# Keller Waterproofing & Foundation Specialists

**Trade:** Waterproofing / Foundation · **Address:** 165 Middlesex Ave Ste 1219, Somerville, MA 02145, USA · **Phone:** (857) 578-4100 · **Website:** https://kellerbasementne.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.1/5** (high confidence) — from 32 reviews across 5 sources. A 0–5 star rating built from what customers and the public say (every review and mention weighted by where it was posted, how old, how detailed and how credible it is, shrunk toward a 3.5★ baseline when evidence is thin) plus what the record shows (Reddit recommendations or warnings, a registry-verified licence, how recently they were reviewed, customer work photos, BBB grade, negative news, a revoked licence). Positive record counts only as far as the reviews have earned it; penalties count in full. Confidence describes how much weighted evidence stands behind the number, never the number itself: low when fewer than about five normal reviews' worth of weight (or mentions only) support it, medium up to about twenty, high beyond that across at least two sources. An operator flag for a suspicious review pattern caps a rating at 3.5★ and marks it low.
97% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 6 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Keller Waterproofing & Foundation Specialists is a family-run Somerville outfit built around Jim Keller, and the through-line across three dozen reviews spanning 2021 to today isn't just that the drainage systems hold up — it's how often Jim or his crew tell a homeowner they don't actually need the work. In a 2023 review, one customer wrote Jim was "the only one who gave it to me straight" after a long line of estimators tried to upsell; another that same year gave five stars to a visit where Jim did no work at all, just told them to do three things themselves and it fixed the problem.

When there is real work, it tends to be the hard kind. A 2025 review describes finishing out what began as termite damage and ended with rebuilding a crumbling 100-year-old fieldstone foundation; another, from late 2025, describes waterproofing a basement in a house over 160 years old. A 2023 review details a high water table pushing two sump pumps into constant operation and turning the backyard into a mosquito pond — Keller's fix addressed the whole system rather than patching the symptom prior contractors had left behind.

The written record backs the process up with specifics: French drains, sump pumps, exterior downspout rerouting, window-well fixes, and vapor barriers show up across jobs, usually after homeowners compared several quotes first. One reviewer chose Keller despite it being the priciest of three bids because the proposal was the most comprehensive. Warranty follow-through gets a mention too — one customer whose drainage pipe was accidentally damaged years after installation said Jim responded quickly and repaired it at a reasonable cost; the company also states it offers a lifetime guarantee on its work.

The record isn't spotless: in a 2023 review, a homeowner described a scheduled walkthrough that turned into a no-show with no call, and a 2024 review needed a couple of return visits before a post-project leak was fully resolved (the reviewer said the company stood behind the work until it was done). Both are isolated in an otherwise consistent run — there's been no negative review in the six most recent reviews.

The company's own site says it's been family-run since 1972; the Better Business Bureau's page instead credits it with 38 years in business, so treat either figure as approximate rather than settled. For a serious water or foundation problem, especially one other contractors have only half-fixed, this looks like a straight-shooting specialist worth a call.

**Strengths:**
- Turns down unneeded work — repeatedly tells customers what they don't need
- Takes on severe jobs — century-old foundations, high water tables
- Fast warranty follow-through after installation

**Concerns:**
- No-show reported — a 2023 review describes a missed walkthrough with no call

**Where sources disagree:**
- The company's website claims operation since 1972 (54 years); the BBB page instead credits it with 38 years in business

