When the heavy rain comes my basement gets wet.  Thinking about calling some contractors in to get it waterproofed.  Any experiences, or things I should look out for?

Main thing is there are lots of scammers in the business..

Check for references and get at least 3 estimates to be certain.

In Ohio, call Ever-Dry.  They did my home, tore up concrete along inside perimeter walls to add inner drain tile, new sump pump well, and sump-pump.
They also added drain tile on the outside perimeter about 3 feet down.  Also installed this:  http://ezbreathe.com/

I had B-Dry come over for quote/plan, all they do is add plastic sheeting to walls, did not like their plans.

First and foremost make sure your gutters are clean an your downspouts take water away from your foundation. Even if you have to add pipe. Secondly, make sure there is pitch away from your foundation.
Two biggest problems with water infiltration that people overlook.

Second the motion on calling Everdry. Worked for them in Michigan for a year and their system works great. Even did a couple friends homes on the side and there still dry 20yrs later.

The interior drain and sump is kind of a passive approach, but it gets the water that ENTERS your house a path out.
You are still getting water into your basement through your walls.
Do not put waterproofing on the walls on the inside.  This traps water in the foundation walls.

If you can afford it and if the house is worth it to you, waterproof the walls from the outside and provide a drain tile on the outside.
There are several systems available and products.
Don't just "tar" the walls.

Also, be sure that the water is entering through the walls and not up through the floor.
Floor repairs are a different animal.

No, don't call NeverDry. Worst rip off ever. I spent north of 14K and it took 6 years and a lawyer to get my basement dry. I still am not happy, as now I have three sump crocs in my basement.













 

The water is coming from the floor.

No, that's where you first see the water.  What is the source of the water?  Bad drainage around house?  Improperly placed gutter downspouts?  Leaking gutter joints?  Leaking water pipe in ground?

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You need to work outside the basement to channel water away from the basement.

grade the land away from the basement, put in french drains, or channel the water from the down spouts away from the basement

or all 3 depending on what is going on.

We are currently looking at waterproofing also.  We are considering it as preventative prior to finishing our basement.  We have just noticed some small amounts of water near the basement doors in heavy rains and high humidity.  We currently have two dehumidifiers and they are constantly running.

One guy came out on Saturday to give us an estimate.  They specifically request both husband and wife be there for the appointment.  It was a high pressure, scare you to death and convince you that your house is about to be washed away in the river running below your house.  He spent an hour in the basement measuring and hitting the floors and walls with a hammer.  After he left my wife said she was nervous at first than she realized he was full of crap the more he talked.  The estimate was a little over $19k but he was willing to do it for $17k if we signed up right then.  He was pissed that we didn't sign that day.

The second guy came out on Tuesday.  He looked at our house, never measured anything, and told us to put some new seals on the door and fix some drainage outside.  Waterproofing isn't necessary for our basement.  He said to have the dehumidifiers drain outside and everything should be gtg.

We have a third appointment next week.

Good luck OP.

 

You can actually do a bit yourself to help the situation:

-Grade soilbetter away from the foundation
-Insert Tile Drain around foundation esp at key areas.
-lengthen downspout drailn exit
-Thoroseal paint for basement walls.

Sometimes, I wish we had basements here in Texas...




...and sometimes, I'm glad we don't.