I think you might want to call an independent rather than contractor I am not sure what this person would be called in your area but it would be something like 'surveyor'. A person who inspects buildings prior to purchase is who I mean. If the problem is only exterior and you have no damp or mold in doors it may be as simple as grading the soil to run away from the house. Is this a new house?

Over here in the humid Southern Piedmont, we have basement dampness caused by high water tables/clay soil.

There are companies that specialize in making basements dry. Google for "damp basement" in your area.

We have drains around the exterior of the foundation as well as a special liner for the interior of the basement walls.

There are paints for masonry walls that help with dampness but not with actual wet conditions.

All of our downspouts feed into the exterior drains.

Hope this gives you some idea of the possible procedures for making your basement dry.

I am extremely allergic to molds/mildew; keeping things dry in the humid South is a task.

Take your time to really find the right person. It may be a landscape contractor, or maybe a drainage expert.

I had a friend, who called me about 15 years ago about a "high water table" he was told about from 2 separate drainage experts (supposedly). In his yard, that is.

When I went to his house, my first question was "why do you suppose your yard is forested with large Ponderosa Pine and Oaks if you have a high water table?"

He said something like "I should have noticed that, I have a degree in forestry". (which he didn't use in years).

Anyhow, I told him that he probably had a compacted layer of soil at the surface or a few inches down that was holding up the drainage. We rototilled the soil and ammended it. That completely fixed the problem - no more wet spots or standing water.

So...those were supposed to be drainage experts.

My background was country clubs and college training for landscape and soils. But as a landscape person, I know that only a few landscape contractors have really mastered drainage and problem solving for water problems.

Among the drainage contractors, it's a mixed breed too. Good ones and bad ones.

The drainage solution thing is a matter of what you do see, and maybe what you don't see. Water under a house could be as unique as an old mole tunnel leading to another yard near where water deposits from somebody's gutter.

Hopefully this does not sound too far fetched, but you know those kind of guys that do Saturday morning radio shows on home improvements? I'd try calling one of them for a lead if you don't find a solutions another way. Those radio show guys usually have a very good network going in a city.

Your problem has been around for several months or more. Don't rush in the contractor hunt. Finding a good drainage contractor may be a bit more challenging than locating a good termite exterminator.