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5 Best Basement Renovation Contractors in New York (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Brad Smith
By Brad Smith, Home Services Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

A New York basement isn't usable space until water is dealt with first, and the busiest of the basement renovation contractors in New York covered here has logged over 2,000 Google reviews on exactly that problem. Below-grade renovation in this city means waterproofing before finishing, and the contractors here span dedicated waterproofing specialists to full-service crews who can also frame and finish the space once it's dry.

Short answer: Quality 1st Basement Systems is the most-reviewed basement contractor in New York at 4.8 stars across 2,156 reviews, followed by A-1 Basement Solutions (4.9, 328 reviews) for French drain and waterproofing work. For finishing a dry basement into livable space, Zicklin Contracting Corp. (4.9, 103 reviews) is a strong pick. Get a written quote from each contractor, since waterproofing and finishing costs vary widely by scope.
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Basement Contractors in New York, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Quality 1st Basement Systems 4.8 2,156 Waterproofing at scale View ›
2 A-1 Basement Solutions 4.9 328 French drains, no pressure sales View ›
3 B Altmans Waterproofing 4.8 139 Foundation crack repair View ›
4 Zicklin Contracting Corp. 4.9 103 Finishing a dry basement View ›
5 Oberoi Construction - Masonry & Waterproofing NYC 4.8 110 Below-grade masonry & waterproofing View ›
5 Best Basement Renovation Contractors in New York (2026)

Our top picks for a New York basement

Quality 1st Basement Systems logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Quality 1st Basement Systems

4.82,156 Google reviews

Quality 1st Basement Systems is a waterproofing and concrete contractor serving the greater New York and New Jersey area, handling interior and exterior basement waterproofing, sump pump installation, and crawl space encapsulation. It runs a large, established operation with thousands of Google reviews describing sales consultations that walk homeowners through the process before any work begins. By review volume, it is the busiest basement specialist covering this market.

What people praise

  • Reviewers consistently describe honest, no-pressure sales consultations
  • Handles full waterproofing systems including sump pumps and French drains
  • Crews described as clean and efficient, often finishing in a single day
  • Massive review base gives high statistical confidence in the rating

Worth knowing

  • A large operation, so expect a structured sales process rather than a small-shop feel
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume2,156 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: By far the most-reviewed name on this page, with the volume to back it. The right first call for pure waterproofing before you think about finishing the space.

359 NJ-35 South, Cliffwood, NJ 07721

A-1 Basement Solutions logo
#2🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

A-1 Basement Solutions

4.9328 Google reviews

A-1 Basement Solutions specializes in drainage, crawl space encapsulation, basement waterproofing, and sump pump installation for New Jersey and New York homes, staffed entirely by W2 employees rather than subcontractors. Reviewers repeatedly praise the company's transparent, no-pressure approach to sales, contrasting it with competitors using high-pressure tactics. Several reviews describe systems still performing dry years after installation.

What people praise

  • In-house employees, no subcontracted crews
  • Reviewers specifically praise the absence of high-pressure sales tactics
  • Multiple reviewers report systems still dry years later
  • Careful, detail-oriented crews noted across reviews

Worth knowing

  • Focused on waterproofing and drainage, not finishing or framing work
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume328 · 92th
Confidencehigh
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown96% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A close second by rating and reviewers' comfort level, with a genuinely differentiated sales approach. Worth calling alongside Quality 1st for a second waterproofing quote.

26 North Ave, Garwood, NJ 07027

B Altmans Waterproofing logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

B Altmans Waterproofing

4.8139 Google reviews

B Altmans Waterproofing is a Staten Island-based waterproofing and foundation repair company, in business since 1992, using a proprietary liquid epoxy injection process to seal foundation cracks without digging a French drain. Reviewers describe the company diagnosing and fixing groundwater leaks that had persisted for years, with a lifetime transferable guarantee on the work. It focuses specifically on structural crack repair rather than full basement finishing.

What people praise

  • Lifetime transferable warranty on crack repairs
  • Reviewers report leaks resolved permanently, even years later
  • Owner personally examines foundation issues before quoting
  • Alternative to full French drain installation for some crack types

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer felt the fix, while ultimately effective, took longer to confirm than expected
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume139 · 86th
Confidencemoderate
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown94% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A specialist worth calling specifically for foundation cracks and active leaks, rather than a full basement renovation. Good complement to a finishing contractor once the water problem is solved.

