the end of the day, they picked up the tarps and ensured the house was secure. And they ensured there was no mounds of dirt in the laneway thereby enabling us and our neighbours to have access to the backyard. On garbage day, they ensured the bins were moved from the sides of both houses to the street first thing in the morning and were returned to the their locations at the end of the day.
The best part of the experience, there were no surprises. They finished ahead of schedule, on budget and all the requisite building inspections with the city passed.
Since the work was completed, we've had no issues with any of their work (ejector pit for basement drainage, sump pump pit for the weeping tile, new drainage lines) and no dampness to speak of at all. And they were quick to respond when I had questions from my plumber about the drainage lines. I just wish the contractors we hired to finish the basement after the underpinning work were as reliable, efficient and tidy as Pat, Tony and crew.