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- BBB lists the company as A+ accredited and reports a home improvement contractor registration number _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/somerville/profile/waterproofing-contractors/keller-waterproofing-foundation-specialists-0021-33585) — “BBB profile confirms Keller Waterproofing & Foundation Specialists in Somerville, MA as an A+ rated, BBB-accredited business since 2006 with…”
- Repeatedly turns down work customers didn't actually need _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURGaDVTQTJnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDFh5SA2gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We had a very similar experience to Julien below. He came out to our house for an estimate and instead of overselling for a problem we di…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNwdGQySHRRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICptd2HtQE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Giving 5 stars to Jim even though he didn’t do work for me! He came to my house for an estimate, but rather than finding problems and ove…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURlc09teDdnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDesOmx7gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Jim Keller came to my house himself and was the last in a long line of people here to give my family an estimate for our leaky basement. …”
- Takes on severe jobs — century-old foundations and high water tables others left unresolved _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tWSGJGRTVPRUpMZFRZNGNHZHRTV2t6TVhaU1RuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkVHbFE5OEJLdTY4cGdtSWkzMXZSTnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The Keller Waterproofing team did a great job waterproofing our >160 yr old basement.  They were efficient, worked diligently to meet our…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pKVGNVNDJZVFZqY1hCT1V6QlhYM0JpVUUxV2NXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjJTcU42YTVjcXBOUzBXX3BiUE1WcWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just had Keller Foundation systems in to finish what was the end of a nightmare basement issue that began with extensive termite damag…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN4dWMtMkxBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICxuc-2LA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ If you want your water problems solved properly, use Keller Waterproofing. They will save you money in the long run by diagnosing and com…”
- Responds quickly on warranty callbacks after installation _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pKNFVGZDNWMDE2VVdrMVZ6TnVUMFJsZW5ONFJtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjJ4UFd3V016UWk1VzNuT0RlenN4Rmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Original installation was great, new sump pump and underground drainage system diverts water far away from my foundation. After several y…”
- A 2023 review describes a scheduled walkthrough that became a no-show with no call _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNaNVBqUGJ3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICZ5PjPbw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ After scheduling a walkthrough weeks ago and organizing my holiday weekend around the visit, they no call no showed. We were putting off …”
- French drain installation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2kxaFRXZDVaSEl5YVRadGNHOXRZWGxsVldoRmFGRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOi1hTWd5ZHIyaTZtcG9tYXllVWhFaFE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Jim and his team at Keller Waterproofing exceeded our expectations on a recent basement project.  While we had quotes from other local co…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUM5NjVLTnZBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC965KNvAE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I had five companies come to my home to give me an estimate for a French drain system in my basement. The team that Jim sent was incredib…”
- Sump pump installation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pKNFVGZDNWMDE2VVdrMVZ6TnVUMFJsZW5ONFJtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjJ4UFd3V016UWk1VzNuT0RlenN4Rmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Original installation was great, new sump pump and underground drainage system diverts water far away from my foundation. After several y…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNtbnJqSzBnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICmnrjK0gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Great workmanship, high quality. Keller upgraded my outdoor sump pump  and I am very happy with the durability of the new system.”
- Exterior foundation drainage _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25wMWNqZ3pka3N4WWsweFJWTnZkRXRIVDFOUmFuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnp1cjgzdksxYk0xRVNvdEtHT1NRanc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The Keller team did a great job on my property. They were quick to come out for a quote, explained everything they recommended in detail,…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN4dWMtMkxBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICxuc-2LA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ If you want your water problems solved properly, use Keller Waterproofing. They will save you money in the long run by diagnosing and com…”
- Specializes in Waterproofing / Foundation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2kxaFRXZDVaSEl5YVRadGNHOXRZWGxsVldoRmFGRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOi1hTWd5ZHIyaTZtcG9tYXllVWhFaFE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Jim and his team at Keller Waterproofing exceeded our expectations on a recent basement project.  While we had quotes from other local co…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tWSGJGRTVPRUpMZFRZNGNHZHRTV2t6TVhaU1RuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkVHbFE5OEJLdTY4cGdtSWkzMXZSTnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The Keller Waterproofing team did a great job waterproofing our >160 yr old basement.  They were efficient, worked diligently to meet our…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTURvcHVYbUZnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x61f6ac3dd798ed1f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgMDopuXmFg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We had trouble with water entering our basement and at times it would be quite a bit of water.  We contacted Keller Waterproofing to figu…”

## Ownership

- Identifies as family-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified.

## License

Status: **not_found** — verified against the official MA state registry, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Keller%20Waterproofing%20%26%20Foundation%20Specialists&query_place_id=ChIJ8UbyoKkF5IkRH-2Y1z2s9mE): 4.8★ from 40 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Keller%20Waterproofing%20%26%20Foundation%20Specialists&query_place_id=ChIJ8UbyoKkF5IkRH-2Y1z2s9mE): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/somerville/profile/waterproofing-contractors/keller-waterproofing-foundation-specialists-0021-33585): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://kellerbasementne.com): 54 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://drybasementhub.com/listing/keller-waterproofing-foundation-specialists-somerville/): 5 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “Keller put in an excellent system when we had water in our basement after a big rain. Our basement has b” — mybasementpros.com — https://www.mybasementpros.com/contractors/keller-waterproofing-and-foundation-specialist/reviews

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Nini · 2026-06-13**: They have great customer service, very patient , and they get right to it.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Emoni Anderson · 2026-06-13**: They are very professional and get their job done very quickly within a reasonable time frame.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Cheyanne Torres · 2026-06-05**: i would definitely recommend this company as they have done work for my friends and it has always been on point
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Melvin N · 2026-04-16**: They did great job of waterproofing our exterior foundation walls.Would recommend them highly.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Gary Keen · 2026-04-12**: Jim and his team at Keller Waterproofing exceeded our expectations on a recent basement project.  While we had quotes from other local contractors, Jim’s decades of experience shone through.  We wanted a clean, safe, and dry basement - he talked options with us, and we ultimately went with a French …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Brendan Keenan · 2026-03-17**: I thought it would be timely to provide this review during torrential downpours. Keller Waterproofing and their skilled team have given us not only a totally dry garage (part of the basement), they have given us peace of mind.
We have had many major rain storms and just recently, a thaw of a lot of …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Chris Murray · 2025-12-18**: The Keller Waterproofing team did a great job waterproofing our >160 yr old basement.  They were efficient, worked diligently to meet our timeline, communicated clearly and went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with the results. I am so impressed with Keller!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Val Cabral · 2025-12-02**: The Keller team did a great job on my property. They were quick to come out for a quote, explained everything they recommended in detail, and got the job started not long after we confirmed we were ready to go. They redid our drainage including new gutters on the house, and it's been wonderful to NO…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · John Nicholson · 2025-11-03**: We just had Keller Foundation systems in to finish what was the end of a nightmare basement issue that began with extensive termite damage.  The last phase was our crumbling 100 year old fieldstone Foundation.  Jim's team came in and worked very long hours to complete this job which entailed the abo…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Steven O'Connell · 2025-10-09**: Jim was great to work with and the crew did an amazing job!
Highly recommend

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-01T17:35:15.665Z.
Cite as: Keller Waterproofing & Foundation Specialists — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/keller-waterproofing-and-foundation-specialists-somerville)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/keller-waterproofing-and-foundation-specialists-somerville