304 Gower St building b, Staten Island, NY 10314

Zicklin Contracting Corp. logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

Zicklin Contracting Corp.

4.9103 Google reviews

Zicklin Contracting Corp. is a family-owned New York general contractor with 37-plus years in business, and basement renovation is a named specialty alongside kitchen and bathroom remodels across all five boroughs. Reviewers describe the company redoing basements including drain line repairs, and its own site describes basement finishing as making use of every square foot in a city where space is scarce. It is a rare name on this page that can handle both structural work and the finishing carpentry to make a basement livable.

What people praise

  • Handles both structural basement work and finishing in one company
  • Reviewers describe careful drain line and grading fixes
  • Nearly four decades of local track record
  • Own trucks for site cleanup and debris removal

Worth knowing

  • Basement work sits alongside a wide service list, so confirm crew availability for your timeline
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.9 / 5
Review volume103 · 75th
Confidencemoderate
Recency4 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown95% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The strongest pick here once your basement is dry and you want it turned into finished living space, not just waterproofed. A useful single call for both stages of the project.

99 Wall St Suite 172, New York, NY 10005

Oberoi Construction - Masonry & Waterproofing NYC logo
#5🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Oberoi Construction - Masonry & Waterproofing NYC

4.8110 Google reviews

Oberoi Construction - Masonry & Waterproofing NYC is a Queens-based contractor covering masonry, waterproofing, and roofing across New York City, with basement waterproofing and leak repair listed as core services alongside brick and stone work. Reviewers describe brickwork and structural repairs completed at prices notably lower than competing quotes, with the crew's attention to detail called out repeatedly. One reviewer reported a dispute over scope changes on a curb-cut permit job.

What people praise

  • Reviewers repeatedly note competitive pricing versus other quotes
  • Combines masonry and waterproofing expertise for below-grade work
  • 24/7 support hours listed for urgent issues
  • Detail-oriented crews noted across multiple reviews

Worth knowing

  • One reviewer reported a disputed scope change on a permit-dependent job; confirm scope and permit responsibilities in writing upfront
Reputation scorecardrank in New York
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume110 · 81th
Confidencemoderate
Recency6 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown91% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth considering when your basement project overlaps with exterior masonry or foundation work, given the combined specialty. Get the scope and any permit requirements spelled out clearly before work begins.

121-04 89th Ave, Richmond Hill, NY 11418

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Watch: 5 Best Basement Renovation Contractors in New York (2026)

How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the business’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against other New York basement contractors. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from over two thousand reviews carries more weight than a 5.0 from a hundred. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a basement renovation cost in New York? (2026)

None of the contractors on this page publish flat pricing, and cost depends heavily on the scope of the waterproofing and finishing work needed.

Serving all of New York

The contractors above cover Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the surrounding New Jersey suburbs, including Jersey City and Garwood. Searching for a basement contractor near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and address so you can reach the closest option fast.

What to ask before you hire a basement contractor

  • Is my basement problem waterproofing, structural repair, or finishing, and do you handle all three?
  • Do you use in-house crews or subcontractors?
  • What warranty do you offer, and is it transferable if I sell the home?
  • Will you assess exterior grading and gutters, not just interior symptoms?
  • Do you handle permits for egress windows or structural changes?
  • Is the estimate fixed-price, and what could change the final cost?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these basement contractors?

We started from every basement renovation, waterproofing, and finishing contractor in New York with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Should I waterproof before finishing my basement?

Yes. Finishing a basement that still has a moisture problem risks mold and repeat damage. Most contractors on this page recommend solving water intrusion first, then bringing in a finishing crew.

What causes a wet basement in New York?

Common causes include poor exterior grading, clogged gutters, a high water table, and cracked foundation walls. A proper assessment usually checks both the exterior of the home and the interior symptoms before recommending a fix.

The bottom line

Quality 1st Basement Systems is the safe default for waterproofing given its sheer review volume, while Zicklin Contracting is the one to call if you need the space finished afterward. Solve the water problem first, get the quote in writing, and confirm the warranty before signing.

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